This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Most, B. A. Articles by Starr, H. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Theoretical and Logical Issues in the Study of International Diffusion

Harvey Starr

This discussion attempts to explore the concepts of diffusion and contagion as well as the nature of diffusion/contagion effects, and to suggest how they might operate. Using a series of logical analyses to continue the exercise of unpacking the concept of diffusion, which was initially presented in Most and Starr (1980), we are led to the conclusion that such processes are both less mystical and troublesome than they have often appeared in the literature. We argue that spatial diffusion processes may be disaggregated. Rather than being unique, diffusion/contagion processes may be seen as one subfield of `linkage' politics; with direct diffusion relationships as specialized extra-societal (general linkage) phenomena.

Key Words: diffusion • contagion • linkage • linkage politics • process

Journal of Theoretical Politics, Vol. 2, No. 4, 391-412 (1990)
DOI: 10.1177/0951692890002004003


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. Perez-Armendariz and D. Crow Do Migrants Remit Democracy? International Migration, Political Beliefs, and Behavior in Mexico Comparative Political Studies, January 1, 2010; 43(1): 119 - 148. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Z. Iqbal and H. Starr Bad Neighbors: Failed States and Their Consequences Conflict Management and Peace Science, September 1, 2008; 25(4): 315 - 331. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. Brinks and M. Coppedge Diffusion Is No Illusion: Neighbor Emulation in the Third Wave of Democracy Comparative Political Studies, May 1, 2006; 39(4): 463 - 489. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. Simowitz Evaluating Conflict Research on the Diffusion of War Journal of Peace Research, March 1, 1998; 35(2): 211 - 230. [Abstract]

				H. Star and R. M. Siverson Cumulation, Evaluation and the Research Process: Investigating the Diffusion of Conflict Journal of Peace Research, March 1, 1998; 35(2): 231 - 237. [Abstract]

				J. T. CHECKEL International Norms and Domestic Politics:: Bridging the Rationalist--Constructivist Divide European Journal of International Relations, December 1, 1997; 3(4): 473 - 495. [Abstract]

				M. Hammarstrom The Diffusion of Military Conflict: Central and South-East Europe in 1919-20 and 1991-92 Journal of Peace Research, August 1, 1994; 31(3): 263 - 280. [Abstract]

				J. O'Loughlin Political geography: returning to basic conceptions Progress in Human Geography, September 1, 1991; 15(3): 322 - 339. [PDF]

				H. Starr Democratic Dominoes: Diffusion Approaches to the Spread of Democracy in the International System Journal of Conflict Resolution, June 1, 1991; 35(2): 356 - 381. [Abstract]