Research Handbook on American Foreign and Security Policy
Published on 24. April 2026
Book
Hardback
272 pages
978-1-0353-2062-2 (ISBN)
Description
This comprehensive Research Handbook provides a contemporary review of research on American foreign and security policy, exploring its sources and processes as well as patterns of change and continuity.
Drawing on both theoretical and empirical perspectives, leading scholars examine the external factors that influence US foreign policy, including geopolitics, globalization, great power rivalry, and international organizations. They also investigate the impact of key internal institutions and processes such as the Presidency and the Congress, as well as the effects of interest groups and civil society. The Research Handbook also analyzes the policy tools available to decision makers, with an emphasis on the use and efficacy of sanctions and foreign assistance.
The Research Handbook on American Foreign and Security Policy is an essential resource for scholars and students of international politics, international relations, public policy, and American politics. It is also beneficial for policymakers, practitioners, and think tank intellectuals seeking a holistic understanding of American foreign policy.
Drawing on both theoretical and empirical perspectives, leading scholars examine the external factors that influence US foreign policy, including geopolitics, globalization, great power rivalry, and international organizations. They also investigate the impact of key internal institutions and processes such as the Presidency and the Congress, as well as the effects of interest groups and civil society. The Research Handbook also analyzes the policy tools available to decision makers, with an emphasis on the use and efficacy of sanctions and foreign assistance.
The Research Handbook on American Foreign and Security Policy is an essential resource for scholars and students of international politics, international relations, public policy, and American politics. It is also beneficial for policymakers, practitioners, and think tank intellectuals seeking a holistic understanding of American foreign policy.
Reviews / Votes
'US foreign policymaking is increasingly complicated in the 21st century. The Research Handbook on American Foreign and Security Policy, edited by David Skidmore, is a welcome tool for both scholars and students to help identify the driving forces underlying US foreign policy decisions.' -- Ralph G. Carter, Texas Christian University, USA 'This timely volume brings together a collection of prominent scholars who provide insightful essays focused on the sources of American foreign and security policy - international, institutional, and societal - and key policy tools to which policymakers turn. Focused on explanation rather than policy prescription, the volume is a valuable resource for scholars and foreign policy analysts seeking to put current policy debates and actions into context.' -- James M. Scott, Illinois State University, USA 'Research Handbook on American Foreign and Security Policy offers a timely and sophisticated examination of the sources of American Foreign Policy, exploring both the external and internal motivations for American actions and military involvements around the globe. A noteworthy group of authors investigates the why and the how of these policies and their implementation, offering in-depth insight and analysis. This Research Handbook contributes a vital and honest assessment of the origin and meaning of American Foreign Policy.' -- Rose McDermott, Brown University, USAMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 244 mm
Width: 169 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-0353-2062-2 (9781035320622)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Edited by David Skidmore, Professor, Department of Political Science, Drake University, USA
Content
Contents
Introduction: the varied and changing sources of American foreign policy 1
David Skidmore
PART I THE UNITED STATES AND ITS EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT
1 Explaining patterns of multilateralism and unilateralism in American
foreign policy 11
David Skidmore
2 America and international institutions in the twenty-first century 26
Terrence L. Chapman
3 Geopolitics and American geostrategic thinking from the nineteenth
century to today 42
David Criekemans
PART II THE INSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN POLICY MAKING
4 The president and foreign policy making: the growth of executive power 63
James M. McCormick
5 The ever-evolving role of Congress in American foreign policy 78
Patrick Homan
6 The resurgence of bureaucratic politics in the study of American foreign
policy 92
Don Casler
7 The intelligence community's role in the foreign policy process 108
Jennifer D. Kibbe
8 American foreign policy decision making: Department of State versus the
National Security Council 123
James M. McCormick
PART III INTERESTS AND CIVIL SOCIETY
9 Ethnic interest groups and United States foreign policy 142
Carlos Gustavo Poggio Teixeira and Joao Paolo Nicolini Gabriel
10 The foreign policy consequences of partisan polarization 156
Jeffrey S. Peake
11 The illusion and reality of influence: think tanks and the making of U.S.
foreign and defense policy 172
Donald E. Abelson
12 Elections and U.S. foreign policy 186
Andrew Payne
13 Of professors and policymakers: exploring the relationship between
international relations scholarship and practice 201
Paul C. Avey
PART IV POLICY TOOLS
14 The use of sanctions in U.S. foreign policy 219
Jordan Tama
15 Foreign aid as a U.S. foreign policy tool: from the Marshall Plan through
today 234
Daniel C. Tirone and Dmitriy Nurullayev
Introduction: the varied and changing sources of American foreign policy 1
David Skidmore
PART I THE UNITED STATES AND ITS EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT
1 Explaining patterns of multilateralism and unilateralism in American
foreign policy 11
David Skidmore
2 America and international institutions in the twenty-first century 26
Terrence L. Chapman
3 Geopolitics and American geostrategic thinking from the nineteenth
century to today 42
David Criekemans
PART II THE INSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN POLICY MAKING
4 The president and foreign policy making: the growth of executive power 63
James M. McCormick
5 The ever-evolving role of Congress in American foreign policy 78
Patrick Homan
6 The resurgence of bureaucratic politics in the study of American foreign
policy 92
Don Casler
7 The intelligence community's role in the foreign policy process 108
Jennifer D. Kibbe
8 American foreign policy decision making: Department of State versus the
National Security Council 123
James M. McCormick
PART III INTERESTS AND CIVIL SOCIETY
9 Ethnic interest groups and United States foreign policy 142
Carlos Gustavo Poggio Teixeira and Joao Paolo Nicolini Gabriel
10 The foreign policy consequences of partisan polarization 156
Jeffrey S. Peake
11 The illusion and reality of influence: think tanks and the making of U.S.
foreign and defense policy 172
Donald E. Abelson
12 Elections and U.S. foreign policy 186
Andrew Payne
13 Of professors and policymakers: exploring the relationship between
international relations scholarship and practice 201
Paul C. Avey
PART IV POLICY TOOLS
14 The use of sanctions in U.S. foreign policy 219
Jordan Tama
15 Foreign aid as a U.S. foreign policy tool: from the Marshall Plan through
today 234
Daniel C. Tirone and Dmitriy Nurullayev