The Domestic Sources of American Foreign Policy: Insights and Evidence

by James M. McCormick (Editor)

The new edition of this leading reader for courses in American foreign policy offers students an up-to-date, highly accessible introduction to the broad array of domestic factors influencing U.S. policymakers. Editor James M. McCormick has carefully selected two dozen current insightful and sometimes controversial essays by a distinguished group of leading experts— scholars, journalists and public officials—including 11 new and 7 updated contributions.

In his introduction, McCormick evaluates the challenges facing U.S. foreign policy makers in recent years and assesses the Obama Administration’s successes and failures in its efforts to pursue a new direction in American foreign policy. The volume is then divided into three major parts with an opening essay by the editor to place each part in context and then a selection of essays that analyzes the topic in that part in more detail. Part I, "The Societal Environment," contains a series of articles on the position of interest groups, the impact of military experience, the effect of public opinion, and the role of elections and political parties on foreign policy. Part II, "The Institutional Setting," examines how various political institutions, such as Congress, the presidency, and various bureaucracies (e.g., the National Security Council, the intelligence community) shape American foreign policy. Part III, "Decision makers and Their Policymaking Positions," provides various case analyses over several administrations to illustrate how individuals and bureaucracies affect the foreign policy decision making at the highest levels of government.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Political Science, History, Grad School, Academia

484 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1994

Reviews

[ADD · Rating 3 out of 5]

While there were several really good chapters in this book, many of them are dated. The book was published a decade ago (2004) but many of the articles/chapters were completed late 2002 and predict future behaviors / events with mixed results. Yet, many chapters discussed aspects of policy-making that are quite relevant regardless of which administration was used as the example. A good primer on American foreign policy determination and all the players / actors that have a hand in its creation and implementation.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Errrr, a bit obvious. Election cycles matter, domestic opinion matter, lobby groups matter...they all affect our FP.

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

PLS 312: U.S. Foreign Policy

Super useful