In this edition of the Ideas Podcast, Elizabeth N. Saunders speaks with New Books Network host, Eleonora Mattiacci about how elites shape the use of force in American foreign policy.
One of the most widely held views of democratic leaders is that they are cautious about using military force because voters can hold them accountable, ultimately making democracies more peaceful. How, then, are leaders able to wage war in the face of popular opposition, or end conflicts when the public still supports them? The Insiders’ Game sheds light on this enduring puzzle, arguing that the primary constraints on decisions about war and peace come from elites, not the public.
About the Author
Elizabeth N. Saunders is professor of political science at Columbia University. She is the author of Leaders at War: How Presidents Shape Military Interventions.
Our host is Eleonora Mattiacci, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Amherst College. She is the author of Volatile States in International Politics (Oxford University Press, 2023).
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