Role of Personality in foreign Policy Decision Making A Case Analysis of Indira Gandhi

Abstract

ecision-making is one of the important theories of foreign policy newlineformulations. Within decision making theories actor-specific theory newlineadvocates that the major role is played by the personality entrusted with the newlinetask of formulating foreign policy responses. Actor-specific theory makes it newlineobvious that the personality of a leader plays a determining role in policy newlinemaking. Foreign policy of a state is thus guided and directed by various newlinefactors such as: historical-sociological approaches; psychological and social newlinecontext of decision-makers; social and political background of decision- newlinemaker etc. Accordingly it makes it imperative to explore the personality newlinemake-up of Prime Ministers and other relevant leaders and professionals newlineinvolved in the decision-making process. An understanding about the socio- newlinepsychological milieu of decision-maker would help towards understanding newlinethe present course of action and articulate the future responses to the newlinebehaviour of other nations. Therefore, the researcher proposes to conduct newlineresearch to understand and analyze the role of socio-psychological newlinedeterminants of Indira Gandhi which had a great bearing upon her foreign newlinepolicy formulations. In Indian context no such exclusive personality based newlineanalytical study of Decision-making has been done especially in context with newlineforeign policy formulation. Even if some attempts have been made they are newlinescattered, inadequate and warrants detail analysis to evolve the role of newlinepsychology in foreign policy decision-making. It is in this backdrop that newlineresearcher proposes to explore the role of personality in foreign policy newlinedecision-making with special reference to Late Smt. Indira Gandhi. Hence, newlinethis area requires more study. newline