Teoria elementów semistrukturalnych

Abstrakt

The theory of the relationships

The article discusses the theory of the relationships, developed by Glenn H.Snyder. The relationships are alliances and alignments, common and conflicting interests, capabilities and interdependence. All four phenomena are well known in the theory of international relations. However, they have not been combined into one theory. According to Snyder, these phenomena work as the transmission belt between the level of a structure of international system and the level of actors’ interactions. Thus, they can be put into the framework of the level-of-analysis problem in international relations. The analysis of the theory, with the presentation of its strengths and weaknesses, delivers a useful tool for the analysts and scholars to both explain and predict the development of international relations. Within the theory, the matrix of interactions is also offered. It sets the framework for analysis of different types of behaviors of international actors. The theory itself, however abstract and not easy to apply, helps to develop the realist perspective on international relations theory in particular and the discipline in general.