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DECISION MAKING (CONTINUED):Rational Actor Model, Group Politics Model

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International Relations-PSC 201
VU
LESSON 31
DECISION MAKING (CONTINUED)
Decision Making Processes
Astute decision making requires:
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Identification of shortfalls
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Clarification of feasible objectives
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Obtaining relevant facts and identification of alternative
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Obtaining feedback during implementation to make policy modifications
Decision makers must avoid getting so preoccupied with mechanics of policy making that they ignore policy
content. Actual results emerging from a policy can differ from perceived objectives but it is difficult to take
all variables into account while formulating a policy decision
Decision Making Theories
Organizational Process Model: views the state as an organization obtaining input from different units to
reach a decision.
Following this model can result in a bounded rather than a comprehensive viewpoint due to the splitting up
and compartmentalization of problems.
Rational Actor Model: considers states as monolithic entities whose leaders try to maximize national
interests as a whole (Kissinger amongst others has favored this model of how states should make decisions).
Group Politics Model: uses a bureaucratic framework in which different departments/agencies pursue
their own vested interests as well as collective national interests.
Personality Process Model: in addition to information and processes, the personality model focuses on
cognitive and emotional factors in reaching decisions.
Difficulties in Decision Making
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Cognitive nearsightedness and the urge to make decisions to satisfy immediate needs must be
overcome for more sustainable outcomes.
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Oversimplification can lead to dealing with symptoms instead of problems resulting in immature
and inadequate decisions.
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Myopic perspectives without consultation and accommodation of different views lead to narrow
minded policies.
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Preconceived notions or distortion of facts can be used to justify favored decisions.
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Prioritization is necessary given the numerous problems contending for a decision maker's
attention.
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Making a right choice after through consideration of all relevant facts and alternatives is not easy.
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Avoiding biases is also difficult given that vested and divergent interests are often prevalent
amongst decision making units.
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International Relations-PSC 201
VU
�  Showing flexibility in view of divergent policy options and perceptions is needed to devise a sound
policy that will be implemented by all instead of being opposed to the point of causing
ineffectiveness.
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Comparative analysis of decisions made in similar circumstances and candid and competent
institutional support is vital for decision making in an increasingly complicated international
environment.
Relevant Vocabulary
Divergent ­ varying
Relevant ­ important
Myopic ­ narrow
Prioritization ­ ranking in order of importance
Candid ­ honest
Vital - crucial
Suggested Readings
Students are advised to read the following chapters to develop a better understanding of the various
principals highlighted in this hand-out:
Chapter 8 in `"A Study of International Relations" by Dr. Sultan Khan
Internet Resources
In addition to reading from the textbook, please visit the following web-pages for this lecture, which
provide useful and interesting information:
http://www.wwnorton.com/web/ir/chapters/ch6/critical-thinking.htm
Table of Contents:
  1. WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND WHAT IS ITS RELEVANCE?
  2. APPROACHES TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: THEORIES IN IR
  3. APPROACHES TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS:Traditional Approach
  4. THE NATION-STATE SYSTEM:Further Evolution of Nation-State
  5. THE NATION STATE SYSTEM: BASIC FEATURES OF A NATION-STATE
  6. NATIONAL INTEREST:Criteria for Defining National Interest
  7. NATIONAL INTEREST:Variations in National Interest, Relevant Vocabulary
  8. BALANCE OF POWER (BOP):BoP from a historical perspective
  9. BALANCE OF POWER (CONTINUED):Degree of Polarization, Functions of BoP
  10. DIPLOMACY:How Diplomacy Functions, Traditional Versus Modern Diplomacy
  11. DIPLOMACY (CONTINUED):Diplomatic Procedures & Practices, Functions of Diplomacy
  12. COLONIALISM, NEO-COLONIALISM & IMPERIALISM:Judging Colonization
  13. COLONIALISM, NEO-COLONIALISM & IMPERIALISM:Types of Neo-Colonialism
  14. COLONIALISM, NEO-COLONIALISM & IMPERIALISM:Objectives of Imperialism
  15. NEW INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ORDER:Criticism of IEO, NIEO Activities
  16. NEW INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ORDER:Prerequisites for the NIEO
  17. NON-ALIGNMENT MOVEMENT:Origin of NAM, NAM’s Institutional Structure
  18. NON-ALIGNMENT MOVEMENT (CONTINUED):Cairo Summit, Egypt - 1964
  19. NON-ALIGNMENT MOVEMENT:Criticism of NAM, NAM and Pakistan
  20. THE COLD WAR AND ITS IMPACTS - INTRODUCING THE COLD WAR PHENOMENON
  21. THE COLD WAR AND ITS IMPACTS (CONTINUED):Truman Doctrine, Marshal Plan
  22. THE COLD WAR AND ITS IMPACTS (CONTINUED):End of the Cold War
  23. DISARMAMENT AND ARMS CONTROL:History of Disarmament
  24. DISARMAMENT AND ARMS CONTROL (CONTINUED):Other Disarmament Efforts
  25. THE RELEVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
  26. THE RELEVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (CONTINUED)
  27. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:Need for IGOs, Categorizing IGOs
  28. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS (CONTINUED):United Nations, Criticism of the UN
  29. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS (CONTINUED):European Union, World Bank
  30. THE ROLE OF DECISION MAKING IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
  31. DECISION MAKING (CONTINUED):Rational Actor Model, Group Politics Model
  32. SYSTEMS APPROACH TO IR:Underlying Assumptions, Elements of the System
  33. SYSTEMS BASED APPROACH (CONTINUED) – DISTINCT SYSTEMS IN IR
  34. LIBERALISM AND SOCIAL DEMOCRACY:Neoliberalism
  35. LIBERALISM AND SOCIAL DEMOCRACY (CONTINUED):Liberalism vs. Social Democracy
  36. INTEGRATION IN IR:Preconditions for Integration, Assessing Integration
  37. GLOBALIZATION AND ITS IMPLICATIONS:Advocates of Globalization
  38. THE GLOBAL DIVIDE:World Social Forum, Can the Global Divide Be Bridged?
  39. FOCUS ON FOREIGN INVESTMENTS:Pro-poor Foreign Investments
  40. CONFLICT AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION:Components of a Conflict
  41. CONFLICT RESOLUTION:Creative response, Appropriate assertiveness
  42. THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT:Global Concern for the Environment
  43. THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT:Environmental Concerns and IR, Some Other Issues
  44. HOW IR DIFFER FROM DOMESTIC POLITICS?:Strategies for altering state behavior
  45. CHANGE AND IR:Continuity in IR, Causality and counterfactuals, IR in a nutshell