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Foreign Policy in Comparative Perspective: Domestic and International Influences on State Behavior
Although a state's foreign policy is shaped by its unique culture, history, and political system, all states share the same challenge: they must contend with new global forces that are changing the way nations interact. Economic liberalization, democratization, self-determination, regionalism, as well as the growing power of international organizations heavily influence the actions of states both at home and on the world stage.
At last there is a modern comparative foreign policy text. In one accessible volume, fifteen scholars systematically explore the foreign policies of thirteen nations, covering both major and emerging players. Linking the study of international relations to domestic politics, the authors highlight the importance of both internal and external forces in foreign policymaking. Rather than consolidate countries into regional categories, Foreign Policy in Comparative Perspective treats each nation according to its individual history and contemporary dilemmas, allowing authors to address both shared concerns within a region and the unique struggles facing a particular country.
Enabling comparative analysis, the book's theoretical framework helps students discern patterns to better understand why a state acts as it does in foreign affairs. Each country chapter includes:
an introduction by the volume's editors that points to similar developments in other countries, reinforcing comparison and analysis;
a discussion of the linkages between external and internal factors and the implications for future foreign policy;
a map to place countries within geographical context; and
a list of suggested readings for further information.
At last there is a modern comparative foreign policy text. In one accessible volume, fifteen scholars systematically explore the foreign policies of thirteen nations, covering both major and emerging players. Linking the study of international relations to domestic politics, the authors highlight the importance of both internal and external forces in foreign policymaking. Rather than consolidate countries into regional categories, Foreign Policy in Comparative Perspective treats each nation according to its individual history and contemporary dilemmas, allowing authors to address both shared concerns within a region and the unique struggles facing a particular country.
Enabling comparative analysis, the book's theoretical framework helps students discern patterns to better understand why a state acts as it does in foreign affairs. Each country chapter includes:
an introduction by the volume's editors that points to similar developments in other countries, reinforcing comparison and analysis;
a discussion of the linkages between external and internal factors and the implications for future foreign policy;
a map to place countries within geographical context; and
a list of suggested readings for further information.
- GenresNonfictionSchool
347 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 13, 2023
6.6/10.
July 21, 2017
In _Foreign Policy in Comparative Perspective_, 2nd edition, Ryan Beasley and his collaborators have collected an impressive group of country experts to author chapters that place the state’s foreign policy very clearly in a comparative perspective. Chapters reference other chapters and cases, and make a point to use comparative language as much as possible (i.e., referencing the legislature instead of the Majlis or the House of Commons). The diverse collection of cases is also particularly good; it provides significant variation on just about any variable students could want to examine.
Unlike the typical edited volume, the quality of the chapters is almost uniformly high. The two or three that dip below excellent are still quite good; they appear to be cases where the authors thought their country was exceptional in some way that justified deviating from the agreed-upon chapter structure. The use of consistent chapter structures will greatly aid students in finding and comparing data about cases.
What I like the most about this book is the editors’ introduction to each chapter. It identifies core commonalities and differences between this chapter’s country and others in the book. This helps students see what it means to compare, and gives fertile ground for class discussion. One small thing I’d like to see as an ancillary is a compiled table for adopters that summarizes these shared qualities to facilitate deciding which case to assign when without having to read the whole book. While I have more than passing familiarity with most of the cases in this volume, I don’t know all of them well enough to know which to put on the syllabus for the day we talk about leaders and leadership, for example – my expertise is more in institutions.
In short, the book does all it possibly can to facilitate students learning to compare and to think like comparative foreign policy analysts. The things identified here may seem like small details, but together they add up to a student-friendly and teaching-friendly book.
Unlike the typical edited volume, the quality of the chapters is almost uniformly high. The two or three that dip below excellent are still quite good; they appear to be cases where the authors thought their country was exceptional in some way that justified deviating from the agreed-upon chapter structure. The use of consistent chapter structures will greatly aid students in finding and comparing data about cases.
What I like the most about this book is the editors’ introduction to each chapter. It identifies core commonalities and differences between this chapter’s country and others in the book. This helps students see what it means to compare, and gives fertile ground for class discussion. One small thing I’d like to see as an ancillary is a compiled table for adopters that summarizes these shared qualities to facilitate deciding which case to assign when without having to read the whole book. While I have more than passing familiarity with most of the cases in this volume, I don’t know all of them well enough to know which to put on the syllabus for the day we talk about leaders and leadership, for example – my expertise is more in institutions.
In short, the book does all it possibly can to facilitate students learning to compare and to think like comparative foreign policy analysts. The things identified here may seem like small details, but together they add up to a student-friendly and teaching-friendly book.
June 3, 2024
Admirably skewers democratic peace theory, albeit in a dry, mild, textbooky way.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews