Decision-Making in American Foreign Policy
Translating Theory into Practice

This book translates US foreign policymaking theory into practical analytic tools for those preparing to be national security professionals.

Nikolas K. Gvosdev (Author), Jessica D. Blankshain (Author), David A. Cooper (Author)

9781108427142, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 24 January 2019

436 pages, 40 b/w illus. 2 tables
26.1 x 18.4 x 2.2 cm, 1.07 kg

'This is an invaluable and comprehensive guide to academic theories about how the American national security system works in practice. This textbook fills a critical gap in making the theories of foreign policy analysis understandable and relevant for current and future practitioners. Speaking as a current academic and former military leader, I strongly recommend this as essential reading for civilian and military students alike who are seeking to hone their skills to become effective and successful national security professionals.' James Stavridis, retired Admiral, US Navy, Supreme Allied Commander, NATO (2009–13), Dean Emeritus, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (2013–18)

This foreign policy analysis textbook is written especially for students studying to become national security professionals. It translates academic knowledge about the complex influences on American foreign policymaking into an intuitive, cohesive, and practical set of analytic tools. The focus here is not theory for the sake of theory, but rather to translate theory into practice. Classic paradigms are adapted to fit the changing realities of the contemporary national security environment. For example, the growing centrality of the White House is seen in the 'palace politics' of the president's inner circle, and the growth of the national security apparatus introduces new dimensions to organizational processes and subordinate levels of bureaucratic politics. Real-world case studies are used throughout to allow students to apply theory. These comprise recent events that draw impartially across partisan lines and encompass a variety of diplomatic, military, and economic and trade issues.

List of figures
List of boxes
Preface
Author note
1. Introduction
2. Foreign policy analysis
3. Unitary state perspective
4. Cognitive perspective
5. Organizational process perspective
6. Bureaucratic politics perspective
7. Palace politics perspective
8. Sub-bureaucratic politics perspective
9. Domestic politics
10. Other countries
11. Conclusion
Annex: case studies
Index.

Subject Areas: Defence strategy, planning & research [JWK], International relations [JPS], Central government [JPQ]