Good Judgment in Foreign Policy: Theory and Application

At the heart of political leadership lies choice, and at the heart of choice lies judgement. A leader’s psychology and experience intersects with political realities to produce consequences that can make or break a leader - or a country. Nowhere is judgement more important than in the making of foreign policy. Good judgements can avoid wars, or win them. Poor judgements can start wars or lose them. This volume draws together a group of contributors - psychologists, political scientists and policy-makers - to focus on and understand both good and poor judgement in foreign policy-making. Case studies of key leadership decisions combine with theoretical overviews and analyses to offer a textured portrait of judgement in action in the all-important foreign policy arena. It includes a case study of George W. Bush and the war on terrorism.