School of International Relations/USC
Professor Steven Lamy <>
Fall 2011 Wednesday 4-6:50 SOS B-40
Office Hours: By Appointment
IR 521: Foreign Policy Analysis
I have come across men of letters who have written history without taking part in public affairs, and politicians who have concerned themselves with producing events without thinking about them. I have observed that the first are always inclined to find general causes whereas the second, living in the midst of disconnected daily facts, are prone to imagine that everything is attributable to particular incidents, and that the wires they pull are the same as those that move the world. It is presumed that both are equally deceived. Alex De Tocqueville
This is an introductory graduate course in the field of foreign policy analysis. As the core course in the foreign policy domain, we will explore the history of foreign policy studies in the Western academic community. Most foreign policy courses are idiographic and descriptive focusing on current policy issues. This is a hybrid course in that both theoretical questions and policy processes are explored and evaluated through the use of case studies. The course is designed to do the following:
1) Prepare students to critically evaluate the theoretical literature in the field of foreign policy
2) Consider the various factors that influence the making of foreign policy
3) Critically review contemporary foreign policy issues from both academic and policy perspectives
4) Provide an opportunity for students to research and write their own foreign policy case study or conduct a comprehensive literature review that will prepare them for comprehensive exams in this field.
There is a rather significant literature in foreign policy analysis that includes both theoretical and policy studies. With the exception of the case studies, most of the course will focus on studies that explore ways of explaining the behavior of states and evaluating foreign policy decisions. Most of the readings fall within the traditional empirical/positivist approach to the study of international relations including descriptive accounts of policy situations and decision-making processes, hypotheses generating studies aimed at explaining the actions of states; and, comparative evaluations of specific policy actions. The limitations and potential problems with this type of research are recognized; however, empirical studies tend to have more relevance in the policy world than do postmodern critical theory accounts of the meaning of power or criticisms of mainstream theories in foreign policy.
Since the critical/reflectivist or post-positivist literature is covered in other graduate seminars and this course is a “gateway” to other regional foreign policy courses, the readings tend to favor more mainstream policy issues and questions. Readings and discussions are intended to familiarize seminar participants with the process of theory development, theory testing, and policy analysis and evaluation in the field of foreign policy.
The learning objectives for this seminar are listed below:
1. To provide an overview of the evolution of the study of foreign policy and introduce the student to the literature in this area.
2. To explore and assess various middle-range theoretical approaches related to the levels of analysis used in the study of state behavior.
3. To review different research orientations, both rationalist and reflectivist, and to develop skills of policy analysis and evaluation.
4. To explore new policy issues and research concerns that are defined by debates in the general field of international relations and in the specific area of foreign policy analysis.
5. To develop critical thinking and analytical skills by inhabiting cases and participating in class discussions about foreign policy decision-making.
There will be no formal lectures in this course. Students will be expected to participate in each seminar. An important aspect of critical thinking is the development of intellectual courage and the confidence to express informed views in an open discussion. To facilitate this process, students will be assigned a few questions to answer each week. We will also be using retrospective and problem-based case studies that focus on foreign policy decision-making. You must participate in every class session to get credit for the course. Your course grade includes the ability to express yourself competently in both written and oral exercises. If you do not volunteer, you will be called upon. There is no place to hide in this seminar.
We have both PhD and MA students in this course. I expect a high level of commitment from both student groups. I will, however, expect more theoretical knowledge from the doctoral students and expect them to cover more of the literature in their weekly readings assignments.
Seminar Requirements
Seminar participation/attendance:
You are expected to be at all seminars. Once a week is not a hardship. I will deduct five points for each seminar missed without a valid medical or related excuse.
Case Questions and Class Discussions 40%
Individual Project 40%
Final Examination 20%
The individual project might include a publishable quality research paper, a review article, a case study or convince me that there may be a better project that will advance your understanding of foreign policy and your career.
Seminar Outline:
8/24/2011
Session #1: Overview of course, review of assignments, introduction to case process, student expectations, and a discussion of the development of the field of IR and the place of foreign policy analysis (FPA).
8/31/2011
Session #2: Major theoretical debates in IR-a review and the fundamentals of foreign policy analysis: Policy-maker and academic views/theory and policy debates.
9/7/2011
Session #3: How it all started: Decision-makers and foreign policy
9/14/2011
Session #4: Decision-maker…continued
9/21/2011
Session #5: Domestic sources of foreign policy
9/28/2011
Session #6: Domestic sources…continued
10/5/2011
Session #7: Foreign Policy Implementation
10/12/2011
Session #8: Two-level games, second image reversed and systemic approaches
10/19/2011
Session #9: Globalization and foreign policy
10/26/2011
Session #10: Is an ethical foreign policy possible?
