What if They Gave a Crisis and Nobody Came? Interpreting International Crises

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The book delves into the interpretive nature of crises, emphasizing that decision-makers act as interpreters of complex symbols rather than mere observers of threats. It employs a hermeneutic approach to analyze historical events involving Kennedy, Nixon, and Kissinger, questioning why certain crises, like the Cuban missile crisis, are remembered differently than others. The author argues that our understanding of crises is shaped by interpretation rather than the events themselves, highlighting the importance of humanistic inquiry in political analysis.