Why is it important to consider the individual when analyzing foreign policy decision making? What is the role of rationality in explaining individual decision making? Discuss at least two ways in which individual decision making diverges from the rational model. Provide a historical example to solidify your argument.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The ideal answer should include:
1. Explain the role of individual decision makers in international relations. For example, every international event is the result, intended or unintended, of decisions made by individuals.
2. Explain the role of rationality. For example, individual rationality is not equivalent to state rationality: States might filter individuals' irrational decisions to arrive at rational choices, or states might distort individual rational decisions and end up with irrational state choices.
3. Discuss how individual decision making diverges from the rational model in at least two ways. For example, decision makers suffer from misperceptions and selective perceptions, or they often simply ignore any information that does not fit their expectations.
4. Provide a historical example. For instance, in 1988, officers on a U.S. warship in the Persian Gulf shot down a civilian Iranian jet that they believed to be a military jet attacking them. The officers were trying to carry out policies established by national leaders, but because of misperceptions, their actions instead damaged their state's interests.
5. Offer a compelling summary and effective conclusion.