scholarly journals International Competition Below the Threshold of War: Toward a Theory of Gray Zone Conflict

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Javier Jordan
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Armed Conflict ◽  
International Relations Theory ◽  
International Competition ◽  
Gray Zone ◽  
Strategic Action ◽  
Characteristic Features ◽  
Definition Of

Drawing on existing literature, this research offers a theoretical delineation of the gray zone conflict, that is, conflict below the threshold of armed conflict. It begins by identifying the characteristic features attributed to the gray zone to propose a definition of the concept. It then situates gray zone conflict within the framework of the International Relations theory of Realism before setting out the main lines of strategic action used. Lastly, it examines the various levels of escalation that can arise in conflict of this nature.

Rationality in International Relations

1998 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 919-941 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miles Kahler
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Rational Choice ◽  
International Competition ◽  
Structural Constraints ◽  
Level Playing Field ◽  
Rational Decision ◽  
Playing Field ◽  
Rational Decision Making ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Social Entities

Rationalist models have faced four persistent sets of critics as the research program of international relations has evolved. Under neorealism's structural constraints of international competition and selection, agents' rationality may appear superfluous. Psychological critics have presented neither a single theoretical alternative to rational choice nor contingent hypotheses that specify when psychological distortions of rational decision making are most likely. Both rational choice and psychological approaches must construct models of action for social entities that aggregate individuals. The rationality and individualism of beliefs is questioned by theorists who stress culture, identity, and norms as independent sources of action. Careful stipulation of scope, acknowledgment of methodological shortcomings, and precise definition of differences can serve to bridge the theoretical divide between rational choice models and their critics. Problem-centered research provides a level playing field on which theoretical competition can be established.

PARADIPLOMACY AS A NEW ARCHITECTUREOF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2019 ◽  
pp. 311-315
Author(s):  
О.V. DUBROVINA ◽  
R.R. SALAMOV
Keyword(s):  
Functional Analysis ◽  
International Relations ◽  
Systematic Approach ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Scientific Article ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Analysis And Synthesis ◽  
Characteristic Features ◽  
Definition Of

The purpose of this scientific article is to study the paradiplomacy that acts as the new architecture of international relations. In this context, the article presents theoretical approaches to the definition of the concept of paradiplomacy and reveals its characteristic features. In addition, the role and importance of paradiplomacy in strengthening modern international relations are determined. The main methods of this scientific research are analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, a systematic approach, the institutional method and structural-functional analysis.

scholarly journals The Concept of War in Political Realism

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (11) ◽  
pp. 104-127
Author(s):  
Sergey A. Kucherenko
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Just War ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Just War Theory ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
International Relations Theory ◽  
Political Realism ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Principles Of War

The article deals with the concept of war in modern political realism. Realism claims to have an original notion of war, which distinguishes it from empirical war studies and from other schools in international relations theory. Realism does not have a strict formal definition of war like empirical studies do, it focuses on understanding the causes and nature of war instead. The distinction between realism and other international relations theories like idealism, Marxism or constructivism consists in the realist notion of politics. Realism understands politics as an eternal struggle for power that underlies all social life, while war is the most intense manifestation of this struggle. Thus, the possibility of war cannot be eradicated. The article shows the normative aspects of such understanding of war. Realism, unlike pacifism or just war theory, is less enthusiastic about ethical or legal regulation of war; furthermore, it shows the dangers that may be caused by political moralism and “criminalization” of war. On the other hand, realism fails to provide a set of norms or principles that would surpass the just war principles. The realist principles of national interest and prudence are as vague, unclear and prone to misuse as classic just war principles are. Author draws a conclusion that to be able to create a valid set of principles of war, realism needs to further converge with international relations theory schools and “enlarge” the set of its base theoretical notions.

scholarly journals Shades of Gray in the War in Eastern Ukraine: ‘Neither War nor Peace’ Existence Zones, ‘Neither Truth nor Lie’ Silence Zones

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 166-187
Author(s):  
Maxim Bulyk ◽  
Irina Gridina
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Russian Federation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Gray Zone ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
Hybrid War ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Vladimir Putin ◽  
New Phenomena ◽  
Qualitative Characteristics

