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U.S. Foreign Policy
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U.S. Foreign Policy
The Paradox of World Power

Seventh Edition
October 2024 | 360 pages | CQ Press
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The same aspects of American government and society that propelled the United States to global primacy have also hampered its orderly and successful conduct of foreign policy. This paradox challenges U.S. leaders to overcome threats to America's world power in the face of fast-moving global developments and political upheavals at home. U.S. Foreign Policy explores this paradox, identifies its key sources and manifestations, and considers its future implications. Authors Steven W. Hook and Amy Skonieczny help students learn how to think critically about these cascading developments and the link between the process and the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. 

 
Figures, Tables, Maps, and Boxes
 
Preface
 
Part I The Setting of U.S. Foreign Policy
 
Chapter 1 The United States in a Turbulent World
The Paradox of America’s World Power

 
The Numbers of U.S. Foreign Policy

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 2 The Expansion of U.S. Power
Economic and Territorial Expansion

 
Fighting Two World Wars

 
Global Primacy and the Cold War

 
New Challenges After the Cold War

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 3 Dynamics of Decision Making
The Global Context: Rival Perspectives

 
Opening the “Black Box” of Domestic Politics

 
The Impact of Civil Society

 
Coping With Bureaucratic Politics

 
The Human Factor

 
Conclusion

 
 
Part II Inside-Out: Government Sources of Foreign Policy
 
Chapter 4 Presidential Power
The Constitution’s Mixed Blessing

 
Presidential Prerogative in the “Zone of Twilight”

 
Structures of the “Presidential Branch”

 
Judicial Interventions in Foreign Policy

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 5 Congress Beyond the “Water’s Edge”
Trends in Legislative-Executive Relations

 
Constraints on Congressional Action

 
Foreign Policy by Committee

 
War Powers and the Use of Force

 
The Power of the Purse

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 6 The Foreign Policy Bureaucracy
Agency Dysfunctions and the Paradox of World Power

 
The Diplomatic Complex

 
The Security Complex

 
The Intelligence Complex

 
The Economic Complex

 
Conclusion

 
 
Part III Outside-In: External Sources of Foreign Policy
 
Chapter 7 Public Opinion at Home and Abroad
Democracy and the Paradox of World Power

 
Public Opinion Since World War II

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 8 The Impact of Mass Communications
Functions of the News Media

 
Patterns of Foreign News Coverage

 
The Social Media Revolution

 
Social Media and Polarization

 
Digital Diplomacy and American Image Abroad

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 9 Social Movements and Interest Groups
Group Action and the Paradox

 
Dynamics of Social Movements

 
Types of Foreign Policy NGOs

 
Group Strategies and Tactics

 
Buying Power: The Corporate Connection

 
Conclusion

 
 
Part IV Policy Domains
 
Chapter 10 National Security and Defense Policy
The Foundation of Strategy

 
Justifying the Use of Force

 
The Nuclear Shadow

 
Waging War on Terror

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 11 Economic Statecraft
Models of Political Economy

 
The Balance of Economic Power

 
Trade Policy as a “Two-Level Game”

 
National Interests and Foreign Aid

 
Economic Sanctions as a Policy Tool

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 12 Transnational Policy Problems
Managing the Global Commons

 
The Immigration Debate

 
Human Rights and Democracy

 
Prospects for “Exporting” Democracy

 
Threats to Democracy at Home

 
Conclusion

 
 
Appendix A U.S. Administrations Since World War II
 
Appendix B The War Powers Resolution of 1973
 
Glossary
 
Notes
 
References
 
Author Citations and Index
 
About the Author
Key features

NEW IN THIS EDITION:

  • All chapters have been updated with new research and coverage of recent developments in U.S. foreign policy, enabling readers to make connections between key concepts and current events.  
  • Major global developments included and discussed throughout the volume include the Covid-19 pandemic, the global climate crisis and weather-related disasters, new threats to democracies, and challenges to human rights.
  • New international coverage familiarizes readers with current global topics, such as U.S. trade policy with China, the COP28 Climate Change Summit, the Russian-Ukraine War, and Israel’s response to the Hamas terrorist attack.
  • New domestic coverage provides readers with a better understanding of U.S. policy, drawing on new developments from the Biden administration including U.S. policy on NATO and Ukraine, climate change, global cooperation, and human rights.
  • New sections on the role of social media, technology, and AI have been added to enhance reader understanding of how new media shapes foreign policy.
  • New examples and references spotlight a diverse range of contributions within foreign policy scholarship, decision-making processes, and resultant impacts.

KEY FEATURES:
  • Learning objectives contain measurable takeaways for each chapter and guide students in close, focused reading. 
  • “In Their Own Words” boxes offer insightful perspectives on the policy process. 
  • Two useful appendixes list U.S. administrations since World War II and present the text of the War Powers Resolution of 1973.

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