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Political structure and foreign policy learning: Are democracies more likely to act on the lessons of history?

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  • Dan Reiter

Abstract

This paper assesses the impact of domestic political structure on whether a state's foreign policy will reflect the lessons of history. The paper focuses on one theory of learning in foreign policy, the formative events model. Drawing on social psychology and public opinion literatures, two arguments are made as to why the foreign policies of democracies may be more likely to reflect the lessons of formative events than those of non‐democracies. Another argument, based on a bureaucratic learning model, is made as to why the foreign policies of non‐democracies may be more likely than those of democracies to reflect the lessons of formative events. These hypotheses are then tested on behavior in three areas, alliances, crisis bargaining, and extended deterrence. The results indicate limited support for the hypothesis that the foreign policies of democracies are more likely to reflect the lessons of formative events than those of non‐democracies.

Suggested Citation

  • Dan Reiter, 1995. "Political structure and foreign policy learning: Are democracies more likely to act on the lessons of history?," International Interactions, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(1), pages 39-62.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:ginixx:v:21:y:1995:i:1:p:39-62
    DOI: 10.1080/03050629508434859
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael J. Ireland & Scott Sigmund Gartner, 2001. "Time to Fight," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 45(5), pages 547-568, October.
    2. Bosancianu, Constantin Manuel & Dionne, Kim Yi & Hilbig, Hanno & Humphreys, Macartan & KC, Sampada & Lieber, Nils & Scacco, Alex, 2020. "Political and Social Correlates of Covid-19 Mortality," SocArXiv ub3zd, Center for Open Science.
    3. Dan Reiter & Allan C. Stam III, 1998. "Democracy and Battlefield Military Effectiveness," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 42(3), pages 259-277, June.
    4. Scott Sigmund Gartner, 1998. "Opening Up the Black Box of War," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 42(3), pages 252-258, June.
    5. Stephen Biddle & Stephen Long, 2004. "Democracy and Military Effectiveness," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 48(4), pages 525-546, August.

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