Loss aversion and US European security policy, 1989 to 1999
Journal: K-State Research Exchange (Kansas State University)
Year: 2018

From 1989 to 1999, the US had an opportunity to end its rivalry with Russia.However, a "loss aversion heuristic" dominated the decision-making processes of George Bush and Bill Clinton resulting in policies that provoked Russian fears of encirclement.This "loss aversion heuristic" manifested in four key security decisions: the reunification of Germany within NATO, NATO expansion to newly independent states, the Balkans interventions, and the nuclear nonproliferation regime.Although initially sus