The International Hierarchy Expert Survey (IHES) was first conceived and conducted at the end of 2021 as part of a study on the relationship between states’ status and their roles in key global agendas. However, it was clear that the value of the results would increase as more data was accumulated. Hence, the survey has been conducted annually since then to facilitate study on hierarchy and status in international relations (IR).
A state’s status in IR is not an inherent characteristic like economic or military power. In Niklas Luhmann’s new systems theory, status is defined through actors’ collective observation of the international system. In other words, status is a product of how a state is perceived within the international relations system. Thus, status can be most directly measured by surveying the epistemic community of IR experts.
The IHES is conducted in English, online, anonymously and confidentially. Invitations are sent primarily by email, using snowball sampling. As with other types of social surveys, the number of respondents is smaller than the total population. To minimize potential systematic biases and enhance the validity of observations, the survey responses undergo post-stratification weighting (see Appendix 1: «Methodological Notes» in IHES WAVE III Report). Each survey wave spans several months around a new year.
For the fifth consecutive year the International Hierarchy Expert Survey (IHES) collects and publishes panel data on small, middle and great powers to enable research on the dynamics of international hierarchy.
IHES guarantees confidentiality of all participants, only aggregated results will be published.
The International Hierarchy Expert Survey (IHES) was first conceived and conducted at the end of 2021 as part of a study on the relationship between states’ status and their roles in key global agendas. However, it was clear that the value of the results would increase as more data was accumulated. Hence, the survey has been conducted annually since then to facilitate study on hierarchy and status in international relations (IR).
A state’s status in IR is not an inherent characteristic like economic or military power. In Niklas Luhmann’s new systems theory, status is defined through actors’ collective observation of the international system. In other words, status is a product of how a state is perceived within the international relations system. Thus, status can be most directly measured by surveying the epistemic community of IR experts.
The IHES is conducted in English, online, anonymously and confidentially. Invitations are sent primarily by email, using snowball sampling. As with other types of social surveys, the number of respondents is smaller than the total population. To minimize potential systematic biases and enhance the validity of observations, the survey responses undergo post-stratification weighting (see Appendix 1: «Methodological Notes» in IHES WAVE III Report). Each survey wave spans several months around a new year.
For the fifth consecutive year the International Hierarchy Expert Survey (IHES) collects and publishes panel data on small, middle and great powers to enable research on the dynamics of international hierarchy.
IHES guarantees confidentiality of all participants, only aggregated results will be published.
IHES based publications:
Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the IHES research team: i.safranchuk@ihes.expert
