Investigating Leaders: Integrating the Study of Individuals in Foreign Policy Analysis and International Relations

Foreign policy analysis (FPA) has long studied leaders and individual decision makers. In contrast, international relations (IR) favored the system level of analysis, treating state as an abstract unitary actor. However, IR begun to rediscover making this opportune time consider contributions both FPA study This article reviews how makers, highlighting prominent approaches in each field, comparing these –highlighting similarities, differences, connections –and discusses appropriate applications empirical research. The contribution ends with suggestions for integrating integration benefits ability address interesting research questions regarding role makers politics.