American Foreign Policy: Past, Present, and Future

Glenn Hastedt’s clear and succinct introduction to the field provides a compelling way to prepare students to think about America's changing role in the world and to develop the critical thinking skills they need to participate in the debate about the conduct and content of American foreign policy. He does so in four specific ways. First, he raises the question, “what are the key components of foreign policy and what is the national interest?” Second, Hastedt looks to the past and asks, “how did we get here?” and “how do we learn from the past?” He finds the answers in the nature of the contemporary international system, the American national style, and the actions of past administrations. Third, he asks “how is foreign policy made?” Answering this question leads to an examination of American domestic politics on foreign policy, the institutions that make it, how they all come together to make policy, and the policy instruments available to decision makers. Fourth, he asks, “what next?”

The tenth edition updates reflect the latest headlines, helping students see American policy toward Syria, Russia, Eastern Europe, China, and other world hotspots in historical and geopolitical context.