“For any single theory, it is enough that it highlight ‘a small number of big and important things’; and that is all that Kenneth Waltz, the founder of neorealism, claims for his theory” (167).
“He [Waltz] treats only peripherally the process by which structural and unit influences are transmitted onto behavior and outcomes. It is this later area that could well be developed further without undue sacrifice of parsimony” (168). Snyder’s goal is to increase the ability of neorealism to explain things, while not doing too much damage to the parsimony promoted by Waltz.
Structural Modifiers: “First, it is necessary to take account of certain variables which have sometimes been called process but which I would exclude from that category” (168). Nye points out two variables that do not seem to fit within Waltz’s framework. These are “(1) non-power incentives; and (2) the ability to communicate and cooperate” (168). Nye calls these “Systemic Process”. Snyder doesn’t believe that these are process, though he agrees with Nye that they are not unit-based. Snyder on process: “That term ought to be reserved for the political relations and interactions that occur between sovereign states” (168). Snyder would classify Nye’s two points above in a category called “structural modifiers”. Institutions, norms and military technology (nuclear weapons, for example) are also structural modifiers.
Relationships: “Interaction is behavior” (171). “Relations or relationships are not behavior itself, but the situational context of behavior…Relationships lie between structure and interaction; they are the conduit through which structural effects are transmitted to behavior” (172). Relationships can be added to the structural realist account to make it more nuanced. Relationships also can provide the framework for analyzing “structural change”, a common critique of realist theory. For example, WWI could be explained through the deep interconnection through treaties of different countries that compelled them to go to war when it might not have been in their interest vis-à-vis relative power gains.
Figure 1: (174)
Process variables include alignments, conflicts, capabilities and interdependence. Interaction Arenas can also form process or relationship variables. Interaction can take place through preparedness, diplomacy and action.
