El análisis de redes sociales. Una herramienta explicativa para la comprensión de las relaciones internacionales

Abstract

The article deals with the main features of network analysis, its applications in Social Sciences, specifically in International Relations, and offers some examples in which shows its usefulness. The network analysis is an analytical tool helpful to measure social interactions and a tool that has the capacity to do more precise research using variables, matrices or graphics. It also helps to design a medium-term research and to submit the results of the preset times. There are four basic points in order to develop this kind of analysis: 1) the actor and his actions are interdependent; 2) relational connections among actors are channels for transfer of resources; 3) the network model focuses on individual vision of the environment structural network; and 4) the model has a network of regularities of the relationship among actors.