The consolidation of selected approaches to the study of foreign policy : a theoretical and empirical analysis
The consolidation of selected approaches to the study of foreign policy : a theoretical and empirical analysis
This thesis has as its starting point the fact that there is a dire need to consolidate the literature of policy analysis relevant to foreign affairs in order that the effectiveness of the analytical tools produced by that literature can be maximised. Arising from this is the question of what kinds of policy analysis - suggestive, predictive, explanatory, prescriptive etc. - might a consolidated research framework facilitate?Selected major research approaches are explained and dissected in depth in order to decide which aspects of the literature are worth consolidating. Simultaneously, they are examined closely with regard to the conclusions that each suggests about the kinds of policy analysis that might be practicably possible. Overall conclusions concerning this question are then drawn (on the basis of the cumulative analysis of its various aspects that has taken place) in order to decide the range of functions that a consolidated research framework (CRF) might be hoped to perform. Finally, those parts of the literature of policy analysis judged to be worth combining in a CRF are brought together in a flexible framework that is designed for ease of use.The CRF is then tested with regard to its ability to facilitate purely explanatory analysis. This is done via two case studies, one of the American policy making process with regard to the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, and one of the British policy making process with regard to the Attlee government's decision to develop atomic weapons. A comparative study is carried out involving the CRF and the major alternative policy analysis frameworks that have previously been applied to these case studies. By demonstrating a number of advantages of the CRF over the latter, its usefulness as a research tool is established. (D80999)
University of Southampton
1987
Anderson, Peter James
(1987)
The consolidation of selected approaches to the study of foreign policy : a theoretical and empirical analysis.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
This thesis has as its starting point the fact that there is a dire need to consolidate the literature of policy analysis relevant to foreign affairs in order that the effectiveness of the analytical tools produced by that literature can be maximised. Arising from this is the question of what kinds of policy analysis - suggestive, predictive, explanatory, prescriptive etc. - might a consolidated research framework facilitate?Selected major research approaches are explained and dissected in depth in order to decide which aspects of the literature are worth consolidating. Simultaneously, they are examined closely with regard to the conclusions that each suggests about the kinds of policy analysis that might be practicably possible. Overall conclusions concerning this question are then drawn (on the basis of the cumulative analysis of its various aspects that has taken place) in order to decide the range of functions that a consolidated research framework (CRF) might be hoped to perform. Finally, those parts of the literature of policy analysis judged to be worth combining in a CRF are brought together in a flexible framework that is designed for ease of use.The CRF is then tested with regard to its ability to facilitate purely explanatory analysis. This is done via two case studies, one of the American policy making process with regard to the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, and one of the British policy making process with regard to the Attlee government's decision to develop atomic weapons. A comparative study is carried out involving the CRF and the major alternative policy analysis frameworks that have previously been applied to these case studies. By demonstrating a number of advantages of the CRF over the latter, its usefulness as a research tool is established. (D80999)
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Published date: 1987
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Local EPrints ID: 461673
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/461673
PURE UUID: 127a47d2-6247-474f-9747-be9b4e0c26a6
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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 18:51
Last modified: 04 Jul 2022 18:51
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Author:
Peter James Anderson
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