Triangulation in a Heterarchical Environment of the International Relations (Theoretical and Methodological Foundations)

The article is devoted to the problems of triangulation in political science. The authors use the concept of “triangulation” in the analysis of balancing forces in international relations. The article summarizes the data of domestic and foreign authors to re-actualize the importance of triangulation for analyzing the impact of “triangles” on international security. “Triads” (“triangles”) is an analytical model for the study of minilateral interstate coalitions or partner dialogue platforms in the heterarchical environment of the international relations. The concepts of heterarchy explain the dialectic of anarchy and hierarchy. Heterarchy is a state, unlike hierarchy, that is not associated with a single “higher level” of regulation, taking into account relational dependencies and coordination interactions. When considering the types of “triads” and the options for interaction in them, the authors apply a systematic method, including hierarchy analysis, network and coordination analysis, and also turn to structural-functional, relational and scenario analysis. Special attention is paid to the “triads” in Asia, including Russia–India–China, as well as the strategic “triad” of the USA–China–Russia. 

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