To model war, we first need to make assumptions…
Takeaway Points
- The unitary actor assumption treats states as a single entity that tries to maximize national interest, broadly defined. (Thus, “national interest” could mean the states are very benevolent.)
- Thus, we rule out political cleavages between leaders and their citizens.
- While such cleavages certainly exist, they will exist simultaneously with the problems we will be discussing in this unit.
