scholarly journals Methodological Individualism and Holism in Political Science: A Reconciliation

2013 ◽  
Vol 107 (4) ◽  
pp. 629-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRISTIAN LIST ◽  
KAI SPIEKERMANN
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Political Science ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
International Relations Theory ◽  
Social Network Theory ◽  
Ethnic Conflicts ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Social Entities ◽  
Attitudes And Behavior

Political science is divided between methodological individualists, who seek to explain political phenomena by reference to individuals and their interactions, and holists (or nonreductionists), who consider some higher-level social entities or properties such as states, institutions, or cultures ontologically or causally significant. We propose a reconciliation between these two perspectives, building on related work in philosophy. After laying out a taxonomy of different variants of each view, we observe that (i) although political phenomena result from underlying individual attitudes and behavior, individual-level descriptions do not always capture all explanatorily salient properties, and (ii) nonreductionistic explanations are mandated when social regularities are robust to changes in their individual-level realization. We characterize the dividing line between phenomena requiring nonreductionistic explanation and phenomena permitting individualistic explanation and give examples from the study of ethnic conflicts, social-network theory, and international-relations theory.

THE FIRST MODERN REALIST: FELIX GILBERT'S MACHIAVELLI AND THE REALIST TRADITION IN INTERNATIONAL THOUGHT

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 681-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
NICOLAS GUILHOT
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Political Science ◽  
International Relations Theory ◽  
Security Studies ◽  
Historical Scholarship ◽  
Global Power ◽  
The Us ◽  
New Interpretation ◽  
International Thought

In the disciplines of political science and international relations, Machiavelli is unanimously considered to be “the first modern realist.” This essay argues that the idea of a realist tradition going from the Renaissance to postwar realism founders when one considers the disrepute of Machiavelli among early international relations theorists. It suggests that the transformation of Machiavelli into a realist thinker took place subsequently, when new historical scholarship, informed by strategic and political considerations related to the transformation of the US into a global power, generated a new picture of the Renaissance. Focusing on the work of Felix Gilbert, and in particular hisMachiavelli and Guicciardini, the essay shows how this new interpretation of Machiavelli was shaped by the crisis of the 1930s, the emergence of security studies, and the philanthropic sponsorship of international relations theory.

scholarly journals The Political Consequences of Be(com)ing Mindful. How Mindfulness Might Affect Political Attitudes

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Ramstetter
Keyword(s):  
Political Science ◽  
Political Attitudes ◽  
The Political ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Ample Evidence ◽  
Political Consequences ◽  
Mechanisms Of Mindfulness ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Attitudes And Behavior ◽  
Pro Social Behavior

Though research provides ample evidence that mindfulness shapes psychological processes and states that are linked to political attitudes and behavior, political science has so far largely ignored mindfulness as a potential explanatory factor shaping political attitudes and actions. This literature review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the concept of mindfulness and outlines potential linkages between mindfulness and outlines political attitudes. I begin by identifying gaps in the literature on political attitude formation and change as well as its linkage to political behavior. I then introduce mindfulness as a multifaceted concept, discussing its definitional features and unravelling the mechanisms of mindfulness affecting cognitive and emotional abilities. Building on this foundation, I review research on correlates and effects of mindfulness on attitudes and behaviors related to the political domain, such as pro-environmentalism and pro-social behavior. Critically reflecting on extant research on mindfulness, I propose possible research avenues for political science that enhance its dialogue with neuroscience and social psychology.

Gender and Political Cognition: Integrating Evolutionary Biology and Political Science

1989 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger D. Masters
Keyword(s):  
Political Science ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Scientific Explanation ◽  
Cultural Anthropology ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Political Leaders ◽  
Cognitive Reactions ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Attitudes And Behavior ◽  
Political Cognition

Although men and women often differ in political attitudes and behavior, there is no widely accepted scientific explanation of such phenomena. After surveying evidence concerning gender differences in the fields of social psychology, ethology, neurology, cultural anthropology, and political science, five hypotheses concerning the way males and females respond to social cues are derived from the neo-Darwinian theory of natural selection. The predicted differences in the mode of political cognition are then shown to be consistent with findings from experimental studies of emotional and cognitive reactions to televised facial displays of political leaders.

