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6.4: Model III- The Bureaucratic Politics Model

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    291424
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    The Bureaucratic Politics Model (BPM) posits that decisions are the result of bargaining, negotiation, and compromise among various government officials and agencies. According to this model, policies are not the product of a single, rational actor but are shaped by individuals with differing interests and goals.

    • Soviet Bureaucratic Politics: Khrushchev faced internal pressure due to the missile gap and the poor state of the Soviet economy. Cuba presented an inexpensive way to address both military and political issues. The decision to withdraw the missiles was a result of internal Soviet negotiations and external pressures.
    • U.S. Bureaucratic Politics: Kennedy faced significant political pressure from Republicans to take a tougher stance on Cuba, especially after the humiliation of the Bay of Pigs invasion. The choice of a blockade over more aggressive military action was seen as a balanced approach that would not escalate the crisis while still asserting U.S. power.

    This model highlights the role of internal political dynamics in shaping foreign policy. Decisions are often "ugly hybrids," influenced by personal preferences, organizational interests, and political bargaining.


    6.4: Model III- The Bureaucratic Politics Model is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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