Citation

Garrison JA. Polit. Psychol. 2001; 22(4): 775-807.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, International Society of Political Psychology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/0162-895X.00262

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article examines strategic framing efforts within the president's inner circle of foreign policy advisors. The comparative case study method is used to describe and explain the framing process involved in President Jimmy Carter's arms control decisions with respect to the Soviet Union. Carter's two central foreign policy advisors, National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski and Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, portrayed the Soviets in very different terms. The premise underlying this study is that advisors attempt to frame their policy preferences favorably in order to influence the group process and the president's policy choice. Advisors do so by playing up the positive aspects of an option and downplaying any negative aspects. Three components of the framing process are explored: historical/cultural symbolism, personal beliefs and values, and political cost assessments.

Language: en