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Networks, Complexity and International Relations

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Network Theory and Violent Conflicts

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Abstract

Much of today’s understanding of networks and complexity originates in the natural sciences and the emergence of chaos theory. This approach stands in contrast to the Newtonian understanding of the world that is based on the observation of isolated phenomena and the subsequent formulation of laws that then provide the basis for further analysis. Instead, increasing computational capacities and Information and Communication Technologies allow for the application of findings in complexity theory to the social sciences. Much of this has been used, especially in military affairs, but only with limited success. This chapter deepens the analysis by pointing out how the understanding of identity and narratives, especially in violent conflicts, benefits from network theory. Manuel Castells’ work in this field will especially be used to frame and explore this discourse, and to indicate how the field of international relations can benefit from it.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Italics in the original; see Homer-Dixon 2006, p. 11.

  2. 2.

    Sub-national, national, regional and international; see Coleman and Perl 1999.

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  1. Independent Scholar, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Christian R. Kramer

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Kramer, C.R. (2017). Networks, Complexity and International Relations. In: Network Theory and Violent Conflicts. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41393-8_2

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