Debate whether the “great man” approach to foreign policy is still relevant in the era of institutionalised diplomacy and bureaucratic decision-making. Explore how domestic political contexts interact with idiosyncratic factors to produce distinctive foreign policy choices.

The Relevance of the “Great Man” Approach in Foreign Policy Analysis: Idiosyncrasy, Institutions, and the Domestic Context The study of foreign policy has historically oscillated between the agency-centered “great man” theory and structural or institutionalist approaches that privilege systemic and bureaucratic determinants. The “great man” approach attributes decisive influence to the personality, belief systems, and … Continue reading Debate whether the “great man” approach to foreign policy is still relevant in the era of institutionalised diplomacy and bureaucratic decision-making. Explore how domestic political contexts interact with idiosyncratic factors to produce distinctive foreign policy choices.

Comment on the statement: “Decision-making theory enriches foreign policy analysis but cannot claim the status of a general theory of international relations.” Examine the decision-making approach in international politics and analyse why it is often regarded as only a partial theory of global political behaviour.

Decision-Making Theory and Its Place in International Relations: An Appraisal Introduction The study of international relations (IR) has always wrestled with the problem of how states formulate and implement their foreign policies. While systemic theories such as realism and liberal institutionalism tend to privilege structural constraints or institutional frameworks, the decision-making approach shifts attention to … Continue reading Comment on the statement: “Decision-making theory enriches foreign policy analysis but cannot claim the status of a general theory of international relations.” Examine the decision-making approach in international politics and analyse why it is often regarded as only a partial theory of global political behaviour.