Identification and Measurement of U.S. Interests Abroad: A Quantitative Analysis of U. S. Stakes at the Sub-Theater Level and Their Relative Vulnerability to Local Conflicts.

摘要

This is volume 2 of the study to develop a systematic means for rank-ordering foreign countries on the basis of U.S. interest abroad. Six independent dimensions of the U.S. stake at the subtheater level were delineated, and ninety-three (93) countries were rank-ordered on each, as well as across an aggregate measure of all six. The same set of countries were evaluated in terms of the relative level of local, inter-state conflict behavior they had experienced over the period 1961-1973. The severity of thirteen years of conflict was measured with the help of a conflict continuum scale consisting of twenty-three generic types of conflict-interaction. Annual conflict scores were aggregated into a series of final, weighted conflict intensity indices for 1973. Country interest scores were juxtaposed with the pertinent conflict intensity indices in a display of ranked levels of U.S. security concern.