Mean-field method with correlations determined by linear response.

We introduce a mean-field approximation based on the reconciliation of maximum entropy and linear response for correlations in the cluster variation method. Within a general formalism that includes previous mean-field methods, we derive formulas improving on, e.g., the Bethe approximation and the Sessak-Monasson result at high temperature. Applying the method to direct and inverse Ising problems, we find improvements over standard implementations.