How States Think: The Rationality of Foreign Policy by Mearsheimer, John J., and Sebastian Rosato (Yale University Press, 2023, 304)

Abstract

Much of modern International Relations theoretical frameworks are based on the notion that “states are rational actors,” meaning their leaders act in a purposive way when making foreign policy. How States Think: The Rationality of Foreign Policy, presents a much-needed scholarly viewpoint, by two distinguished American political scientists, John J. Mearsheimer and Rosato Sebastian, about the backend thought process behind the rational foreign policy formulation. The book comprises nine chapters: (i) The Rational Actor Assumption; (ii) Strategic Rationality and Uncertainty; (iii) Defining Strategic Rationality; (iv) Contending Definitions; (v) Rationality and Grand Strategy; (vi) Rationality and Crisis Management; (vii) Nonrational State Behavior; (viii) Goal Rationality; and (ix) Rationality in  International Politics.