Using Subsystems beyond Oil

Abstract

Chapter 6 moves beyond oil. It starts by showing how the subsystems framework lends itself to a particular method or approach to research. That method encourages analysts to really get to know the empirics of their subject before jumping to causal analysis. The chapter then addresses some additional theoretical questions not covered in chapter 2. For example, it identifies the standards of quality by which we can assess competing subsystems analyses from different analysts, and considers how changes at the subsystem level aggregate up to affect an ordering theme at the systemic level (e.g., the liberal order). The goal is to show how scholars can apply the subsystems framework in an analytically fertile way.