11/2/2011
Session #11: Constructivism and foreign policy
11/9/2011
Session #12: Improving Decision-making and evaluating policy
11/16/2011
Session #13: Humanitarian Intervention/R2P
11/30/2011
Session #14: Foreign Policy and the War on Terrorism
12/2/2009
Session #15: Make–up session for a review before the exam.
Required Texts (Available at USC Bookstore or Amazon.com)
R. K.C. Hersman, Friends and Foes. How Congress and the President Really Make Foreign Policy (Brookings 2000)
C. Hill, The Changing Politics of Foreign Policy (Palgrave 2003)
O. Holsti, Making American Foreign Policy (Routledge 2006)
V. Hudson, Foreign Policy Analysis (Rowan and Littlefield
2007)
C. Tilly, Why? (Princeton 2006)
Case Study Custom reader includes 13 Harvard Kennedy School case studies and 2 Pew/Georgetown case studies
Not ordered but available on Amazon or other online book sellers:
Michael Doyle, Ways of War and Peace (Norton 1997)
If you do not have a background in IR, this is a great introduction to the major theoretical traditions.
If you cannot afford the books please check them out of the library. I will try to have copies in my office. You may also want to share books with colleagues.
Not required but may be helpful as references or background:
L. Neack, J. Hey, P. Haney (editors), Foreign Policy Analysis. Continuity and Change in its Second Generation (Prentice Hall, 1995)
Smith, Hadfield and Dunne, Foreign Policy. Theories, Actors, Cases (Oxford 2008)
N. Woods, Explaining International Relations Since 1945 (Oxford 1996)
Reserved readings should be available on JSTOR and I will put some on Blackboard. I will often add important readings during the semester.
I do not expect you to do all of the assigned readings. However, you should try to read all of the books that you buy and please read all of the cases. I will point-out important readings and if you are not clear on a concept, just keep reading… or ask me!
I will also share a supplemental reading list for the PhD students and for anyone interested in further exploration of issues.
Seminars and Readings
Seminar One: Introduction and Overview of Class and Seminar Process
Instructor’s mapping of foreign policy
Introduction to case learning
Student expectations
1. The analytical/scholarly world: middle range theories and testable propositions
2. The policy world: programs and priorities
Sample Case Study: Capt. Rockwood
Discussion: The critical policy and analytical issues being raised by C. Hill:
Who makes foreign policy: insiders or outsiders?
Why do powerful states fail to consider the impact of their foreign policy decisions on other states and the international system?
Assigned Readings for Session Two:
V. Hudson, Foreign Policy Analysis, Chapters 1, 7 and 8
David Newsom, “Foreign Policy and Academia,” Foreign Policy, Winter 1995-6, p 52-67
C. Hill, The Changing Politics of Foreign Policy, Chapters 1 and 2
A. George, “Knowledge for Statecraft” International Security Summer 1997, p 44-52
O. Holsti, Making American Foreign Policy, Chapters 12 & 13
C. Tilly, Why?
Hans J. Morgenthau, “ The Age of Science and the Social World”, Scientific Man versus Power Politics
Find what you think is a thoughtful and useful article about the future of foreign policy of any country other than the US in this era of nonpolarity, political polarization, economic uncertainty, crises of identity and uneven globalization.
Additional/Optional Readings:
Steve Smith, “Foreign Policy Theory and the New Europe,” in Carlsnaes and Smith, European Foreign Policy, p 1-20
J.N. Rosenau, “Introduction: New Directions and Recurrent Questions in the Comparative Study of Foreign Policy,” in Hermann, Kegley, and Rosenau, New Directions in the Study of Foreign Policy, p 1-10
M. Light, “Foreign Policy Analysis,” in Groom and Light, Contemporary International Relations: A Guide to Theory, p 93-108
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Seminar Two: The fundamentals of foreign policy.
A brief history of foreign policy analysis methods, middle-range theory, comparative foreign policy and the future of foreign policy studies.
- IR traditions and core theories and foreign policy
- Why did foreign policy analysis and comparative foreign policy fail?
- Is this the future of foreign policy analysis?
- Agent-Structure or more than that? How do we know who decides and how they decide?
