Field and Attribute Theories of Nation Behavior: Some Mathematical Interrelationships.

Abstract

Two theories that currently order the relationships between international relations and nation characteristics are field theory and attribute theory. Field theory asserts that the behavior of one nation towards another is a resultant of their differences and similarities to each other. Attribute theory, however, assumes that the total behavior of a nation is a consequence of its attributes. A mathematical relationship between both theories is shown to exist, whereby the parameters of field theory weighting the differences between nations equally for all nation actors are a simple function of the parameters of attribute theory giving the dependence of nation behavior on attributes. This relationship between both theories serves as a link through which the empirical statements of one theory can be subsumed by the other. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1969
Accession Number
AD0726721

Entities

People

  • Rudolph Rummel

Organizations

  • University of HawaiĘ»i System

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • International Relations

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • International Relations and European Studies
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.