The Use of Rational Choice Theory in the Analysis of Russia-Ukraine Tensions

POLICY DECISION MAKING
The use of Rational Choice Theory in the Analysis of Russia-Ukraine Tensions
Your Name
Subject and Section
Professor’s Name
Date
Policy Decision Making
Understanding the role of psychology in International Relations is essential for any policymaker and scholar alike. This is because even if such relations are built on the State level, the direction and sway of the State’s decision are ultimately based on the individual psyche of those who hold power over them. In line with this, the author of this paper would like to create an Essay Plan regarding the recent conflict between Russia and Ukraine as well as the United States policy regarding such conflict. This essay plan would include the research questions, the structure of the essay, the research methods to be used, and the relevant theory that may be used to determine each State’s course of action. In line with this, the author would like to utilize the Rational Choice Theory as the primary paradigm of analysis, which posits that individuals use their self-interests to analyze which actions would provide them with the most benefits in the future. Overall, the author believes that this theory can definitely help in analyzing the current Russian-Ukrainian Tension and the actions of the United States in line with this.
Research Questions
In order to analyze these instances, the author would like to utilize a number of research questions and sub-questions. Primarily, the main research question for this essay is; ‘to what extent can the rational choice theory explain the current actions resorted to by Russia, Ukraine, and the United States.’ As stated earlier, Rational Choice Theory believes that individuals make decisions based on their analysis of which action would provide them with the maximum return. Thus, several other research questions that could be asked in this essay are the following;
1 How does Ukraine balance its alliance with its long-time ally Russia and its donor, the United States? How does this decision, based on the recent events, maximize their returns?
2 How does Russia decide whether to utilize aggressive or diplomatic means to achieve maximum return, which is to maintain Ukraine’s allegiance to them?
3 Why does the United States intervene in the conflict between the two nations? Does it perceive that such intervention would maximize their returns despite the risks of increasing aggressive tensions between the States?
4 How does the United States use its diplomatic and military powers to realize its goals?
These questions are designed in order to determine whether such actions in the recent events were due to the policy-makers desire to maximize returns.
Structure
The main structure of the essay would follow the...