US Foreign Policy in Action: An Innovative Teaching Text

“Jeffrey Lantis has written a first rate study of US Foreign Policy in an age of uncertainty, complexity and transition. This comprehensive book, covering both theory and practice, looks at economic, security, environmental, and human rights issues, as well as the US’s relationships with other great powers. In particular, it provides an excellent pedagogical approach for students with a range of active learning frameworks designed to promote engagement with critical issues of international relations and help students experience the real world of policy making.”—John Baylis, Swansea University

“Topical. Innovative.  Engaging.  This textbook will draw students in with a crisp discussion of United States foreign policy history and process and enhances the learning experience with well-designed classroom exercises. If you’ve been looking for a textbook to help you foster a more active learning classroom environment, this is it!”—Douglas Foyle, Wesleyan University

US foreign policy has shaped today’s world in profound ways. US engagement in global politics has sometimes promoted order and stability, and other times challenged principles of multilateral cooperation. We might not have agreed with White House reasoning on foreign affairs over the decades, but would we have behaved differently had we held the levers of power? This innovative teaching text views the US foreign policy decisionmaking process through the lens of political debate and exchange. As well as being a sound introduction to the historical developments and theories of US foreign policy, it provides students with creative learning exercises that engage them in the cut-and-thrust politics of foreign policy process, and offers experiential lessons in the complexities of international relations.

The book is designed to bring the politics of foreign policy to life – by encouraging critical reflection of contending perspectives in political debates, detailing relevant historical information, and providing analytical exercises in resolving foreign policy dilemmas. In addition to a detailed narrative, chapters include discussion questions and lists of additional resources. They also feature in-text references to the companion website, with many online resources, information about teaching and learning with technology and film, and an appendix to the book.