THE POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY OF THE GULF-WAR - LEADERS, PUBLICS, AND THE PROCESS OF CONFLICT - RENSHON,SA

The contributors to this excellent book on the Persian Gulf war examin e the psychological aspects of the conflict on multiple levels-the int ernational system, culture, region, domestic politics, advisory group, and the individual leaders. Alexander George appraises the implicatio ns of the war for the post-Cold War international system and American foreign policy. L. Carl Brown and Shibley Telhami illuminate why many Arabs supported Saddam Hussein, and yet did not protest his rout by U. S, military forces, Jarol Manheim and John Mueller analyze how the pre sident and various public relations firms used symbols to manipulate t he preferences and perceptions of the United States public in favor of war. Janice Stein and Jerrold Post conclude that Saddam Hussein's psy chological needs and beliefs precluded successful use of either deterr ence or compellance by the United States. Stanley Renshon and Stephen Wayne explain George Bush's response to the Iraqi invasion in terms of his beliefs, emotions, and management of his foreign policy advisory group. The book successfully integrates psychological insights with po litical analysis of the cultures of the Middle East, the role of publi c opinion and the media in shaping foreign policy, and cognitive const raints on the use of deterrence and compellance strategies.