This paper deals with the Kosovo-War of 1999 and tries to examine this conflict by using the Multi-Level-Analysis. This approach was first established by the Realist scholar Kenneth Waltz in 1954 and it marks a key aspect of the Realist-theory of International Relations.
On the one hand the Multi-Level-Analysis provides the opportunity to explain the causes of war on different levels of society like the individual, the societal and the international level. On the other hand, conflict resolutions can be found as well by finding and solving the conflict causes on each level.
In its first chapter, the following paper will give an overview of the Realist Multi- Level-Analysis as presented by Kenneth Waltz. The theory’s application for the explanation and the resolution of conflicts will also be an aspect of the first chapter. The following chapters will use this theoretical template to find and to explain the different conflict causes on each level which lead to the Kosovo-War.
Therefore, the second chapter examines the behaviour and policy of the two major protagonists on the individual level. Slobodan Milosevic as President of Yugoslavia and Ibrahim Rugova as the representative of the Kosovo-Albanians will be confronted and compared to find the conflict’s individual motives.
The third chapter deals with the national resp. societal level. Here the conflicting interests of different ethnical or social groups shall be presented. But also economical problems and social injustice played an important role for the rise of the conflict in Kosovo. These aspects will be examined as well.
The fourth chapter gives an overview of the most important actors on the international level. Those are organisations like the EU, NATO, OSCE but also Russia and the USA. Their roles, interests and importance during the conflict will be explained and compared regarding Waltz’ theory about conflict causes on the international level.
The paper ends with a summary of the preceding chapters and a critical view on Waltz’ theory. The questions, in how far the Multi-Level-Analysis is applicable on the Kosovo-War and whether it can offer possibilities for conflict resolution will be answered in this last chapter.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1Introduction
- 1. The theory of Multi-Level-Analysis
- 2. The individual level
- 2.1 Slobodan Milosevic
- 2.2 Ibrahim Rugova
- 3. The national level
- 3.1 The situation in Kosovo
- 3.2 The situation in Yugoslavia
- 4. The international level
- 4.1 The UN
- 4.2 The EU
- 4.3 The OSCE
- 4.4 The Balkans Contact Group
- 4.5 The G-8
- 4.6 NATO
- 5. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the Kosovo War of 1999 through the lens of Multi-Level-Analysis, a key aspect of Realist theory in International Relations. The paper analyzes the conflict at different levels of society, including the individual, societal, and international levels, aiming to understand the causes of the war and potential avenues for conflict resolution.
- The theoretical framework of Multi-Level-Analysis by Kenneth Waltz
- The role of individual actors, like Slobodan Milosevic and Ibrahim Rugova, in fueling the conflict
- The impact of national and societal factors, including ethnic tensions and economic disparities, on the escalation of the conflict
- The involvement of international organizations, such as the UN, EU, OSCE, and NATO, in the Kosovo War
- The applicability of Multi-Level-Analysis to the Kosovo War and its potential contributions to conflict resolution
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The paper begins with an overview of the Multi-Level-Analysis theory, outlining its principles and application to conflict analysis and resolution. It then delves into the individual level, examining the actions and motivations of Slobodan Milosevic and Ibrahim Rugova, key figures in the Kosovo conflict. The national level is explored next, focusing on the conflicting interests of ethnic groups, economic challenges, and social injustices that contributed to the war. The fourth chapter examines the international level, analyzing the roles, interests, and interventions of key actors, including the EU, NATO, OSCE, Russia, and the USA, in the context of the conflict.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper centers on the Kosovo War, utilizing the theoretical framework of Multi-Level-Analysis, examining individual actors, national factors, international interventions, and conflict resolution strategies. Key themes include ethnic tensions, economic disparities, international relations, and the roles of organizations like the UN, EU, NATO, and OSCE.
- Quote paper
- Bernd Reismann (Author), 2006, A Level-of-Analysis-approach to the Kosovo-War, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/54800
