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International
Relations-PSC 201
VU
LESSON
32
SYSTEMS
APPROACH TO IR
What
is Systems Theory?
System
theory is the attempt to understand
international relations as a set of
observable, understandable
patterns
between the actors that are
elements of the international
system.
Basic
Definitions
System:
a
collection of elements related to
each other by some pattern of
behavior and actions
System
Theory: explanation of
observed patterns in international
events by attributing those
patterns to the
characteristics
of the international system
Underlying
Assumptions
There
are patterns that can be
observed in international events.
Actors in international relations
comprise a
system.
The patterns we can observe
in international relations are due
(in part) to the characteristics of
the
international
system.
Elements
of the System
·
National
Actors
·
Inter-Governmental
Organizations (IGO's)
·
Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGO's)
·
Multi-national
Corporations (MNC's)
·
Other
Groups (organized or
not)
·
Individuals
Rules
of the System
Rules
are statements which define
actions which are required,
forbidden or permitted. Patterns in
the
system
are often due to the
generally accepted rules about
how to conduct IR (when it comes to
alliance
behavior
for example). There are also
a range of acceptable or expected
responses enabling states to
predict
the
behavior of other
states.
System
Poles
The
term pole comes from the
concept of polarity in electrodynamics. A
system pole can be a
single
country
(USA), a single country with
its client states (USSR +
Eastern Europe), or a group of
actors
(NATO
or the EU)
Relevant
Vocabulary
Polarity
- two
opposing points
Conduct
-
carry out
Characteristics
-
defining features
Patterns
things done
in similar ways
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International
Relations-PSC 201
VU
Suggested
Readings
Students
are advised to read the
following chapters to develop a better understanding
of the various
principals
highlighted in this hand-out:
Section
on Systems Approach in Chapter 1 of
`"A Study of International Relations" by
Dr. Sultan Khan
Internet
Resources
In
addition to reading from the
textbook, please visit the
following web-pages for this
lecture, which
provide
useful and interesting
information:
The
Comparative World Systems
Approach
www.irows.ucr.edu/cd/courses/125/readings/chap2.htm