Readings listed above…
If you have no background in the core theoretical traditions in IR…consider the following:
Michael Doyle, Ways of War and Peace, (Norton, 1997) Excellent coverage of realism, liberalism and socialism
Robert C Johansen, The National Interest and the Human Interest, Chapter 3 – p 126-195
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Seminar Three: Decision-makers and foreign policy- Agents, Structure, and levels of analysis
Assigned Readings:
D. P. Houghton, “ Reinvigorating the Study of Foreign Policy Decision-Making: Toward a Constructivist Approach,” FPA, Jan. 2007. P 24-45
O, Holsti, Making America Foreign Policy, Chapters 1-3
C. Hill, The Changing Politics of Foreign Policy, Part 1, Agency
Y. Vertzberger, The World in Their Minds, Chapters 1,3 & 7
V. Hudson, Foreign Policy Analysis, Chapter 2
A. Mintz and Karl DeRouen, Understanding Foreign Policy Decision-Making, Chapters 4 and 5
Policy article:
Weber and Jentleson, The End of Arrogance. America in the Global Competition of Ideas. Chapter 2
Additional/Optional Readings:
J. Goldstein and R.O. Keohane, Ideas and Foreign Policy, Chapters 1, 6 and 9
Lisa Martin, “The Contributions of Rational Choice: A Defense of Pluralism,” International Security, Fall 1999 p 74-83
A. George, “The Operational Code,” ISQ, (December 1969) p 199-210
Margaret Hermann et al, “ Who Leads Matters: The Effects of Powerful Individuals,” in Hagan and Hermann, Leaders, Groups and Coalitions (Blackwell, 2001)
Mintz, Alex. (2004) How Do Leaders Make Decisions?: A Poliheuristic Perspective. The Journal of Conflict Resolution 48:3-13.
Rose McDermott, N. Wenimont and Cheryl Koopman, “ Applying Psychology to International Studies: Challenges and opportunities in Examining Traumatic Stress” in International Studies Perspectives (2011) p. 119-135
Case: Keeping the Cold War Cold (Harvard-JFK School)
Case: Blessed are the Peacemakers: Senator Danforth as Special Envoy to the Sudan
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Seminar Four: Decision Maker/ Level I (continued)
Assigned Readings:
Continue from previous week
Case: Getting to Dayton (Harvard-JFK School)
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Seminar Five: Second Image: Domestic Sources of Foreign Policy
Assigned Readings:
C. Hill, The Changing Politics of Foreign Policy, Chapters 9 & 10
V. Hudson, Foreign Policy Analysis, Chapters 3-6
O. Holsti, Making American Foreign Policy, Part II-chapters 4 and 5 9-11
Graham T. Allison, Essence of Decision, Chapters 3-6
Walter Lippmann, Public Opinion, p 3-49
Hagan et al, “How Decision Units Shape Foreign Policy” and
“ Foreign Policy by Coalition,” in Hagan and Hermann, Leaders, Groups, and Coalitions
Joost Herman, “The Dutch Drive for Humanitarianism,” International Journal Autumn 2006, p 859-874
Ann-Sofie Dahl, “Sweden. Once a Moral Superpower, Always a Moral Superpower,” in IJ Autumn 2006, p 895-908
Stephen D. Krasner, “Are Bureaucracies Important? (Or Allison Wonderland)”, Foreign Policy, Simmer 1972 p 159-179
W. Sewell, “The Concept(s) of Culture” In Bonnel and Hunt, Beyond the Cultural Turn.
J. Rosenau, “Pre-Theories and Theories of Foreign Policy”
Michael Barnett, “ The UN Security Council, Indifference, and Genocide in Rwanda, in Cultural Anthropology, Vol. 12, #4 Nov. 1997 551-578
C. Ingebritsen, “Norm Entrepreneurs: Scandinavia’s Role in World Politics,” in Small States in International Relations
Policy Articles:
Andrew Bacevich, Washington Rules, Introduction, Chapters 1 and 6
Michael Mandelbaum, The Frugal Superpower, Chapters 4 and 5
Additional/Optional Readings:
R. Schweller, “Domestic Structure and Preventative War: Are Democracies more Pacific?” World Politics (January 1992)
Thomas Risse-Kappen, “Public Opinion, Domestic Structure and Foreign Policy in Liberal Democracies,” World Politics, (July 1991)
JFK Case: Debt Relief for Poor Nations
Pew Case Study: The Dutch in Srebrenica (Parts A & B)
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Seminar Six: Domestic Sources…continued
Assigned Readings:
R. K. C. Hersman, Friends and Foes. How Congress and the President Really Make Foreign Policy, Chapters 1-3 and at least one case.
W. Stroebel, Late-Breaking Foreign Policy, Chapter 2
Other readings on public opinion and foreign policy and the role of the media will be added.
JFK Case Study: Smarter Foreign Aid
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Seminar Seven: Foreign Policy Implementation
What happens once the decision is made?