Essence of Decision : Explaining the Cubana Missile
About this book
Why did the United States and the Soviet Union come so close to nuclear war in 1962, and how was catastrophe averted? Essence of Decision offers a groundbreaking analysis of the Cuban Missile Crisis, not just as a historical episode but as a lens through which to examine the complexities of high-stakes government decision-making. Drawing on political science and organizational theory, the book introduces three distinct models for understanding state the Rational Actor Model, which assumes strategic calculation; the Organizational Behavior Model, which emphasizes institutional procedures; and the Governmental Politics Model, which highlights internal bargaining and competing interests. By applying these frameworks to a single event, the authors reveal how different interpretations can emerge from the same facts—and why understanding the machinery of decision-making is essential to diplomacy, security, and leadership. Thoroughly researched and intellectually rigorous, this revised edition remains a foundational text for students, scholars, and professionals in international relations, political science, and public policy.