U.S. Foreign Policy: The Paradox of World Power

The book addresses international topics such as rapid developments in the global economy, the revival of great-power rivalry, and the growing influence of non-state actors. Domestic coverage includes trends in the U.S. economy, political polarization, bureaucratic rivalries, and the effects of social media as a primary venue for news. The most pressing question is whether U.S. foreign policymakers can manage these dynamics in a manner that preserves U.S. primacy.

Table of Contents:
PART I. The Setting of U.S. Foreign Policy Chapter 1: The United States in a Turbulent World Snapshot: America’s World Power Challenges to U.S. Primacy The Paradox of America’s World Power Conclusion Chapter 2: The Expansion of U.S. Power Economic and Territorial Expansion Fighting Two World Wars Global Primacy and the Cold War New Challenges after the Cold War Conclusion Chapter 3: Dynamics of Decision Making The Global Context: Rival Perspectives Opening the “Black Box” of Domestic Politics The Impact of Civil Society Coping with Bureaucratic Politics The Human Factor Conclusion PART II. Inside-Out: Government Sources of Foreign Policy Chapter 4: Presidential Power The Constitution’s Mixed Blessing Presidential Prerogative in the “Zone of Twilight” Structures of the “Presidential Branch” Judicial Interventions in Foreign Policy Conclusion Chapter 5: Congress beyond the “Water’s Edge” Trends in Legislative-Executive Relations Constraints on Congressional Action Legislating Foreign Policy War Powers and the Use of Force The Power of the Purse Conclusion Chapter 6: The Foreign Policy Bureaucracy Agency Dysfunctions and the Paradox of World Power The Diplomatic Complex The Security Complex The Intelligence Complex The Economic Complex Conclusion PART III. Outside-In: External Sources of Foreign Policy Chapter 7: Public Opinion at Home and Abroad Democracy and the Paradox of World Power Public Opinion since World War II Group Identities and Foreign Policy Views Conclusion Chapter 8: The Impact of Mass Communications Functions of the News Media Patterns of Foreign News Coverage Government Efforts to Control the Message The Social Media Revolution Online News and Views from Overseas Conclusion Chapter 9: Social Movements and Interest Groups Group Action and the Paradox Dynamics of Social Movements Types of Foreign Policy NGOs Group Strategies and Tactics Buying Power: The Corporate Connection Conclusion PART IV. Policy Domains Chapter 10: National Security and Defense Policy The Foundation of Strategy Justifying the Use of Force The Nuclear Shadow Waging War on Terror Conclusion Chapter 11: Economic Statecraft Models of Political Economy The Balance of Economic Power Trade Policy as a “Two-Level Game” National Interests and Foreign Aid Economic Sanctions as a Policy Tool Conclusion Chapter 12: Transnational Policy Problems Managing the Global Commons The Immigration Debate The Dangers of Weapons Proliferation Promoting Human Rights and Democracy Signs of a More Peaceful World Conclusion

About the Author :
Steven W. Hook is professor of political science at Kent State University. In addition to this book, he is co-author of American Foreign Policy Since World War II (CQ Press, 2019, 21st ed., with John Spanier) and author of National Interest and Foreign Aid (Lynne Rienner, 1995). His edited books include U.S. Foreign Policy Today: American Renewal? (CQ Press, 2012, with James M. Scott), the Routledge Handbook of American Foreign Policy (Routledge Press, 2012, with Christopher M. Jones), and Democratic Peace in Theory and Practice (Kent State University Press, 2010). His journal articles have appeared in World Politics, International Studies Quarterly, Asian Survey, Foreign Policy Analysis, International Interactions, and other leading journals. Professor Hook received a BA (1982) in Journalism and Political Science from the University of Michigan and an MA (1990) and PhD (1993) in International Studies from the University of South Carolina. At Kent State, he received the university’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2007 and served as department chair from 2008 to 2012. He is a past president of the Foreign Policy Analysis sections of the American Political Science Association and the International Studies Association.

Review :
 “U.S. Foreign Policy: The Paradox of World Power is one of the most complete and comprehensive introductions to U.S. foreign policy available. It is well-written for a student audience, and I am impressed with just how comprehensive it is. Students who read this book will have a superb introduction to American foreign policy and how it is studied.” “Hook’s text is one of the leading foreign policy textbooks precisely because of its overall structure, approach, and balance of detail that supports the overarching theme—the paradox of power. Each edition improves on the last, providing students with a clear introduction to U.S. foreign policy.” “Each time I teach the U.S. foreign policy course and use Hook’s book, students really read it. The writing style is clear and accessible, and students have even commented on the helpfulness of graphics. All in all, I continue to use U.S. Foreign Policy: The Paradox of World Power because my students respond to it so well.”