Levels Of Analysis And The Stu

Three levels of analysis, each with its own distinct strength, reveals three different ways of understanding international relations. The first states that all nation-states behave similarly, the second emphasizes the unique internal factors of a nation-state, while the third level of analysis focuses on the individual deciding a state’s course of action. Each level of analysis is useful in the study of international relations. Indeed, used all together, it is not long before arriving at a point where a vast number of explanations for the actions of a country are brought to light. However, to best understand international relations, one level of analysis is more useful than the rest, because it provides the most comprehensive investigation into the conditions which influence a nation’s actions. This, most involved level, is the third level of analysis: it takes into account the not simply the individual who ultimately makes the decision, but the individuals who influence the decision-making individual, as well as what might influence those who exert their influence. Because the third level of analysis is so in-depth, it can discover the deeper reasons behind an action taken by a nation, even possibly finding fault in a conclusion made by the first or second level of analysis. More so, what makes this level the best means to understand international relations is that because the third level of analysis considers what influences might effect the decision-making individual, and therefore it can be seen upon a closer examination that the inferences found in first and second levels of analysis can furthermore be found within the third level of analysis. So then, the third level of analysis is the best level at which to approach the study of international relations.

As previously stated, the third level of analysis encompasses all the possible influences upon the decision making individual. Unlike level one and level two, the third level of analysis can go beyond the assumption of a monolithic state. In addition, it can do so without losing the ability to consider the state as such. Depending on the model used, the level three analysis can either probe into a deeper dimension to seek out the reasons for a state’s behavior by looking at different groups that influence the decision maker (as in the organi...

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...lusions about how and why a county may react; yet, to fully understand what drives these actions it is necessary to take a level three approach. It probes into the depths of the decision making process and exposes the limitless possibilities created by influences and perceptions. And it does this without losing its capacity for a simple approach; thus, giving it a distinct advantage over the other two levels of analysis. Using the chess game analogy, it can focus on each of the individual pieces used in the game, or simply the person playing it. In addition, another advantage of the level three analysis is that it encompasses all the basic elements of the first and second levels because of its capacity to examine the perceptions of the individual originating from their individual applications of the first and second levels of analysis. The level three analysis cuts to the core of the decision making process, and afterall, countries take the course of action that their leaders decide. It is only at this level that a full and completely comprehensive understanding can be reached; and therefore, the third level of analysis is the best approach to the study of international relations.