Foreign Policy in Comparative Perspective
Domestic and International Influences on State Behavior
- Ryan K. Beasley - University of St. Andrews, Scotland
- Juliet Kaarbo - University of Edinburgh, UK
- Jeffrey S. Lantis - College of Wooster
- Michael T. Snarr - Wilmington College
Widely regarded as the most comprehensive comparative foreign policy text, Foreign Policy in Comparative Perspective has been completely updated in this much-anticipated second edition. The editors have brought together fifteen top scholars to highlight the importance of both internal and external forces in foreign policymaking. Exploring the foreign policies of thirteen nations—both major and emerging players, and representing all regions of the world—chapter authors link the study of international relations to domestic politics, while treating each nation according to individual histories and contemporary dilemmas.
The book's accessible theoretical framework is designed to enable comparative analysis, helping students discern patterns to understand why a state acts as it does in foreign affairs. Each of the thirteen country chapters includes: an introduction by the editors to highlight similar developments in other countries; a discussion of the linkages between internal and external factors and implications for the future; coverage of key foreign policy issues; a map to provide geographical context; and a list of suggested readings.
Excellent text, succinct and suitable for both IR and comparative politics approaches to FPA.
The book was purchased by my university as well as my students for the course of foreign policy and negotialtion
This book will be an important addition to the library, and there are several reasons for that. The book has a great introductory part which lays out the basics of foreign policy analysis (definitions, main influences on foreign policy, the complex relationship between foreign policy analysis theories and theories of international relations). Second, this book manages to look at the basics of external and internal influences of 13 countries in a structured way. However, it would have been nice to retain the chapter on Israel as well (a chapter on Israel is included in the first edition of the book, but it has disappeared from the second edition). Third, with this book I can tell my students who would like to do research on foreign policy of one of the 13 countries that now there is a source which serves as a point of departure (defining main themes, key actors, and key sources) for further research. However, for the purpose of both courses that I will be teaching during the Spring semester 2012 on foreign policy issues, this book is best viewed as a supplementary material. I have informed our librarian that I would like to see 2 or 3 copies of this book in the library.
Sage College Publishing
