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Bruce Bueno de Mesquita
is the co-author (with Kiron K. Skinner, Serhiy Kudelia, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita, and Condoleezza Rice) of University of Michigan Press release The Strategy of Campaigning (2007), which explores the political careers of Ronald Reagan and Boris Yeltsin, two of the most galvanizing and often controversial political figures of our time. Both men overcame defeat early in their political careers and rose to the highest elected offices in their respective countries.

The authors demonstrate how and why Reagan and Yeltsin succeeded in their political aspirations, despite—or perhaps because of—their apparent "policy extremism": that is, their advocacy of policy positions far from the mainstream. The book analyzes the viability of policy extremism as a political strategy that enables candidates to forge new coalitions and outflank conventional political allegiances.

PRAISE FOR THE STRATEGY OF CAMPAIGNING:

"I know of no other study which has so brilliantly examined campaign strategies of such importance across cultural divides. This book should be required reading for everyone who wants to understand modern political strategies in historic context."
—Newt Gingrich, Former Speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives

"The lessons of how Reagan and Yeltsin transformed the world are so profound that they go beyond international affairs. Every leader—in business, innovation, politics, and life—should understand them. The campaigns of Reagan and Yeltsin were based on redefining the competition and the issues. This book, using new archival research, will fascinate not only historians but anyone interested in the lessons of leadership."
—Walter Isaacson, President of the Aspen Institute and author of Einstein: His Life and Universe

"The Strategy of Campaigning is fascinating and important. As personalities, Ronald Reagan and Boris Yeltsin could hardly be more different; the political systems they transformed were also at opposite ends of the political spectrum. Nevertheless, the story of how each went about changing his political environment provides important insights into today's much altered
political world."
—Jack F. Matlock, Jr., U. S. Ambassador to the USSR, 1987-91