IR Levels of Analysis
International relations, or the relationships and interactions between different nations and ethnicities, is inherently complex, both in practice and as an academic discipline. Levels of Analysis are the building blocks that are faced by all students and academics when they seek to build an analysis. Without separating these, such as with the levels of analysis, it would be a difficult task to make enough sense of things to build, or utilize, a theory that would allow us to pose viable answers to research questions regarding IR.
Most of the scholars mention three level of analysis in IR but we will read about four level of analysis. Let's understand them one by one
Systematic level
The systematic level comprises the global system in its entirety and looks at issues like the distribution of political power, the economic system, global governance (international organizations, laws and norms) and the diffusion of technology
Comprehensive overview of interactions between actor.
Identification of patterns of interactions in the system that will enable us to offer generalized information/findings about the behavior of states.
It also considers how these factors create conditions that impose themselves structurally on the other levels.
State level
In this level analysis argue that the international system level tells only part of the story of international relations, but looking at the backgrounds of states, type of government, economic performance, geography, history and cultural values and can offer a more complete explanation.
A state-level analyst could point to the collapse of the USSR's economy in the 1980s as one of the factors leading to the end of the Cold War.
Higher possibility for generalizations through comparing states/actors
Analyze decision-making processes
Individual level
This level of IR looks at the behavior and decisions of people both in governmental and non-governmental roles, examining their beliefs, fears and their personalities.
Emphasizes the "great man in history" concept.
Now leaders are taking active role in determine international relations
Thus we can say impact of individual leader in order to shape nation's interest like Nehru strategies to gain independence in India. Adolf Hitler leadership; another would be when scholars attribute the end of the Cold War to the relationship between President Reagan and Soviet leader Gorbachev.
Marxism level
Marxism, however, does not rely simply on individual, state or international levels, but sees class as the category that underlies all political relations.
The wealthy, capital-holding class exerts power over the working class, and will continue to do so until the working class gains control over the means of production.
In the Marxist view, it is class relations that motivate and underlie decisions at the individual, state and international levels.
Conclusion
Thus, while mentioning students are advised to mention only three level of fourth could be mentioned if Marxism is mentioned into your chapter. These different level helps res
researchers, academicians and students to be time specific while reading IR.
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