Dyadic-Level
●Dyad→ a pair of two member states in the international system
●Emphasizes the shared characteristics or interaction pattern of states
○Aesop’s fable to the north wind and the sun→ persuasion is better than force
The Spiral Model
●Security dilemma creates conflict spirals
●State behavior is a response to other states’ behavior; emphasizes dyadic relations
between states
Patterns of states’ behavior
●Reciprocity
○Each state of a dyad responds to the actions of the other in a proportionate way
●Escalation
○Each state of a dyad responds to the actions of the other with more hostile and
aggressive reactions
●Asymmetrical escalation
○One state of a dyad escalates, and the counterpart state remains the same
●De-escalation pattern
○One state of a dyad reacts to its counterpart by responding with actions that are
less hostile and more conciliatory
Deterrence Model
●If you want peace, prepare for war
●Deterrence→ a state’s ability to prevent another state from doing something that
contradicts its own interests
●Maintaining credible threats deters war occurrence and leads to peace
●Emphasizes retaliatory punishment
Organizational Level
●States are not unitary actors. They are comprised of a variety of organizations.
●Ex: Joint Chiefs of Staff
○Chairman
○Vice Chairman
○Chief of Staff of the Army
○Chief of Naval Operations
○Chief of Staff of the Air Force
○Commandant of the Marine Corps
○Chief of the National Guard Bureau
○Chief of Space Operations
