Security in the Persian Gulf Region pp 53-77 | Cite as
Scrutinizing Causes: The Process-Tracing Method
Chapter
First Online:
Abstract
The process-tracing method adopts to understand changes in the Persian Gulf security complex and the causal mechanisms involved in this shift. Process tracing involves generating hypotheses and an in–depth consideration of causal processes. Using a hypothesized causal mechanism, two hypotheses are proposed based on changes in the level of societal threats posed by transnational actors influenced by extremist ideology and religious sectarianism:
- 1.
‘Direct US presence in the region has affected societal threat perceptions. This shift has in turn altered the dynamics of the Persian Gulf security complex since the Iraq War.’
- 2.
‘The rise of transnational actors (Al Qaeda) in the Persian Gulf region has affected societal threat perceptions. This shift has in turn altered the dynamics of the Persian Gulf security complex since the Iraq War.’
Hypotheses are empirically examined using theoretical perspectives from International Relations (IR) and Sociology.
Keywords
Saudi Arabia Causal Mechanism Causal Process News Agency Case Study Method
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Copyright information
© The Author(s) 2017