Presidential Leadership, Illness, and Decision Making

Examines the impact of medical and psychological illness on foreign policy decision making. Illness provides specific, predictable, and recognizable shifts in attention, time perspective, cognitive capacity, judgment, and emotion, which systematically affect impaired leaders. In particular, this book discusses the ways in which processes related to aging, physical and psychological illness, and addiction influence decision making. This book provides detailed analysis of four cases among the American presidency. Woodrow Wilsons October 1919 stroke affected his behavior during the Senate fight over ratifying the League of Nations. Franklin Roosevelts severe coronary disease influenced his decisions concerning the conduct of war in the Pacific from 19431945 in particular. John Kennedys illnesses and treatments altered his behavior at the 1961 Vienna conference with Soviet Premier Khrushchev. And Nixons psychological impairments biased his decisions regarding the covert bombing of Cambodia in 19691970. Examines the impact of medical and psychological illness on foreign policy decision making. Illness provides specific, predictable, and recognizable shifts in attention, time perspective, cognitive capacity, judgment, and emotion, which systematically affect impaired leaders. In particular, this book discusses the ways in which processes related to aging, physical and psychological illness, and addiction influence decision making. This book provides detailed analysis of four cases among the American presidency. Woodrow Wilsons October 1919 stroke affected his behavior during the Senate fight over ratifying the League of Nations. Franklin Roosevelts severe coronary disease influenced his decisions concerning the conduct of war in... Read More

Categories: Action & Adventure