Integrating Cognitive and Rational Theories of Foreign Policy Decision Making: The Polyheuristic Theory of Decision (Advances in Foreign Policy Analysis)

There are two dominant approaches to political decision making in general and foreign policy decision making in particular: rational choice and cognitive psychology. The essays here introduce and test the poliheuristic theory of decision making that integrates elements of both schools. The poliheuristic theory is able to account for the outcome and the process of decisions, and integrates across levels of analysis (individual, dyad, and group). The collection focuses on both elements of the theory itself and also looks at how the theory can be used to better understand political decisions that were made in the past. Front Matter....Pages i-ix Integrating Cognitive and Rational Theories of Foreign Policy Decision Making: A Poliheuristic Perspective....Pages 1-9 The Decision Not to Use Force at Dien Bien Phu: A Poliheuristic Perspective....Pages 11-28 Degrees of Difficulty: The Effect of Israeli Policy Shifts on Syrian Peace Decisions....Pages 29-53 “No Other Choice”: Pakistan’s Decision to Test the Bomb....Pages 55-76 Framing and the Poliheuristic Theory of Decision: The United Fruit Company and the 1954 U.S.-Led Coup in Guatemala....Pages 77-100 The Poliheuristic Theory of Foreign Policy Decision Making: Experimental Evidence....Pages 101-126 The Rational-Cognitive Debate and Poliheuristic Theory....Pages 127-137 The Poliheuristic Theory of Decision and the Cybernetic Theory of Decision: A Comparative Examination....Pages 139-157 Theory Development and Integration in Foreign Policy Analysis: Directions for Future Research....Pages 159-168 Back Matter....Pages 169-175