Critique on the levels of analysis
CRITIQUE ON THE LEVEL-OF-ANALYSIS PROBLEM IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS BY J. DAVID SINGER At the beginning of J. David Singer's article, he first made use of simple conditions to dwell on and thus establishing the essence of having a model and a point of focus in one's examination of a particular phenomena that emphasizes on the political environment of a country. I agree when he cited that we tend to be at ease with our present status and for that reason, our drive to move forward to a better position is delayed because our concentration has been spread out and consequently, we fail to start.This essay points out the theoretical implications and consequences of the two of the most widely used models in rationalizing a state's international relations. These are the International System and the National State as levels of analysis. The author also provided a brief discussion on the key elements in analyzing a model. He stressed that it should be descriptive, explanatory and predictive. To me, this implies that the construction of a model for the purpose of one's analysis, is somewhat sophisticated in the manner of its technique and attributed mainly to the ontological positions holding the study. The relativity of one's in
Its attention to detail gives off a comprehensive understanding of the topic as oppose to the generalizations made by the International System. Boundaries are established as to what extent it could cover and thus grasping only what is relevant. Given in the article, it is the primary actor in international relations. Singer also provided that this approach has a tendency for overexagerration. As for the method to employ, I lean more on the National State as a level of analysis. This problem could be settled if the observer will acknowledge the limits of his basis for comparison and the extent to which his expertise could impart to his study. There is also issue of the goal-seeking problem in this analysis. Its attention to the different factors that sums up the whole of the phenomena can be taken as something tedious for someone to do. It gives off more emphasis to the subject itself rather than that of its relationship with its externalities. It is in the idea of comparing two subjects with the same set of properties that makes it a feasible contrast. Also, if one would decide to work on this particular level of analysis, he should also be willing to work with the same focus and attention to detail for his chosen counter-issue. It may do so but the impact may not be of essence to one as that it would create in the other. But since the scope of the study is limited within the nation itself, it may be appropriate to ask as to what objective the state actors have in mind in directing the state. It should be stated to lead the scholar to the understanding and appreciation of an action.
Common topics in this essay:
International System,
Ptolemaic Parochialism,
David Singer's,
System National,
international system,
DAVID SINGER,
international relations,
action it's,
level analysis,
homogenized image,
attention detail,
|