| ID | 086250 |
| Title Proper | Assessing capabilities in international politics |
| Other Title Information | biased overestimation and the case of the imaginary missile gap |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Renshon, Jonathan |
| Publication | 2009. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | How states assess the capabilities of their adversaries and rivals is of paramount importance to the theory and practice of international relations. This paper presents a framework for understanding why states overestimate the capabilities of their adversaries. Three types of overestimation are presented, consisting of conscious/rational, erroneous and biased overestimation. In order to demonstrate the phenomenon of biased overestimation in international politics, the case of the 'Missile Gap' (1957-61) controversy in the United States is examined. |
| `In' analytical Note | Journal of Strategic Studies Vol. 32, No.1; February 2009: p115-147 |
| Journal Source | Journal of Strategic Studies Vol. 32, No.1; February 2009: p115-147 |
| Key Words | Overestimation ; Missile Gap ; Assessment of Adversaries |