The Domestic Sources of American Foreign Policy: Insights and Evidence

Editor James M. McCormick has carefully selected two dozen current insightful and sometimes controversial essays by a distinguished group of leading experts scholars, journalists & public officials including 11 new & 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 & 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 & 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, & 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, & various bureaucracies (e.g., the National Security Council, the intelligence community) shape American foreign policy. 

Part III, "Decision makers & Their Policymaking Positions," provides various case analyses over several administrations to illustrate how individuals & bureaucracies affect the foreign policy decision making at the highest levels of government.