Title
Why Leaders Lie: The Truth About Lying in International Politics,Used
Processing time: 1-3 days
US Orders Ships in: 3-5 days
International Orders Ships in: 8-12 days
Return Policy: 15-days return on defective items
Payment Option
For more than two decades, John J. Mearsheimer has been regarded as one of the foremost realist thinkers on foreign policy. Clear and incisive, a fearlessly honest analyst, his coauthored 2007 New York Times bestseller, The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy, aroused a firestorm with its unflinching look at the making of America's Middle East policy. Now he takes a look at another controversial but understudied aspect of international relations: lying.In Why Leaders Lie, Mearsheimer provides the first systematic analysis of lying as a tool of statecraft, identifying the varieties, the reasons, and the potential costs and benefits. Drawing on a trove of examples, he argues that leaders often lie for good strategic reasons, so a blanket condemnation is unrealistic and unwise. Yet there are other kinds of deception besides lying, including concealment and spinning. Perhaps no distinction is more important than that between lying to another state and lying to one's own people. Mearsheimer was amazed to discover how unusual interstate lying has been; given the atmosphere of distrust among the great powers, he found that outright deceit is difficult to pull off and thus rarely worth the effort. Plus it sometimes backfires when it does occur. Khrushchev lied about the size of the Soviet missile force, sparking an American buildup. Eisenhower got caught lying about U2 spy flights in 1960, which scuttled an upcoming summit with Krushchev. Leaders more often mislead their own publics, sometimes with damaging consequences. Though the reasons may be nobleFranklin Roosevelt, for example, lied to the American people about German Uboats attacking the destroyer Greer in 1940, to build a case for war against Hitlerthey can easily lead to disaster, as with the Bush administration's falsehoods about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.There has never been a sharp analysis of international lying. Now a leading expert fills the gap with a richly informed and powerfully argued book.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main topic of 'Why Leaders Lie'? A: 'Why Leaders Lie' explores the role of deception in international politics, analyzing why leaders lie and the implications of these lies on statecraft and public trust.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'Why Leaders Lie' is John J. Mearsheimer, a prominent scholar in the field of international relations and foreign policy.
- Q: What is the condition of the book being sold? A: The book is listed as 'Used Book in Good Condition', ensuring it is readable and well-preserved.
- Q: What is the page count of 'Why Leaders Lie'? A: 'Why Leaders Lie' has a total of 160 pages, making it a concise read on the subject of lying in international relations.
- Q: When was 'Why Leaders Lie' published? A: 'Why Leaders Lie' was published on March 1, 2013.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: The book is available in paperback binding, which is suitable for easy handling and reading.
- Q: Is this book suitable for academic study? A: Yes, 'Why Leaders Lie' is suitable for academic study as it provides a systematic analysis of lying in international politics, backed by historical examples.
- Q: What are some key themes discussed in the book? A: Key themes include the strategic use of lies in diplomacy, the distinction between lying to other states versus one's own citizens, and the consequences of deception.
- Q: Can this book help understand contemporary political issues? A: Yes, the insights provided by John J. Mearsheimer can help readers understand contemporary political issues through the lens of deception and statecraft.
- Q: Is there a specific edition of this book? A: The book is in its first edition, providing readers with the original insights and arguments presented by the author.