POL208Y1 Chapter : The Level of Analysis Notes.pdf
Document Summary
Whether in the physical or social sciences, the observer may choose to focus upon the parts or upon the whole, upon the components or on the system ! It is the job of the scholar to pick the appropriate level of analysis from the various options available to him! Some scholars think that the issue of levels of analysis has been resolved within the. Eld of international relations however this author thinks it is still a relevant issue! It is the purpose of this paper to raise the issue, articulate the alternatives, and examine the theoretical implications and consequences of two of the more widely employed levels of analysis: the international system and the national sub-systems ! Rst and foremost is an accurate description of the phenomena! This description must present an undistorted picture of what is happening and have some sort of empirical proof (as much as possible)!