The Cuban Missile Crisis symbolizes a real showdown between two superpowers - the United States and the Soviet Union. Until today, the puzzling events occurred in the crisis prompt numerous questions, particularly in the scientific area. This research paper, therefore, aims the conduction of illustrating the main happenings during the crisis in order to be able to analyze them by using the three Conceptual Models developed by Graham T. Allison and Philip Zelikow.
Allison and Zelikow use these models to give an adequate explanation of how the process of decision-making proceeds, taking the crisis as a case study and answering three main questions: Why did the Soviet Union decide to place offensive missiles in Cuba? Why did the United States respond to the missile deployment with a blockade? Why did the Soviet Union withdraw the missiles?
For a better evaluation, this research paper thus, contextualizes firstly the Cuban Missile Crisis by explicating occurrences in the Cold War. Secondly, the suspenseful thirteen days during the Cuban Missile Crisis will be illuminated. Thirdly, in the last chapter, the models are outlined and used to answer the three puzzling questions stated above.
Table of Contents
- Abstract
- Key Words
- The Cold War - An Overview
- The Cuban Missile Crisis 1962
- Allison and Zelikow's Conceptual Models
- The Rational Model
- The Organizational Process Model
- The Governmental (Bureaucratic) Politics Model
- Explaining the Cuban Missile Crisis in Terms of Allison and Zelikow
- USSR's Deployment of Offensive Missiles in Cuba
- U.S.'s Decision to Install a Blockade
- Soviet Union's Withdrawal of the Missiles
- Bibliography
Objectives and Key Themes
This research paper aims to analyze the key events of the Cuban Missile Crisis using the three conceptual models developed by Graham T. Allison and Philip Zelikow. The paper seeks to explain the Soviet Union's decision to place missiles in Cuba, the U.S. response with a blockade, and the subsequent Soviet withdrawal. The analysis uses the Cold War context as a backdrop to understand the decisions made by both superpowers.
- The Cuban Missile Crisis as a pivotal moment in the Cold War.
- Analysis of decision-making processes during the crisis.
- Application of Allison and Zelikow's conceptual models to understand the crisis.
- The role of power dynamics and ideological conflict between the US and USSR.
- The impact of nuclear weapons on international relations.
Chapter Summaries
The Cold War - An Overview: This chapter provides a historical overview of the Cold War, beginning with the end of World War II and the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as two competing superpowers. It details the ideological conflict between capitalism and communism, the resulting power struggle, and the strategies employed by both sides—containment by the U.S. and the Soviet Union's attempt to spread communism. The chapter highlights key events such as the Berlin Blockade, the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, and the formation of NATO, emphasizing the escalating tensions and the constant threat of nuclear war. The Korean and Vietnam Wars are mentioned as examples of proxy conflicts fueled by this ideological struggle, showcasing the global reach and lasting impact of the Cold War dynamic. The chapter sets the stage for understanding the context and significance of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The Cuban Missile Crisis 1962: This chapter is expected to delve into the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis itself, detailing the 13-day period of intense tension between the US and the USSR. The chapter will likely discuss the discovery of Soviet missile sites in Cuba, the US response, and the negotiations between President Kennedy and Premier Khrushchev. This section will likely highlight the critical moments of the crisis, the high stakes involved, and the potential for a nuclear war. The chapter will lay the groundwork for the application of Allison and Zelikow's models in subsequent sections.
Allison and Zelikow's Conceptual Models: This chapter will introduce the three conceptual models—Rational Actor, Organizational Process, and Governmental Politics—that Allison and Zelikow propose for analyzing decision-making in foreign policy. The chapter will explain the assumptions and mechanisms of each model, providing a framework for analyzing the decisions made by the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The descriptions will likely include the strengths and limitations of each model, preparing the reader for their application in subsequent chapters.
Keywords
Cuban Missile Crisis, Cold War, Soviet Union, United States, Nuclear Weapons, Decision-making, Graham T. Allison, Philip Zelikow, Containment, Ideological Conflict, International Relations.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of the Cuban Missile Crisis
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a research paper analyzing the Cuban Missile Crisis using three conceptual models developed by Graham T. Allison and Philip Zelikow. It includes the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What topics are covered in the research paper?
The research paper covers the Cuban Missile Crisis within the context of the Cold War. It analyzes the decision-making processes of the US and the USSR during the crisis, specifically focusing on the Soviet Union's deployment of missiles in Cuba, the US blockade, and the subsequent missile withdrawal. The paper utilizes Allison and Zelikow's three conceptual models – Rational Actor, Organizational Process, and Governmental Politics – to explain these events.
What are Allison and Zelikow's three conceptual models?
Allison and Zelikow's models provide frameworks for analyzing foreign policy decision-making. The Rational Actor model assumes a unified actor making rational decisions based on cost-benefit analysis. The Organizational Process model considers the influence of bureaucratic structures and standard operating procedures. The Governmental Politics model emphasizes the bargaining and compromises among competing interests within a government.
How are these models applied to the Cuban Missile Crisis?
The research paper applies each model to understand the decisions made by both the US and the USSR during the crisis. This includes explaining why the USSR placed missiles in Cuba, why the US responded with a blockade, and why the USSR ultimately withdrew the missiles. The analysis considers the strengths and limitations of each model in explaining the events.
What is the historical context provided in the paper?
The paper provides a general overview of the Cold War, highlighting the ideological conflict between the US and the USSR, key events leading up to the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the global implications of the superpower rivalry. This context sets the stage for understanding the decisions made during the crisis.
What are the key themes explored in the research paper?
Key themes include the Cuban Missile Crisis as a pivotal moment in the Cold War, analysis of decision-making processes, application of Allison and Zelikow's models, the role of power dynamics and ideological conflict, and the impact of nuclear weapons on international relations.
What are the key chapters in the research paper?
The research paper includes chapters on: an overview of the Cold War, a detailed account of the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, an explanation of Allison and Zelikow's three conceptual models, and an application of these models to the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis. It also includes an abstract and a bibliography.
What are the keywords associated with this research paper?
Keywords include: Cuban Missile Crisis, Cold War, Soviet Union, United States, Nuclear Weapons, Decision-making, Graham T. Allison, Philip Zelikow, Containment, Ideological Conflict, and International Relations.
- Citation du texte
- Janine Evangelista (Auteur), 2018, An Examination of the Cuban Missile Crisis in terms of Allison and Zelikow's Conceptual Models, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/415801
