Foreign Policy Analysis: Classic and Contemporary Theory

by Valerie M. Hudson

Foreign Policy Analysis is the first textbook to gear foreign policy analysis (FPA) theory toward advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students. Beginning with an overview of this broad field of study, the book's subsequent chapters tackle theory and research at multiple levels of analysis, including personality and psychology of foreign policy decisionmakers and decisionmaking, small group dynamics, the organizational process, bureaucratic politics, domestic politics, cultural and societal influences on foreign policy, national attributes, and system-level effects on foreign policy. A chapter examining the promise and frustration of theoretical integration in FPA is also incorporated, and the book ends with an analysis of the areas in which the next generation of foreign policy analysts can make important contributions to the field.

Genres: International Relations, Politics, Academic, Nonfiction, Political Science

Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Valerie M. Hudson (born 1958) is a professor of political science at The Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University as of January 2012. Prior to coming to Texas A&M, Hudson was a professor of political science at Brigham Young University for 24 years. She is most noted for having co-authored the book Bare Branches about the negative effects of China's overabundance of males.

Hudson was born in Washington, D.C.. She joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in 1971. Prior to that she had been a Roman Catholic. Hudson received her bachelor's degree from BYU and her master's and Ph.D. from Ohio State University.

While a doctoral candidate, Hudson taught for three years at Otterbein University, and after receiving her Ph.D., was a visiting professor at Northwestern University and then Rutgers University . In 1987 she joined the faculty of BYU. Hudson served as Associate Director of the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies for eight years, in which capacity she directed the graduate program.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Damon · Rating 4 out of 5]

As textbooks go, Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA) is moderately engaging. Hudson peppers the volume with plenty of anecdotes and historical examples, most of which are Western and of the modern era, to illustrate some of the differential dynamics in foreign policy formation when viewed at the individual, small group, large group, or institutional level. These anecdotes, however, give the book a strong US/European bias which will leave readers interested in Latin American, African, Middle Eastern, or Asian foreign policy wanting for more.

Hudson's audience in this volume is a 301 or 401 level undergraduate student, and hopefully one who is interested in a career in foreign policy analysis itself, or the pursuit of FPA at the graduate level. Hudson shines in noting areas where foreign policy analysis as a field is in need of further research. Perspective students in this field should take note.

Unfortunately, the heavy emphasis on theory makes this book a dry read for the casual reader. The anecdotes will pull the reader in, but it is the theoritical construct that remains the focus, not the history.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who feel that realism, liberalism, or constructivism just don't cut it, here is a fourth (and most comprehensive) option.

[lavignebrat]

for my foreign policy analysis class 😝

[Tibor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introductory book on Foreign Policy Analysis. If you are more familiar with FPA, like myself, it offers very interesting food for thought on the state of the field, it's future and the need for the full theoretical integration of the different fields of analysis for FPA to be and remain essential

[Väinö · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good introduction to Foreing Policy Analysis theory. FPA goes behind traditional International Relations theories and looks foreign policy as a result of human action.

[Jessie K.]

I am a Student of Nankai University, on Janna Campus, Tianjin city, studying Master in International Affairs and Public Policy and This book is very essential to me. How can I get copy?