Description

National Choices and International Processes brings together, for the first time, the various conflicting approaches to the study of foreign policy decision making under a single theoretical framework. Initially examining decision processes within states, Maoz continues by exploring the interactions among states and the manner in which international processes evolve over time. This he calls the "bottom up" approach which is contrasted in his last chapter with the "top down" approach of systems analysis. Although the focus of this study is on theoretical construction, Zeev Maoz provides a thorough analysis of the literature on foreign policy decision making and international bargaining. His arguments are supported both by separate chapters of mathematical analysis and by numerous historical examples, often from the Middle East--an area where the author has particular expertise. National Choices and International Processes is the culmination of many years' work. It will become essential reading for students and specialists in systems theory and decision processes within international relations theory.