"Although some claim that the emphasis on preventive action in the Bush Doctrine and in the American war in Iraq is a clear departure from two centuries of American foreign policy, and perhaps from the conduct of diplomacy more generally, Why Leaders Choose War provides a convincing demonstration of the central role of prevention in the international politics of the last half century and before. Renshon's emphasis on the psychology of political leaders breaks new theoretical ground in the analysis of prevention, and his historical studies of cases in which prevention was seriously considered are well researched and quite informative. Renshon offers an important perspective on a critical issue of contemporary security policy in uncertain times."
—
Jack S. Levy, Board of Governors' Professor, Department of Political Science, Rutgers University
Douglas C. Foyle
"As timely as today's headlines, Renshon's work will require scholars to reconsider their understanding of the process of preventive military action. In arguing that leaders and their perceptions play an influential role in these choices, this book provides must reading for those interested in understanding the complex dynamics of decisions to use force. Scholars and the informed citizen alike have much to learn from this insightful volume."
Jack S. Levy
"Although some claim that the emphasis on preventive action in the Bush Doctrine and in the American war in Iraq is a clear departure from two centuries of American foreign policy, and perhaps from the conduct of diplomacy more generally, Why Leaders Choose War provides a convincing demonstration of the central role of prevention in the international politics of the last half century and before. Renshon's emphasis on the psychology of political leaders breaks new theoretical ground in the analysis of prevention, and his historical studies of cases in which prevention was seriously considered are well researched and quite informative. Renshon offers an important perspective on a critical issue of contemporary security policy in uncertain times."
Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman
"Jonathan Renshon makes a contribution not only to the current debates about the strategic sense of preventive war but also to the longer term questions of the circumstances in which political leaders consider launching this type of action. The case studies demonstrate just how complex such decisions can be."
—
Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman, Department of War Studies, Kings College London
"A remarkable debut book by a young scholar that augurs for an outstanding academic career. Using a sophisticated comparative case study approach, Why Leaders Choose War adds substantially to our understanding of leaders' motivations for preventive war."
—
Jerrold M. Post, Professor of Psychiatry, Political Psychology and International Affairs, Director, Political Psychology Program, Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University
"As timely as today's headlines, Renshon's work will require scholars to reconsider their understanding of the process of preventive military action. In arguing that leaders and their perceptions play an influential role in these choices, this book provides must reading for those interested in understanding the complex dynamics of decisions to use force. Scholars and the informed citizen alike have much to learn from this insightful volume."
—
Douglas C. Foyle, Assistant Professor, Government Department^LWesleyan University
Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman
"Jonathan Renshon makes a contribution not only to the current debates about the strategic sense of preventive war but also to the longer term questions of the circumstances in which political leaders consider launching this type of action. The case studies demonstrate just how complex such decisions can be."
Jerrold M. Post
"A remarkable debut book by a young scholar that augurs for an outstanding academic career. Using a sophisticated comparative case study approach, Why Leaders Choose War adds substantially to our understanding of leaders' motivations for preventive war."
