Binary Role Theory and the Dynamics of World Politics: Thinking Small

This book develops a binary role theory of world politics extending from the micro-analysis of foreign policy to the macro-analysis of world politics. The effort employs analytical tools outside of role theory to extend role concepts from agents spatially to finitely generated systems and temporally to different phases and sequences of social interaction between pairs of agents as ego and alter. There is an initial emphasis on ＂thinking small＂ about the interactions of agents as the building blocks of world politics and then tracing the processes of aggregation that generate the emergence and evolution of larger patterns of international relations over time.

Empirical case studies from different historical eras and geographical regions illustrate the application of binary role theory models to problems of conflict management, alliance formation, diplomatic engagement, and transitions in world order. The analysis employs complex adaptive systems (CAS) analysis to go beyond the study of political science in building bridges to the natural sciences by using concepts and models from the Standard Model in physics and the Modern Synthesis in biology. This book will interest an audience of foreign policy scholars and international relations theorists as well as students of quantum and computational models of world politics.

Stephen G. Walker is Professor Emeritus of Political Science in the School of Politics and Global Studies and Affiliated Faculty in the Future Security Initiative program at Arizona State University. He has published Role Theory and Foreign Policy Analysis (1987), Beliefs and Leadership in World Politics (2006) Rethinking Foreign Policy Analysis (2011), U.S. Presidents and Foreign Policy Mistakes (2011), Role Theory and the Cognitive Architecture of British Appeasement Decisions (2013), Role Theory and Role Conflict in U.S.-Iran Relations (2017), Operational Code Analysis and Foreign Policy Roles (2021) plus articles in several journals, including World Politics, Journal of Conflict Resolution, Journal of Peace Research, International Studies Quarterly, International Interactions, Foreign Policy Analysis, and Political Psychology. The National Science Foundation (1982-1983) funded his research on the belief systems and conflict management strategies of political leaders. He served as a co-editor of International Studies Quarterly (1985) and as a vice-president of the International Society of Political Psychology (1997-1999) and the International Studies Association (2003-2004). He received the Distinguished Scholar Award from the Foreign Policy Section of the International Studies Association in 2003. His recent public service includes serving at the National Academies of Science in 2013-2014 on the National Research Council’s Committee on U.S. Air Force Strategic Deterrence Military Capabilities in the 21st Century Security Environment.