The Application of Cybernetic Analysis to the Study of International Politics

by S.D. Bryen

Overview

This study could not have been written before Professor Karl Deutsch made his great contribution to political science in his book, The Nerves of Govern­ ment. In applying the concepts elaborated in that work to the study of inter­ national politics it has been necessary to interpret and, occasionally, add to the concepts developed by Professor Deutsch. I do not know whether Deutsch would accept these changes, modifications and interpretations. Here I can only say that I have attempted to stay in the same spirit that I think motivated Professor Deutsch's pioneering study. That spirit is expressed throughout his work. It is that "all studies of politics, and all techniques and models suggested as instrument of political analysis, have this purpose: that men should be more able to act in politics with their eyes open. " In completing this work lowe much to many. Mrs. Susan Schellenberg aided me in identifying sections of an earlier draft that were unclear and helped me test some of the ideas I added to Deutsch's work. Mr. Frederick Slutsky did some preliminary testing of the action system formulations em­ ployed in the third chapter by using quantitative methods. Particular gratitude is due to the committee who saw this manuscript as a dissertation at Tulane University. This committee, led by Professor Henry L. Mason, consisted of Professor Warren Roberts, Jr. ; Professor James D. Cochrane; Professor Jean M. Danielson and Professor John. S. Gillespie.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789401030076
Publisher:	Springer Netherlands
Publication date:	10/09/2011
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1971
Pages:	147
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.01(d)

Table of Contents

I: Cybernetic Analysis and Political Study.- Goals of the Study.- Deutsch’s Cybernetic-systems Approach.- Cybernetic Themes.- Risk, awareness, consciousness.- Deutsch’s Approach Applied to Political Study.- Storage, memory, will.- Decision making.- Steering and control.- Action and sustaining systems.- The Dynamic Quality of Deutsch’s Cynernetic Approach.- Summary.- II: The Cybernetic Approach and International Politics.- Concepts of International Politics.- State of Nature concept.- Systems concept.- Determining the Character of International Systems.- Historical comparison.- Modelski’s approach.- Riggs’ historical comparison.- Non-historical comparison.- Master’s primitive society.- Kissinger and limited warfare.- Futuristic comparison.- Kaplan’s systems.- Cybernetic view of international politics.- International Action systems.- Consciousness and risk in policy choice.- Passitivity factor.- Summary.- III: The Cybernetic Approach and the Past.- Use of the Past.- Problem of Concealment.- A Nineteenth Century Action System.- France-Prussia in 1870.- Cross-cutting forces.- Bismarck’s alliances.- Summary.- IV: International Political Systems and The Future.- The Present and the Future.- Rosecrance’s Environmental Approach.- McClelland’s Action System Approach.- Critique.- Summary.- V: Pathology and International Systems.- Introduction: Cybernetic Systems and Pathology.- Pathology and International Systems.- International Action Systems.- Maintenace.- Pathological Mixtures.- Nuclear Weapon.- Conclusions.