2.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
&
LEVEL OF ANALYSIS

Introduction to International Relations

Instructor: Le Ngoc Thao Nguyen
(MA. Global Politics)

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I. LEVEL OF ANALYSIS

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 I. LEVELS OF ANALYSIS

Level of Analysis
– Global level: all global trends, forces and factors
need to be taken in to account

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 II. LEVEL OF ANALYSIS

- Interstate level:
Interactions among states need
to be taken into account in
the formation of state’s
motive, behaviours, and
results.

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 II. LEVEL OF ANALYSIS

– Domestic level: all domestic forces and interest groups’

influences on one state’s relations with others.
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 II. LEVEL OF ANALYSIS

– Individual level:
psychological features,
personal awareness,
choice decision
making process, and
personal activities of
individuals involved in
international relations

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 individual
personality
awareness
activities
Choices

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Levels of analysis in International Relations
II. MAJOR THEORIES

“A theory is a collection
of propositions that
combine to explain
phenomena by
specifying the
relationships among a set
of concepts. It is a story
of “why” a relationship
exists between those
concepts.” (p.68)

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 II. MAJOR THEORIES
MAJOR THEORIES IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Realism
• Classical realism
• Neo-Realism
2. Liberalism (Pluralism)
• Classical liberalism
• Neo-Liberalism
3. Radical Theories
• Marxism & Neo-Marxism
• Leninism
4. Constructivism 9
Let’s have a quick survey!

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1. REALISM
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bellum omnium contra omnes
or the war of all against all
(Thomas Hobbes 1651)
 REALISM
State as the only
and unitary & survival
RATIONAL actor
Power

Anarchy Self-help

IR = pursuit of power to
secure national interests

Conficts as main course in IR

 Athens vs. Sparta

Before invading Melos, Athens asked if Melos would

voluntarily join Athens without the cost of a war...
Neo-REALISM

l Neo-Realism:
- Adding outside factor: emphasizing the impact of
international system
- Proposing new approach: analysing IR in term of
systemic level

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A realist structure

Defensive
Realism
BALANCE
OF
POWER

Offensive
Realism
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Always feel insecured...
The world order
EMERGING POWERS

EMPIRE POWERS

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2. LIBERALISM
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 Human nature is not defective,
but rather, problems arise as
humanity enters civil society
and forms separate nations.
(Montesquieu) War is a product of society

e” e
t) ac ac
an Pe f pe
l K al o
ue etu ne
an rp zo
m e g
m “P in
(I > nd
== p a
Ex
Rational actors
Mutual respect for mutual goods
 LIBERALISM

Nature rights of Harmony of interests

human>rights of states = absolute gains

Cooperation
World Peace
in IR
Neo-LIBERALISM

l Neo-Liberalism:
– State is not the only actor in IR  existence of mix-
actors (state & non-state actors)
– Anarchy of “friends” with cooperative potential:
peace is achievable
– IR is interdependent process.
– Emphases on roles of Democracy, Market economy
and Institution.
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Complex interdependence
(Keohane & Nye)

International Trade
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 IR MODELS IN TERM OF THEORIES

l REALISM: l LIBERALISM:
Billiard Ball Model Cobweb Model

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