International theory: new directions?

1981 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Brown
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Political Science ◽  
International Relations Theory ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Great Debate ◽  
International Theory ◽  
New Directions ◽  
Potential Sources ◽  
The 1960S

The last ‘great debate’ in international relations theory occurred in the 1960s, was concerned primarily with matters of method rather than substance, and eventually was called off due to lack of interest. The battle between ‘traditionalists’ and ‘scientists’ was short-lived. The so-called ‘post-behavioural’ revolution in political science conceded some part of the traditionalist case, but the more significant factor in the conclusion of the debate was the prevalence of an attitude of live and let live. Tolerance over method is a virtue in a relatively underdeveloped discipline, for who can predict the shape of future knowledge or the potential sources of insight? Unfortunately, a by-product of tolerance over methodological issues has been the development of such differences over matters of substance that the existence of a coherent discipline is called into question. Perhaps a new ‘great debate’ is called for, this time on matters of substance.

International Relations Theory, International Law, and the Regime Governing Atrocities in Internal Conflicts

1999 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 361-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth W. Abbott
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
International Law ◽  
Political Science ◽  
Human Dignity ◽  
International Relations Theory ◽  
Ir Theory ◽  
Internal Conflicts ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Cross Fertilization

Over the last ten years, international relations (IR) theory, a branch of political science, has animated some of the most exciting scholarship in international law.1 If a true joint discipline has not yet emerged,2 scholars in both fields have clearly established the value of interdisciplinary cross-fertilization. Yet IR—like international law—comprises several distinct theoretical approaches or “methods.” While this complexity makes interactions between the disciplines especially rich, it also makes them difficult to explore concisely. This essay thus constitutes something of a minisymposium in itself: it summarizes the four principal schools of IR theory—conventionally identified as “realist,” “institutionalist,” “liberal” and “constructivist”—and then applies them to the norms and institutions governing serious violations of human dignity during internal conflicts (the “atrocities regime”).

scholarly journals The Link between HR Attributions and Employees’ Turnover Intentions

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Caesaria Tandung
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Turnover Intention ◽  
Turnover Intentions ◽  
Human Resources Management ◽  
Intention To Leave ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Hr Practices ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Attitudes And Behavior

Human Resources Management (HRM) is part of the organizational functions that contribute to the effectiveness of a firm’s performance, and brings an organization a competitive advantage through the implementation of its Human Resources (HR) practices. HR practices adopted by management are perceived or attributed subjectively by individual employees, and can in turn affect the employees’ attitudes and behavior (e.g. Job satisfaction and turnover intention). The purpose of this study is to contribute to the process-based approach by investigating the effect of HR attributions on turnover intentions, with job satisfaction playing a mediating role. The analysis is on the individual level, with 454 respondents from various organizations within the Netherlands. The results show that HR attributions can affect the turnover intention, through the presence of job satisfaction. Thus, it can be said that it is important to always consider the employees’ attitudes and behavior when examining their perception of HR practices, and in predicting their intention to leave.

Delegation to International Organizations: Agency Theory and World Bank Environmental Reform

2003 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel L. Nielson ◽  
Michael J. Tierney
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Agency Theory ◽  
World Bank ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
International Relations Theory ◽  
Institutional Reforms ◽  
Member States ◽  
The World Bank ◽  
And Behavior

Current international relations theory struggles to explain both the autonomy and transformation of international organizations (IOs). Previous theories either fail to account for any IO behavior that deviates from the interests of member states, or neglect the role of member states in reforming IO institutions and behavior. We propose an agency theory of IOs that can fill these gaps while also addressing two persistent problems in the study of IOs: common agency and long delegation chains. Our model explains slippage between member states' interests and IO behavior, but also suggests institutional mechanisms—staff selection, monitoring, procedural checks, and contracts—through which states can rein in errant IOs. We evaluate this argument by examining multiple institutional reforms and lending patterns at the World Bank from 1980 to 2000.

