ABSTRACT
The chapter examines different approaches (geopolitical, domestic, ideational) to the analysis of RFP and reflects on their strengths and weaknesses. It argues that existing explanations concentrating on one level of analysis do not pay enough attention to the interactions of different factors and leave much unexplained. As such, it proposes the use of a multi-level approach, which focuses on perceptions and emphasises the nexus of internal and external factors, and advocates the application of role theory. Consequently, the chapter focuses on the advantages of using role theory in the analysis of RFP, presents the theoretical framework and discusses how the study fits into theoretical debates on national role conceptions, role change and domestic role contestation as well as points to the book’s potential contributions to this literature.
