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K ennedy, J ohnson, and Policy toward C hina: Testing the Importance of the President in Foreign Policy Decision Making
Author(s) -
Newmann William W.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
presidential studies quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.337
H-Index - 5
eISSN - 1741-5705
pISSN - 0360-4918
DOI - 10.1111/psq.12154
Subject(s) - presidency , presidential system , political science , presidential election , public administration , economics , law , politics
While scholars may be pleased with parsimonious models of the presidency in which institutional variables determine presidents' decision‐making structures, veteran policy makers argue that scholars miss the essence of decision: people make decisions. This article tests the impact of the president as a variable. The transition from K ennedy to J ohnson is a case where all variables remained the same, except the occupant of the Oval Office. Study of the impact of a new president on decision making toward C hina helps define the influence of both institutional and presidential‐centered variables as well as the importance of senior presidential advisors.