In this classic work, John Steinbruner argues that the time is ripe for exploration of a new theoretical perspective on the decision-making process in government. He suggests that the cybernetic theory of decision as developed in such diverse fields as information theory, mathematical logic, and behavioral psychology generates a systematic but non-rational analysis that seems to explain quite naturally decisions that are puzzling when viewed from the rational perspective. When combined with the basic understanding of human mental operations developed in cognitive psychology, the cybernetic theory of decision presents a striking picture of how decision makers deal with the intense uncertainty and fundamental value conflicts that arise in bureaucratic politics. To illustrate the advantages of using cybernetic theory, Steinbruner analyzes the issue of sharing nuclear weapons among the NATO allies.

Advances in Safety, Reliability and Risk Management contains the papers presented at the 20th European Safety and Reliability (ESREL 2011) annual conference in Troyes, France, in September 2011. The books covers a wide range of topics, including: Accident and Incident Investigation; Bayesian methods; Crisis and Emergency Management; Decision Making under Risk; Dynamic Reliability; Fault Diagnosis, Prognosis and System Health Management; Fault Tolerant Control and Systems; Human Factors and Human Reliability; Maintenance Modelling and Optimisation; Mathematical Methods in Reliability and Safety; Occupational Safety; Quantitative Risk Assessment; Reliability and Safety Data Collection and Analysis; Risk and Hazard Analysis; Risk Governance; Risk Management; Safety Culture and Risk Perception; Structural Reliability and Design Codes; System Reliability Analysis; Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analysis. Advances in Safety, Reliability and Risk Management will be of interest to academics and professionals working in a wide range of scientific, industrial and governmental sectors, including: Aeronautics and Aerospace; Chemical and Process Industry; Civil Engineering; Critical Infrastructures; Energy; Information Technology and Telecommunications; Land Transportation; Manufacturing; Maritime Transportation; Mechanical Engineering; Natural Hazards; Nuclear Industry; Offshore Industry; Policy Making and Public Planning.