Towards a Comparative Framework for Defense Studies.

Abstract

The field of international relations today is characterized by a trend toward fragmentation in the pursuit of theory. A strong case can be made for the statement that the systematic study of international relations is a young discipline dating approximately from the pre-WW II period. And yet, a definite cycle in the methods of research has manifested itself during this short period. The initial literature was historical-descriptive in nature dealing largely with isolated topics. Conclusions tended to be tentative and generally applicable only within the parameters of the specific study at hand. In the early 1950's a scientific trend developed based on methodical research techniques which aimed at producing a general thory of international relations. Once the constraints on this goal became apparent, scholars aimed at producing smaller scale theories which they hoped in time might be linked together to form a general theory.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1977
Accession Number
ADA054673

Entities

People

  • John Robin Fairlamb

Organizations

  • University of South Carolina

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Case Studies
  • Foreign Policy
  • Germany
  • Governments
  • International Relations
  • Law
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • New York
  • Organizational Structure
  • Political Systems
  • Public Administration
  • Public Policy
  • Social Sciences
  • Warfare
  • West Germany

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Theoretical Analysis.