Rolling the Iron Dice: Historical Analogies and Decisions to Use Military Force in Regional Contingencies

Rolling the Iron Dice: Historical Analogies and Decisions to Use Military Force in Regional Contingencies. By Scot Macdonald. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2000. ISBN 0-313-31421-7. Notes. Bibliography. Index. Pp. xi, 247. $69.50.

In keeping with academic tradition, Scot Macdonald wastes no time in stating the purpose of his study, Rolling the Iron Dice: "This book attempts to build on political science and psychological research by analyzing the influence of historical information, particularly historical analogies, on foreign policy decision making, particularly when leaders consider using military force in regional contingencies"(p. 3). Following a detailed discussion of the nature, function, and risks of historical analogies, and the processes through which they can be employed in foreign policy crises, particularly in terms of "the balance between...