Graham Allison American political scientist Date of Birth: 23.03.1940 Country: USA

Content:

1. Early Life and Education
2. Academic Career
3. Government Service
4. Deputy Secretary of Defense
5. Research and Publications
6. Nuclear Terrorism
7. Current Position

Early Life and Education

Graham Tillett Allison Jr. was born on March 23, 1940, in North Carolina, USA. In 1962, he graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University. He then spent two years at Oxford University before returning to Harvard, where he earned a Ph.D. in Political Science and Government in 1968.

Academic Career

Allison began his academic career at Harvard University, where he served as an assistant professor from 1968, associate professor from 1970, and professor in the Department of Government from 1972. In 1977, he became the founding dean of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, a position he held until 1989. During his tenure, the school grew by 400% in size and 700% in endowment.

Government Service

Assistant Secretary of Defense

Allison served as Special Advisor to the Secretary of Defense under President Reagan and as Assistant Secretary of Defense under President Clinton. He has been heavily involved in American defense policy since the 1960s, serving as an advisor and consultant to the Pentagon.

Deputy Secretary of Defense

In the early 1990s, Allison served as Deputy Secretary of Defense under President Clinton. He received the Public Service Medal for his role in developing policy toward the former Soviet Union.

Research and Publications

Essence of Decision

Allison gained recognition in the early 1970s for his seminal work, "Essence of Decision: Explaining the Cuban Missile Crisis." This book introduced two new technical paradigms, the organizational process model and the bureaucratic politics model, and challenged the prevailing "rational actor" approach to understanding foreign policy decision-making.

Nuclear Terrorism

In recent years, Allison has focused on the threat of nuclear terrorism. His book, "Nuclear Terrorism: The Ultimate Preventable Catastrophe," examines the issue of terrorists acquiring and using nuclear weapons and advocates for comprehensive national and international measures to prevent it.

Current Position

Graham T. Allison is currently the Director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and the Douglas Dillon Professor of Government at the Harvard Kennedy School. He is considered one of the foremost political scientists of our time and has mentored numerous high-profile politicians, diplomats, and government officials.

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