Analyzing Foreign Policy: Agent-Structure Problem in Foreign Policy Analysis

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to find out which approach/approaches of IR provide the most appropriate framework for analyzing foreign policy. This is mainly because it is believed that existing approaches of IR have major deficiencies in analyzing foreign policy. In this regard, firstly an evaluation will be made about how main approaches of the discipline analyze international politics in general and foreign policy in particular. This evaluation will be made on the basis of the agent-structure problem, for as much the main factor which shapes perspectives over foreign policy is the agent-structure problem.

Keywords

Constructivism, Agent-Structure Problem, Foreign Policy Analysis

Citation

Ereker, Fulya, “Analyzing Foreign Policy: Agent-Structure Problem in Foreign Policy Analysis”, International Relations, Volume 9, Issue 36 (Winter 2013), pp. 45-71.

Affiliations

• Fulya EREKER, Assoc. Prof. Dr., Maltepe University, Department of International Relations and European Union