The belief system and national images: a case study

Even a cursory survey of the relevant literature reveals that in recent years-particularly in the decade and a half since the end of World War II-students of international politics have taken a growing interest in psycho-attitudinal approaches to the study of the international system. It has been proposed, in fact, that psychology belongs at the core of the discipline (Wright, 1955, p. 506). Two related problems within this area have become particular foci of attention. 1. A number of studies have shown that the relationship between belief system, perceptions, and decision-making is a vital one (Rokeach, 1960; Smith et al., 1956; Snyder et al., 1954).2 A decision-maker acts upon his image of the situation rather than . The Belief System and National Images