In his eagerly-awaited second edition, James Lee Ray revisits the premise that a leader’s highest priority is to stay in power. Indeed, the book’s analytic strength comes from recognizing just how political ambition and domestic pressures impact foreign policy decision-making. Ray focuses first on the role of the president, and then—in ever larger concentric circles—examines players in the foreign policy process from Congress and the departments of State and Defense, to intelligence agencies, political parties, interest groups, and the public. Condensing historical chapters makes room for increased coverage of such contemporary topics as the Eurozone crisis, counterterrorist efforts in Africa, and Obama’s “pivot to Asia.” In a unique region-specific section, students are encouraged to think comprehensively about how issues intersect around the globe, with the Middle East receiving renewed focus. New chapters include analysis of U.S.-Israeli relations, confrontation with Iran, implications of the Arab Spring and the fluid situation in Syria, as well as the denouement of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Is American hegemony in decline? Ray considers that prospect too, while discussing nuclear weapons and efforts to deal with climate change.

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

• Enhanced regional coverage includes:
  • Discussion of the Eurozone crisis in the European Union
  • Obama’s efforts to deal with immigration, especially from Mexico
  • The creation of the African Command, and rapid economic progress in many African countries
  • Discussion of China’s rise and the Obama Administration’s “pivot toward” or “rebalancing” toward Asia
  • Analysis of the most recent developments in the Middle East, including Israeli–Palestinian relationships, unrest in Syria, tensions between the U.S. and Iran over nuclear weapons, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
• In response to user feedback, the following organizational changes were made:
  • Discussion of theoretical approaches precedes the history chapter.
  • A focus on the role of the president precedes discussion of the other key players in foreign policy processes including Congress, the cabinet-level departments of State and Defense, intelligence agencies, political parties, interest groups, and the general public.
  • Analyses of the beginning of the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and the end of the Cold War are discussed in one chapter.
  • The concluding chapter reflects on the possibility that U.S. hegemony is in decline, while discussing current issues regarding nuclear weapons, priorities in each geographic region, and efforts to deal with climate change.

KEY FEATURES:

• Though drawing on realist, liberal, and radical perspectives, U.S. foreign policy is analyzed through the lens of rational political ambition theory, emphasizing that political leaders must deal with domestic political competition as well as foreign opponents and forces when they make foreign policy decisions.
• A unique region-specific section challenges students to see how issues such as human security, intervention, and globalization intersect in specific ways in particular regions. 
• Maps, photos, tables, and figures offer students helpful visual aids.
• Lessons Learned boxes and lists of key terms in every chapter reinforce the book’s central approach.

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

• Enhanced regional coverage includes:
  • Discussion of the Eurozone crisis in the European Union
  • Obama’s efforts to deal with immigration, especially from Mexico
  • The creation of the African Command, and rapid economic progress in many African countries
  • Discussion of China’s rise and the Obama Administration’s “pivot toward” or “rebalancing” toward Asia
  • Analysis of the most recent developments in the Middle East, including Israeli–Palestinian relationships, unrest in Syria, tensions between the U.S. and Iran over nuclear weapons, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
• In response to user feedback, the following organizational changes were made:
  • Discussion of theoretical approaches precedes the history chapter.
  • A focus on the role of the president precedes discussion of the other key players in foreign policy processes including Congress, the cabinet-level departments of State and Defense, intelligence agencies, political parties, interest groups, and the general public.
  • Analyses of the beginning of the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and the end of the Cold War are discussed in one chapter.
  • The concluding chapter reflects on the possibility that U.S. hegemony is in decline, while discussing current issues regarding nuclear weapons, priorities in each geographic region, and efforts to deal with climate change.

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James Ray received his BA from Ohio State University and his PhD from the University of Michigan. He has held positions at SUNY-Fredonia, the University of New Mexico, Florida State University, and is currently at Vanderbilt University. His research and writing have focused on international conflict, and most recently on the relationship of democracy to conflict. His introductory text on international relations has been published in 10 editions since 1979.