Network Analysis:What it is, what it isn’t, and how you

do it.

Alexander H. MontgomeryReed College

Network Analysis (NA)

• What is (and is not) NA in IR• How to do NA (in three parts)• NA: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly• Questions

What is (and is not) NA in IR

• “Networks” in IR (not NA)– TANs, CTAs, Networked

Governance– Hierarchies/

Networks/Markets

• Networks as Relational Structures (NA)– Individualist

Explanations– Holist Explanations– Relationalist

Explanations

A>B I am A, so I do B.HOLIST STRUCTURE

RELATIONS

How to do Network Analysis (1)

1. Define your networks

– Ties– Nodes

2a. Theorize network dynamics

– Tie-based• Structural Balance• Structural Equivalence• Preferred Attachment

– Node-based• Homophily• Heterophily

Pakistan

USA

France

4

China

Iran

1

N.Korea1 1

2

How to do Network Analysis (2)

2b. Theorize network effects

– Individual/Interaction Level: Social Capital/Power

• Access• Brokerage• Exit

– Group Level: Conflict and Cooperation

– Network Level: Efficiency and Robustness

USA

France

4

China

Iran

1

N.Korea1 1

2

How to do Network Analysis (3)

3. Measure and analyze

– Conceptual– Graphs

How to do Network Analysis (3)

3. Measure and analyze

– Conceptual– Graphs– Calculate Quantities– Regression

NA: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly

• Explicit– Trade (1947-2000)– Diplomatic Relations

(1817-2005)

• Affiliation– IGOs (1816-2000)– Alliances (1816-2000)

• Implicit– Democracy, Religion,

Ethnicity, etc.

• Interactions– MIDs, War, etc.

(Lewer and Van den Berg 2007)

(Ward and Hoff 2007)

(Maoz 2006)

Questions?