Books by Brian C. (University of Southern California) Rathbun

International relations scholars typically assume the rationality of foreign policy makers when in fact leaders systematically vary in the rationality of their thinking. Through case studies of leaders like Churchill and Reagan, Rathbun shows that the imposed standard of rationality, based in objectivity and deliberation, was often absent.

Challenging conventional views in the field, Rathbun argues that trust is fundamental to international cooperation, international organizations and American multilateralism. Arguing that liberals and conservatives trust to different degrees, he suggests that this difference explains domestic political debates over foreign policy in US politics.