The New Foreign Policy: Power Seeking in a Globalized Era

by Neack, Laura

• ISBN13: 9780742556324
• ISBN10: 0742556328
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-07-30
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Pub Inc

Summary

In this cogent text, Laura Neack argues that foreign policy making, in this uncertain era of globalization, global violence and American hegemony, revolves around power seeking and power maintenance. Now in a thoroughly revised and updated edition with concise, accessible chapters, the book reviews both old and new lessons on foreign policy making and behavior using a rich array of new and enduring case studies. Following a levels-of-analysis organization, the author considers the many elements that influence foreign policy. Topics include realist theories on rational actors and the pursuit of national interests; studies of leaders' cognition, beliefs and learning; the relationships between leaders and autonomous governmental groups that influence foreign policy making; the shaping influence of national self-image and culture on government institutions and policies; the so-called democratic peace and how democratization may lead to war; the impact of domestic political debates and political opposition on foreign policy choices; the controversial roles of public opinion and the media; how great powers are expected to behave in foreign affairs and how non-great powers may find openings for foreign policy independence; and the impact of non state actors on the foreign policies of states.

Author Biography

Laura Neack is professor of political science at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xi
Introduction: The New Foreign Policy	p. 1
A Tangled Tale of Tibet	p. 1
The New Foreign Policy	p. 6
Defining the Subject: Foreign Policy	p. 9
Selecting Entrance Points: Levels of Analysis	p. 10
Worldviews and Theories	p. 12
Realism	p. 14
Liberalism	p. 15
Marxism	p. 16
Constructivism	p. 19
The Bridge between International and Comparative Politics	p. 19
A New Millennium	p. 25
Chapter Review	p. 26
Rational Actors and the National Interests	p. 29
The Definition of "Leaders," Part One	p. 29
The Rational Actor Model	p. 31
Rationality, Deterrence, and "Irrationality"	p. 39
Poliheuristic Theory: A Bridge to the Next Chapter?	p. 43
Chapter Review	p. 45
Cognitive Misers and Distrusting Leaders	p. 47
The Definition of "Leaders," Part Two	p. 47
Cognition: A Different View of Rationality	p. 51
Belief Sets and Cognitive Structure	p. 53
Operational Code	p. 60
Personality	p. 62
Chapter Review	p. 64
Decision Units, Small Groups, and Bureaucratic Politics	p. 65
The Decision Units Framework	p. 65
Predominant Leader	p. 67
Single Groups and the Groupthink Syndrome	p. 67
Who Makes Foreign Policy Decisions for Iran?	p. 71
Multiple Autonomous Actors and Bureaucratic Politics	p. 75
Chapter Review	p. 79
National Self-Image, Culture, and Domestic Institutions	p. 81
Similar Countries but Different Foreign Policies?	p. 81
Rosenau's Ideal Nation-Types	p. 84
National Self-Image	p. 86
Culture and Institutions of Governance	p. 90
Culture, Institutions, and the Democratic Peace	p. 92
Chapter Review	p. 94
Domestic Politics	p. 95
Considering Government Type and Process	p. 95
Domestic Politics: The Critical Side of the Nested Game	p. 98
Accommodate, Insulate, or Mobilize	p. 99
Democratization and War	p. 103
Chapter Review	p. 109
Public Opinion and Media	p. 111
Public Opinion Matters-But How?	p. 112
Different Views on the Public	p. 114
Public Opinion in Nondemocracies and Democracies	p. 116
Public Opinion and the "CNN Effect"	p. 121
A Complicated Relationship: Government, Elite, Media, and the Public	p. 125
Chapter Review	p. 128
Great Powers	p. 129
Position and Power	p. 129
The Elusive Concept of Power	p. 133
Who Gets to Be a Great Power?	p. 136
What Do Great Powers Do?	p. 139
The Unique Position of the United States	p. 143
American Foreign Policy under George W. Bush	p. 147
Chapter Review	p. 152
The Other Powers	p. 153
Penetrated Systems	p. 154
Rising Great Powers	p. 155
Secondary Powers	p. 157
What Kind of Power Is the European Union?	p. 159
Middle Powers and Good International Citizens	p. 161
Small Powers and Client States	p. 164
Chapter Review	p. 171
Conclusion: A Nested Game with Many Players	p. 173
A Tangled Tale of Pincohet	p. 173
Between Domestic and International Politics in an Era of Globalization	p. 179
Nonstate Actors on the Rise	p. 181
Concluding Thoughts and a Message to Those in Power	p. 187
Notes	p. 191
Glossary	p. 211
Index	p. 219
About the Author	p. 233
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