Congress and the Politics of U.S. Foreign Policy

by James M. Lindsay

Have we entered an era of the "Imperial Congress"? How and why do members of Congress wield power over foreign policy? DOes Congress undermine the national interest when it asserts itself in foreign affairs? Congress is more active in foreign policy than at any time since the 1930s, notes James lindsay, but the important questions raised by this activism have not been fully addressed by contemporary scholars and commentors. In Congress and the Politics of U.S. Foreign Policy Lindsay offers a timely and comprehensive examination of the role the modern Congress plays in foreign policy. He shows how the resurgence of congressional activism marks a return to the pattern that was once the norm in American politics. He analyzes the distribution of decision-making authority in Congress, reviews the constraints and incentives for members of Congress to become involved in foreign policy,describes committe work, the legislative process, and other institutional structures.

Paperback

First published August 1, 1994

About the author

James M. Lindsay is senior vice president, director of studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg chair at the Council on Foreign Relations. Dr. Lindsay has written widely on various aspects of American foreign policy and international relations. He has contributed articles to the op-ed pages of many major newspapers, including the New York Times, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times. In addition to America Unbound: The Bush Revolution in Foreign Policy, his previous book with Ivo Daalder, other books include Agenda for the Nation (with Henry J. Aaron and Pietro S. Nivola), and Congress and the Politics of U.S. Foreign Policy.

Reviews

[Ella]

Solid read. Still relevant to this day. Makes me wanna shake the daylights out of these congress people

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Granted my work experiences make this topic interesting to me, I found it easy to read without being overly basic for someone with experience. Nicely laid out and a valuable contribution to the topic, even though it is slightly out of date these days.