scholarly journals Attitudinal Ambivalence

Psychology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Cavazza ◽  
Vincent Pillaud ◽  
Fabrizio Butera
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Attitudinal Ambivalence ◽  
The Individual ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Attitudes And Behavior ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role

Research on attitudinal ambivalence started in the early 1970s, forty years after the first wave of research on attitudes. Ambivalent attitudes consist of both positive and negative evaluations of the same object. Early approaches proposed different measurement methods, and ambivalence can now be measured either directly (referred to as “felt ambivalence”) or indirectly (referred to as “potential ambivalence”). Because of its duality, ambivalence has been studied in comparison with univalent attitudes—which consist of either positive or negative evaluations of an object—to uncover their specific features, antecedents, and consequences. Relevant research has focused on identifying the prevalence of ambivalent attitudes, and on whether they could stem from particular personality traits or situations. Researchers have found that ambivalent attitudes seem to be widespread and can be held for a long period of time. Their relationship with behaviors has also been widely studied. At the individual level, ambivalence increases response latency when a choice has to be made, extends information processing, can affect attitude stability, and can even lead to discomfort. At the behavioral level, studies have highlighted the moderating role of attitudinal ambivalence on the relationship between attitudes and behavior. A different field of research focuses on its strength to question whether ambivalence leads to more resistance or susceptibility to persuasion and influence. It appears that ambivalent attitudes are pliable and, depending on the context, can either help individuals to be more adaptive or prevent them from arriving at a satisfying conclusion. The role of ambivalent attitudes in interpersonal relationships and self-presentation also highlight some benefits in holding an ambivalent attitude. This article opens by reviewing general overviews to provide a detailed picture of the current state of research. It then presents early approaches to attitudinal ambivalence, and reviews studies that highlight the moderating role of attitudinal ambivalence on the relationship between attitudes and behavior, as well as studies that question whether ambivalence might lead to more resistance or susceptibility to persuasion and influence. The article then focuses on the impact of ambivalence at the individual level. Antecedents of attitudinal ambivalence will be reviewed, as well as its consequences on the individual. The article concludes by presenting research questioning its functions as well as some applied work.

Exploring the Role of Medical and Consumer Articles in the Diffusion of Information related to Medical Change

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelagh K. Genuis
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Information Use ◽  
Social Network Theory ◽  
Human Influence ◽  
Diffusion Of Information ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Current Emphasis

Using content analysis, this study provides theoretical means for reconciling social network theory focusing on human influence in information use and behavior change, and current emphasis in medical fields on the principle role of published literature in guiding and changing clinical practice. Trust enhancing features within published articles are explored.En utilisant l’analyse de contenu, cette étude présente les moyens théoriques pour relier la théorie du réseau social en convergeant sur l’influence humaine de l’utilisation de l’information et sur le changement de comportement, de même que sur l’impact courant des domaines médicaux sur le rôle principal de la littérature publiée pour guider et modifier les pratiques cliniques. Les caractéristiques facilitant la confiance à propos des articles publiés sont explorées. 

scholarly journals Hard International Law-Contributing Organizations as Networks

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 413-426
Author(s):  
Charles Boehmer ◽  
Renato Corbetta
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
International Law ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
International System ◽  
International Relations Theory ◽  
Conflict Behavior ◽  
Intergovernmental Organizations ◽  
Affiliation Networks ◽  
Potential Impact

AbstractThis paper explores the networks that intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) create in the international system and explore how states relate to each other in such networks. It focuses in particular on the network of IGOs that act as creators of and agents for hard international law. We introduce new data that allows us to investigate which institutional traits and functions are most closely related to IGOs’ contribution to the implementation and enforcement of informal international law. We map out and explore the network of “highly legalized” IGOs for the years 1980–2005 as well as the affiliation networks emerging from states’ membership in such IGOs. Combining international relations theory with network theory, we raise novel hypotheses on the potential impact of highly legalized IGO networks on states’ conflict behavior and peace.

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