The Cold War at Home and Abroad: Domestic Politics and U.S. Foreign Policy since 1945

James F. Siekmeier, The Cold War at Home and Abroad: Domestic Politics and U.S. Foreign Policy since 1945, Journal of American History, Volume 106, Issue 2, September 2019, Page 525, https://doi.org/10.1093/jahist/jaz475

Extract

This volume, on one of the most important issues in the study of the history of U.S. foreign policy, the intersection of domestic politics and foreign affairs, is an excellent overview of the state of this subfield of foreign relations history. Covering nearly all regions of the world, and filling a critical gap in the field of foreign relations history—the influence of domestic politics on foreign policy—it also showcases the excellent work of up-and-coming scholars. Focusing on the critically important transition from the end of the Cold War to the post–Cold War era, the articles exhibit methodological diversity, academic rigor, and excellent writing. In some cases, the essays bringing fresh interpretations to well-studied topics; in other cases, little-understood but important corners of the history of U.S. foreign relations are brought to light. The role of Congress, not studied deeply by many foreign relations scholars, and the role of lesser-known interest groups, are importantly foregrounded. The introduction and conclusion are refreshingly to the point and contextualize the material in the volume very well.