POLI 244 Lecture : Outline for Levels of Analysis Lectures.pdf
30 Nov 2012
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Reason for discriminating levels of analysis: to simplify analysis focus on one level makes analysis easier, facilitates comparison of arguments. First level: individual level (focuses on characteristics and attributes of individuals) Human nature (people are sinful, selfish, power seeking, masculine/feminine, etc. ) cognition (perceptions vs. misperceptions of reality) rational actors (people have preferences and pursue them) Strengths: most often used/encountered (by journalists and popular writers, etc. ) Bureaucratic actors (e. g. foreign affairs office vs. military) Domestic politics (political parties and their rivalries) Economic differences (sector vs. factor differences within the economy; also type of economic policies: free market vs. government directed, etc. ) revolutionary vs. status quo states (looking to change the status quo or leave it; ex: Strengths: better able to explain variation (which reflects interactions of actors within the state; e. g. foreign policy differences between chretien and harper govts) In international relations, system defined in terms of anarchy (lack of hierarchy).
