Role of IR theories in SBI

The term strategic intelligence strikes the cord to the notion of gathering of data or intelligence
as a tool of analysis. Intelligence is a field of activity that has a rich history even from the Biblical
times or quiet possibly even before that; yet it still lacks clarity of definition and agreement. This
does not quite necessarily mean it’s a vague practice; rather it shows the potential in such a
paradoxical field. Some analysis and collection of data can be coined empirical while other times
it’s an infringement into one’s or an entities privacy. So, there is a thin line between espionage
(which could be on any level; not necessarily business) and the so termed gathering and analysis
of data. To say there is no accepted “intelligence doctrine” would be an understatement.
Intelligence can be classified namely into two – Operational and Strategic. Intelligence that
services the daily need for supervision and focuses on immediate, routine and ongoing activities
of the organization or an individual could be termed tactical or operational intelligence. On the
other hand, intelligence which is purely for management and executive use and therefore deal
with questions, missions, goals, objective programs and resource planning is termed strategic
intelligence; which would widely influence organizational strategies.
Strategic intelligence analysis can be considered a specific form of research that addresses any
issue at the level of breadth and detail necessary to describe threats, risks and opportunities in a
way that helps determine programs and policies. Even though its definition runs with a
consistency of enforcement responsibilities. The core ideas are so simple that its adaptability to
other environments as a policy and planning tool for government and non-governmental entities
in the corporate world questions its legitimacy. At the same time legitimacy can be gained into
any work of strategic business intelligence gathering, as in the name of reasonable speculation
about topics which are often vague and data poor.

‘One view is that strategic intelligence is the specific form of analysis which is required for the
formulation of policy and plans at agency, corporate, national or International levels’

But is this the only valid viewpoint which can be defined to strategic intelligence? It evolves with
the context of analysis and emphasizes it makes on the given scenario. At the core it’s a tool; like
any other but with a wider scope of manipulation which in turn makes it one of the most powerful
forms of doctrines. Strategic insight has a key role to play in every area of management and
corporate determination of plans for future. Insight is not something that can be theorized
exceedingly. Insight; can be defined as going beyond what is evident. It also emphasizes being
able to incorporate different schools of knowledge.
Realism can be considered as one of the most popular schools of thought in international
relations theories. Realism argues that the International system always exists in a state of
antagonism. Realists argue that a nation-state is always in a self-sustaining policy. In essence
survival is the rule of the game. Realists often differ in the argument about the core of the issue,
that makes the International structure what it is. Classical realist argue that it is the floe of human
nature that is at the heart of it; whereas neo-realists believe that it is the essential nature of the
anarchic structure and insecurities that evokes sense. Realists also argue about the stance and
actions one must take forth to survive in this chaotic state. There is no subtlety. In a strategic
business perspective there is not much room for the consideration of anymore factors; as it plays
out you either live or die, win or lose. Still it gives an ambitious approach to any business
management perspective. For instance, a company’s strategic partners could have different
approach to how they would want to run the enterprise. One could hold out for a higher vision
of the wider dispersal of the enterprise’s assets whereas the other could be only focused on the
debt or profit ratio. Realism in essence, may restrict the rewards of a possible gamble.
Liberalism broadens up the thinking space and opens up the analytical sides by including
competition as a factor and cooperation as a possible antidote. In the International structure,
liberals believe that with proper institutions and diplomacy, states can work together to
maximize prosperity and minimize conflict. The purpose of cooperation is to ensure one’s
security so as not to be tangled in the anarchic state of affairs. In strategic business perspectives
liberal principles puts forth the access to markets, an effective judicial system and a legislative
body so that the buying and selling in the markets are regulated by a set of rules which can in
turn bring about a structure in the domain. For instance, a proven enterprise can or may
collaborate with a local enterprise in a different state to eliminate competition and win the
market with cooperation as a tool.
Constructivists and English school of thought opens up yet another dimension into the picture.
They do not argue about the anarchic and the insecurities that follow; or even about the source
of it; yet puts forth an ideology of ideas at play. Everybody is insecure, but the idea of insecurity
varies from entity to entity. What insecurity is for one may not be same for another.
Constructivists does not argue about the material nature of the world but takes a viewpoint
focusing on the ideas running the same world. Liberals talk about just economic cooperation at
a strategic level, but these schools of thought prove that cooperation can be economic but can
also be in terms of ideas and beliefs. Thus, norms gain a lot of importance. Norms can be defined
as standards of appropriate behavior for actors with a given identity. Norms possesses a quality
of predictability. Constructivist argue that they are constructed by ideas which eventually ought
to the formulation of a norm. An idea becomes norm when it gains the popular approval of the
people(audience). Norms thus turn into ideas which are rationalized and made into a kind of
institution for law. So, in essence at a strategic business management perspective, a constructive
approach of analysis provides insight into the norms and trends of the major population or states
which act on it’s behalf. If you are to do business with an identity or enterprise it forms a tool of
analysis so as to gather intelligence on the works it has done in the past, its norms, and
formulation of a predictable idea from the other side.
The ontology of Marxism is not fixed it depends on how one perceives it. The theory of Marxism
does not necessarily begin with the assumption of insecurity or anarchy. It is formulated from
the core of human nature and the interactions between them. Marxism thus begins with
grouping all the things that could be factors in the world into singular dialects; the natural world,
social relations, institutions and humans. Marxist begin with interaction and not insecurity. The
significant structure in an International market or economy is capitalism and the way in which it
is organized is that there is a generation of profits which in turn becomes the capital for more
profit. Marx strikes the significance of Gramsci’s thoughts on hegemony which underlays in
capitalism. As did Marx did Gramsci recognize that the economic exploitations are not the only
driving factor behind capitalism and that the system would be overwhelmed by a dominance of
ruling class’s ideas and values. This false consciousness would then inn turn keep the working
class from realizing and rejecting their oppression. It thus becomes a bourgeois ideology were
proletariats would settle for an improved material condition but, within the capitalist system.
Marxism thus opens up the idea of profit and class which exists in a capitalist ideology which
could be incorporated into the anarchic world. “Anarchy is what we make of it”
This bane of capitalism and its exploitations can be brought up with the example of the poultry
industry. Chicken the most popular edible is made now from Gallus Gallus domesticus. World’s
most famous bird are of almost 12 billion in numbers. Humans go through 50 million chickens a
year. The reason that we can leave trillions of chicken bones in the fossil records are also the
treasons that capitalism is heading for a crisis. The original jungle fowl was in Asia. The genetic
material from the bird has been manipulated so that now we have commercial poultry varieties.
50% of the chickens not used commercially are extinct. The majority of natural ecosystem on
which capitalism depends are heading rapidly to a profound and irreversible state. Chickens
needs to be prepared to consumable products. They need workers to do the labor; some
capitalist companies even use prison labor. This cycle of capitalist commercial exploitation in turn
creates cheap lives. In order to supply this production, people with lack of education and who
need a low wage just to survive are exploited. Globally we are seeing the ultimate expression of
poor lives in the form of corporate slavery. Today there are 40 million slaves around the world.
To put in context the transatlantic slave trade over its entire duration involved 25 million people.
This trend spreads in different aspects in multiple forms. Then again this is exactly what Gramsci
suggested and Marx envisioned against capitalist hegemonies.

The discipline of International Relations thus provides valuable insight in the understanding of