Abstract The concepts of ‘gray zone conflict’, as one of the new phenomena in the theory of international relations, are given considerable attention in modern strategic researches of analysts, in particular American ones (Hel Brands, Adam Elkus, etc.). The definition of ‘gray zone conflict’ by American political scientists coincides with the definitions of domestic scholars in outlining the hybrid war in general, and Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine in particular. At the same time, qualifying the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and the war in Eastern Ukraine as the sole concept of ‘gray zone’ shall be considered not to be entirely correct, since the scales tend to favor the definition of civil war, which is so advantageous to Vladimir Putin. On the other hand, the war in Eastern Ukraine has many shades of gray, which gives grounds to the use of the concept of ‘gray zone conflict’ on specific examples of the existence of real and imaginary gray zones (realities of existence and zones of silence) and to investigate their quantitative and qualitative characteristics, to determine the degree of the viral use of the gray zone of conflict by the state (as an object of aggression), which complicates its establishment. The possibilities/unacceptability of solving gray zone conflicts by “gray” methods are being outlined as well.

Conclusion The Attenuation and Prevention of National Humiliation

2020 ◽  
pp. 164-184
Author(s):  
Joslyn Barnhart
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
International Politics ◽  
International Relations Theory ◽  
International Competition ◽  
International Stability ◽  
The Future ◽  
Foreign Policies ◽  
Nineteenth And Twentieth Centuries ◽  
International Behavior ◽  
Do So

This chapter provides a conclusion by placing the findings into the broader context of international politics and international relations theory. It demonstrates the utility of the theory for understanding the contemporary foreign policies of China and Russia and sheds light on why the effects of humiliation may linger in some states longer than others. The chapter draws key distinctions between the theory and predictions of humiliation and more material and security-based explanations of international behavior. It addresses questions on what can be done to ameliorate or even prevent national humiliation and why are the ameliorative strategies often not employed by other states, much to the detriment of international stability and cooperation. It emphasizes how national humiliation affects world affairs in crucial ways and how it led important periods of international competition within the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and will continue to do so in the future.

Trade gaps, analytical gaps: regime analysis and international commodity trade regulation

1987 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark W. Zacher
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Structural Realism ◽  
International Relations Theory ◽  
International Regime ◽  
Commodity Trade ◽  
Trade Regime ◽  
International Commodity ◽  
Trade Regulation ◽  
The Past ◽  
Definition Of

Studies of international regimes have sought to describe international collaborative arrangements in more systematic terms than in the past, and to analyze their development in terms of major schools of international relations theory. This article refines the commonly used definition of regimes and elucidates the major hypotheses of one theoretical school, structural realism. The strength and nature of the international commodity trade regime are systematically described, and their development is analyzed in terms of the major hypotheses of structural realism. In large part, these hypotheses are supported by the analysis of what is a relatively weak international regime.

scholarly journals Agencia e Estrutura em Sistemas Internacionais: a ontologia do Realismo Científico e suas implicações para uma agenda de pesquisa | Agency and Structure in International Systems: the ontology of Scientific Realism and its implications for a research agenda

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Brancher
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Scientific Realism ◽  
Social Research ◽  
International Relations Theory ◽  
Suggested Approach ◽  
Structure Problem ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
International Systems ◽  
Agent Structure ◽  
Agency And Structure

O artigo se insere no debate acerca do problema agente-estrutura nas Relações Internacionais.Na primeira seção, analisa-se as controvérsias e as lacunas teóricas de três repostas para o problema agente-estrutura que influenciaram o debate teórico nas RI: individualismo, estruturalismo e estruturação. A segunda seção discute a perspectiva ontológica proposta pelo Realismo Científico. Argumenta-se que ela constitui uma heurística profícua para o desenvolvimento de um programa de pesquisa que conceba agentes e estruturas como entidades autônomas e inter-relacionadas temporalmente. Por fim, nas considerações finais, sintetiza-se os argumentos desenvolvidos, aponta-se implicações teóricas da abordagem sugerida e indica-se alternativas para a continuidade da agenda de pesquisa.ABSTRACTThe article is part of the debate on the agent-structure problem in International Relations. It is considered that any social research must develop or incorporate ontological presuppositions about this question, since it logically precedes epistemological and methodological definitions. Specifically to the field of International Relations, the agent-structure problem refers to the definition of the components and the dynamics of operation of International Systems (IS). Thus, in the first section, we analyze the controversies and theoretical gaps of three responses to the agent-structure problem that influenced the theoretical debate in IR: individualism, structuralism and structuring. The second section discusses the ontological perspective proposed by Scientific Realism. It is argued that it constitutes a useful heuristic for the development of a research program that devises agents and structures as autonomous and temporally interrelated entities. Finally, in the final considerations, the arguments developed are summarized, theoretical implications of the suggested approach are indicated, and alternatives are indicated for the continuity of the research agenda.Palavras-chave: Teoria de Relações Internacionais; Agente-Estrutura; Realismo CientíficoKeywords: International Relations Theory; Agent-Structure; Scientific Realism 

