What are the four overarching levels of analysis in international relations?

The four overarching levels of analysis in international relations are individual, domestic, interstate, and global, which provide a comprehensive framework for examining international phenomena.

The individual level focuses on human actors and their perceptions, decisions, and motivations, considering how the beliefs and characteristics of leaders or influential individuals can shape international outcomes. The domestic level analyzes how internal factors, such as political institutions, societal interests, and economic conditions within a country, influence its foreign policy and international behavior. The interstate level centers on interactions between states, including power dynamics, alliances, and conflicts, emphasizing the significance of state-to-state relations in the international system. Finally, the global level looks at broader issues that transcend individual states, such as multinational organizations, global governance, and transnational issues like climate change and terrorism, which require collective action and cooperation among states.

This framework helps scholars and practitioners to analyze complex international situations from multiple perspectives, allowing for a more holistic understanding of global affairs.