The new edition of this leading reader for courses in American foreign policy offers students an up-to-date, highly accessible introduction to the broad array of domestic factors influencing U.S. policymakers. Editor James M. McCormick has carefully selected two dozen current insightful and sometimes controversial essays by a distinguished group of leading experts― scholars, journalists and public officials―including 11 new and 7 updated contributions. In his introduction, McCormick evaluates the challenges facing U.S. foreign policy makers in recent years and assesses the Obama Administration’s successes and failures in its efforts to pursue a new direction in American foreign policy. The volume is then divided into three major parts with an opening essay by the editor to place each part in context and then a selection of essays that analyzes the topic in that part in more detail. Part I, "The Societal Environment," contains a series of articles on the position of interest groups, the impact of military experience, the effect of public opinion, and the role of elections and political parties on foreign policy. Part II, "The Institutional Setting," examines how various political institutions, such as Congress, the presidency, and various bureaucracies (e.g., the National Security Council, the intelligence community) shape American foreign policy. Part III, "Decision makers and Their Policymaking Positions," provides various case analyses over several administrations to illustrate how individuals and bureaucracies affect the foreign policy decision making at the highest levels of government. “In keeping with the high standard of previous volumes, this sixth and thoroughly updated edition is yet another invaluable resource for students of U.S. foreign policy. First-rate contributions by policymakers and scholars offer complementary perspectives about the various societal, institutional, and individual factors that shape American foreign policy and drive decision-making processes. I highly recommend this book to both undergraduate and graduate students as well as anyone seeking to develop a comprehensive understanding of the domestic sources of American foreign policy.” ―Dorle Hellmuth, The Catholic University of America “Because the aphorism that "politics stops at the water's edge" has rarely if ever been an accurate description of American foreign policy-making, it is always important to understand the domestic political processes that drive policy. In the fifth of a distinguished series of volumes, Eugene Wiffkopf and James McCormick present two dozen insightful and sometimes controversial essays on the societal, institutional, and individual sources of U.S. foreign policy. Their fine introductory essay brings the analysis up to 2007, thus including the results of the 2006 congressional elections that many viewed as a stinging repudiation of policy in Iraq.” ―Ole R. Holsti, Duke University “This updated and accessible volume is ideal for students in American foreign policy. Its three parts, which include chapters on the societal context of U.S. foreign policy, evaluations of new and old institutions in shaping policy decisions, and essays on the decision making process provide an ideal set of essays that are both broad in coverage and provocative. I recommend this book enthusiastically.” ―Ryan C. Hendrickson, Eastern Illinois University “This latest edition includes many new and revised essays on the politics, institutions, and individuals behind American foreign policy. The focus on examples of how political processes shape important U.S. policies nicely complements texts that emphasize theoretical models or specific policy debates regarding U.S. foreign policy. The well-chosen essays by leading experts cover both recent and classic issues, including the conflict in Iraq, the Vietnam War, bureaucratic politics, War Powers, trade, defense procurement, and the roles of the Presidency, executive branch departments, interest groups, and the Congress. This is an essential book for anyone who wants to understand how U.S. foreign policy is made.” ―Andrew Bennett, Georgetown University Michael Nelson is an historian of the French Rivera. He was General Manager of Reuters. Steve Smith is Lecturer in New Testament studies at St Mellitus College, UK. Used Book in Good Condition