Scott Crichlow, associate professor in the West Virginia University Department of Political Science, thinks certain decision-making techniques and practices limit the ability of policymakers to achieve their goals and advance the national interest.
Crichlow has published a book, “Groupthink Versus High-Quality Decision Making in International Relations,” with Mark Schafer, professor of political science at Louisiana State University, which discusses how understanding and improving the dynamics of contemporary decision making can affect the success of any policy.
In the book, published by Columbia University Press, Crichlow and Schafer identify factors that contribute to good and bad policymaking, including the personalities of political leaders, the structure of decision-making groups and the nature of the exchange between participating individuals.
They examine the decision to invade Iraq in 2003, and pinpoint the factors that likely lead to successful and failed decision making, as well as suggesting ways to improve the process.
Additionally, “Groupthink Versus High-Quality Decision Making in International Relations” illustrates how staffing of key offices and the structure of central decision-making bodies determine the path of an administration.
“After examining 30 years of decision making at the highest level of government, we see a clear pattern in that the process affects the quality of the outcome, and whether it is good or bad depends in part on a person’s values and ideology,” said Crichlow.
“Regardless of the situation a decision-making group is in, knowing the individuals and how the group operates can help indicate what policy choice is likely to be made and whether their choice will prove successful,” he added.
Crichlow teaches international relations, foreign policy, political psychology, and Middle Eastern politics.
His research focuses on how group decision making dynamics and political leader’s beliefs and personalities affect foreign policy.
Crichlow has had numerous articles published in International Studies Quarterly, Journal of Conflict Resolution, Political Psychology, and Journal of Politics. In addition, he is the editor of Beliefs and Leadership in World Politics, with colleague Stephen Walker.
Crichlow earned a doctoral degree from Louisiana State University.
Schafer is the past president of the Foreign Policy Analysis section of the International Studies Association and has received the Erik Erikson Award for Early Career Achievement from the International Society of Political Psychology.
For more information, contact Scott Crichlow at 304-293-3811 ext. 5288 or Scott.Crichlow@mail.wvu.edu.
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