CentralNotice From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation , search The madman theory was an important part of Richard Nixon 's foreign policy The madman theory was a primary characteristic of the foreign policy conducted by U.S. President Richard Nixon . His administration, the executive branch of the federal government of the United States from 1969 to 1974, attempted to make the leaders of other countries think Nixon was mad , and that his behavior was irrational and volatile. According to Nixon's theory, leaders of hostile Communist Bloc nations would then avoid provoking the United States , fearing an unpredictable American response. Nixon explained the strategy to his White House Chief of Staff , H. R. Haldeman : I call it the Madman Theory, Bob. I want the North Vietnamese to believe I've reached the point where I might do anything to stop t...