Problem Representation in Foreign Policy Decision-Making

doi:10.1017/9780511625718

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Previous studies of foreign policy decision making have largely focused on the choice among specified options rather than the prior question of how the options were specified in the first place. Such 'problem representation' is the focus of this volume. How do the game theorists' options and utilities come about? Concretely, for example, how and why in the Cuban missile crisis were blockade, air strike, and invasion chosen as options? To answer such questions, the editors contend the representation of the problem to which the options are a response, the determinants of that representation, and its ramifications must all be analyzed. The contributors to the volume consider these issues both conceptually and empirically, employing the methods of both international relations and political psychology.

"This volume is an excellent addition to the more advanced study of foreign policy analysis. Recommended for upper-division undergraduates and above." Choice

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv
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Contents
pp v-vi
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List of Contributors
pp vii-viii
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Part I - Introducing Problem Representation
pp 1-2
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1 - Introduction
pp 3-7
- By Donald A. Sylvan, Department of Political Science, Ohio State University
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2 - On the Representation of Problems: An Information-Processing Approach to Foreign Policy Decision Making
pp 8-26
- By James F. Voss, Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh
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Part II - Overarching Conceptual Issues
pp 27-28
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3 - The Interpretation of Foreign Policy Events: A Cognitive Process Theory
pp 29-52
- By Charles S. Taber, Department of Political Science, State University of New York at Stony Brook
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4 - Problem Identification in Sequential Policy Decision Making: The Re-representation of Problems
pp 53-79
- By Robert S. Billings, Department of Psychology, Ohio State University, Charles F. Hermann, George Bush School of International Relations, Texas A&M University
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5 - Collective Interpretations: How Problem Representations Aggregate in Foreign Policy Groups
pp 80-115
- By Ryan Beasley, Department of Political Science, University of Kansas
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6 - Image Change and Problem Representation after the Cold War
pp 116-144
- By Martha Cottam, Department of Political Science, Washington State University, Dorcas E. McCoy, Department of Political Science, University of Central Florida
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Part III - Empirical Analysis
pp 145-146
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7 - Problem Representations and Political Expertise: Evidence from “Think Aloud” Protocols of South African Elite
pp 147-186
- By Helen E. Purkitt, Department of Political Science, U.S. Naval Academy
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8 - Reasoning and Problem Representation in Foreign Policy: Groups, Individuals, and Stories
pp 187-212
- By Donald A. Sylvan, Department of Political Science, Ohio State University, Deborah M. Haddad, Department of Political Science, Ohio State University
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9 - Representing Problem Representation
pp 213-248
- By Michael D. Young, Department of Political Science, Ohio State University
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10 - A Problem-Solving Perspective on Decision-Making Processes and Political Strategies in Committees: The Case of Controversial Supreme Court Justice Nomination Hearings
pp 249-260
- By Katherine M. Gannon, Department of Psychology, Texas Tech University
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11 - When Gender Goes to Combat: The Impact of Representations in Collective Decision Making
pp 261-278
- By Silvana Rubino-Hallman, Department of Political Science, Syracuse University
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12 - Representations of the Gulf Crisis as Derived from the U.S. Senate Debate
pp 279-302
- By James F. Voss, Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Jennifer Wiley, Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Joel Kennet, Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, Tonya E. Schooler, Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Laurie Ney Silfies, Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh
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13 - Configuring Issue Areas: Belgian and Dutch Representations of the Role of Foreign Assistance in Foreign Policy
pp 303-330
- By Marijke Breuning, Department of Political Science, Truman State University
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Part IV - Conclusion
pp 331-332
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14 - Reflecting on the Study of Problem Representation: How Are We Studying It, and What Are We Learning?
pp 333-342
- By Donald A. Sylvan, Department of Political Science, Ohio State University
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Index
pp 343-347
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Problem Representation in Foreign Policy Decision-Making

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv

Contents
pp v-vi

List of Contributors
pp vii-viii

Part I - Introducing Problem Representation
pp 1-2

1 - Introduction
pp 3-7

2 - On the Representation of Problems: An Information-Processing Approach to Foreign Policy Decision Making
pp 8-26

Part II - Overarching Conceptual Issues
pp 27-28

3 - The Interpretation of Foreign Policy Events: A Cognitive Process Theory
pp 29-52

4 - Problem Identification in Sequential Policy Decision Making: The Re-representation of Problems
pp 53-79

5 - Collective Interpretations: How Problem Representations Aggregate in Foreign Policy Groups
pp 80-115

6 - Image Change and Problem Representation after the Cold War
pp 116-144

Part III - Empirical Analysis
pp 145-146

7 - Problem Representations and Political Expertise: Evidence from “Think Aloud” Protocols of South African Elite
pp 147-186

8 - Reasoning and Problem Representation in Foreign Policy: Groups, Individuals, and Stories
pp 187-212

9 - Representing Problem Representation
pp 213-248

10 - A Problem-Solving Perspective on Decision-Making Processes and Political Strategies in Committees: The Case of Controversial Supreme Court Justice Nomination Hearings
pp 249-260

11 - When Gender Goes to Combat: The Impact of Representations in Collective Decision Making
pp 261-278

12 - Representations of the Gulf Crisis as Derived from the U.S. Senate Debate
pp 279-302

13 - Configuring Issue Areas: Belgian and Dutch Representations of the Role of Foreign Assistance in Foreign Policy
pp 303-330

Part IV - Conclusion
pp 331-332

14 - Reflecting on the Study of Problem Representation: How Are We Studying It, and What Are We Learning?
pp 333-342

Index
pp 343-347

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Problem Representation in Foreign Policy Decision-Making

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