Continuity and Transformation in the World Polity: Toward a Neorealist Synthesis

1983 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Ruggie
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
International System ◽  
International Relations Theory ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Recent Book ◽  
Structural Explanation ◽  
World Polity ◽  
Constructive Criticism ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
International Systems

Kenneth Waltz's recent book, Theory of International Politics, is one of the most important contributions to international relations theory since his Man, the State and War. It picks up where the earlier work left off: with the structure of the international system serving as the basis for explaining a variety of international outcomes. The most profound and perhaps the most perplexing outcome Waltz attempts to explain is the lack of fundamental change in the international polity. The author argues that Waltz does not fully succeed in this endeavor for three reasons. First, his definition of structure fails to capture so momentous a change as that from the medieval to the modern international systems. Second, his application of the structuralist method leads him to ask questions in such a way that the answers systematically understate the degree of potential change in the contemporary international system. Third, his model of structural explanation turns out to allow only for a reproductive logic but not for a transformational logic. With the epistemological underpinnings of his theory thus biased against the possibility of change, it is not surprising that Waltz finds the likelihood of future continuity compelling. In the spirit of constructive criticism, this review article tries to amend and augment the theory in a manner that is not incompatible with its basic realist precepts.

Theoretical Review: Neo-Liberal Institutionalism and the Co-Operative Security Regime in Northeast Asia

2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-127
Author(s):  
Sang-Gab Lee
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Northeast Asia ◽  
International Relations Theory ◽  
Opportunity Costs ◽  
Traditional Notion ◽  
Military Threat ◽  
Security Regime ◽  
Research Outcome ◽  
Definition Of

This article examines several theoretical ideas on security regime applicable to Northeast Asia. Different from realists or idealists, two schools of international relations theory, neo-liberal institutionalists have seen that anarchy and mixed interests occasionally cause states to suffer the opportunity costs of not achieving an outcome that is more mutually beneficial. In this context, the concept of co-operative security regime has important connotations for the concept of neo-liberal institutionalism. Based on the research outcome, the co-operative security concept appears to be the most applicable to Northeast Asia in that the idea is among the more widely used terms, complementing more traditional views, acknowledges a more inclusive definition of security, and challenges to security, encompassing, but moving beyond, the traditional notion of military threat and response. Beside of this reason, there are four more logics validating the application of the co-operative security regime notion to Northeast Asia.

COMPETENCE APPROACH IN EUROPEAN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION: ESSENCE AND DEVELOPMENT TRENDS (ARCHETYPAL ASPECT)

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (14) ◽  
pp. 132-143
Author(s):  
Martha Ivanivna Karpa
Keyword(s):  
Public Administration ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Public Institutions ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
European Public ◽  
Territorial Organization ◽  
Characteristic Features ◽  
State And Local ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Definition Of

The article reveals the main features of the competence approach in the practice of European public administration. The features of the competence approach in public administration are determined on the basis of analysis of the basic concepts of public administration. In the dynamics of the formation and development of popular theories of interaction between state and local authorities, such as the theory of a free community, community (public) and public and state (the theory of municipal dualism), we can trace a number of characteristic features of a competency approach, which manifests itself both through the general theoretical relations and manifestations, and through the practice of coexistence of public authorities. There is a problem of definition and distribution of public functions as a prerequisite for defining and shaping the competences of public institutions. An important issue in the context of a competent approach is the institutional consolidation of functions in the context of the existence of the basic models of territorial organization of power. In each of the varieties of the Governance concept (Responsive Governance concept, Democratic Governance concept, Good Governance concept), the specifics of the use of competencies are defined. The archetypal symbols in the European public administration are singled out using the analysis of competence in public administration in its main constituents. A brief description of the archetypal aspect of European public administration is given. The main components of competence are shown in connection with the existing archetypal symbols and the characteristic trends of their development. Their connection is shown according to the scheme “the entity component (who?) — the object component (what?) — the administrative component (how?) — the basis (in what environment?)”. Concerning the trends of development of a competence approach in the context of practice and theory of public administration, it is determined that modern concepts of public administration are characterized by shifting the balance between state and public institutions to the sphere of common goals and tasks, and thus responsibility. The joint activity of all subjects of society requires new forms of cooperation, definition of the spheres and subjects of each entity’s activity for effective cooperation, distribution of functions and competences of the entities, formation and consolidation of their status characteristics.

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