Integrative Complexity of Communications in International Crises

TLDR

Integrative complexity is an information‑processing dimension ranging from simple, rigid responses to complex, flexible, and extensive information use. The study scored diplomatic communications from war‑ending and peacefully resolved crises (1914, 1950, 1911, 1948, 1962) for integrative complexity. Messages from leaders were significantly less complex in war‑ending crises; complexity fell toward the climax in 1914 but rose in 1962, demonstrating that integrative complexity can objectively analyze political events.

Abstract

Diplomatic communications during international crises that resulted in war (1914 and 1950) and crises that were settled peacefully (1911, 1948, 1962) were scored for integrative complexity. This is a dimension of information processing characterized at one pole by simple responses, gross distinctions, rigidity, and restricted information usage, and at the other by complexity, fine distinctions, flexibility, and extensive information search and usage. Complexity of the messages produced by governmental leaders was significantly lower in crises that ended in war. As the crisis approached its climax, complexity declined in 1914 and increased in 1962. The results demonstrate the usefulness of information processing complexity, which can be measured objectively in a wide range of materials, for analyzing political and diplomatic events.