What kinds of factors generally influence the foreign policy decision making (FPDM) process? How are the foreign policy behaviors of large powers distinguishable from those of small states? Through a comparative perspective that focuses primarily on the post-cold war period, we will examine important factors that appear to explain the foreign policy process (important inputs and outputs) in countries like China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, and the United States. In that vein, we will survey in this graduate course the domestic context for each country under study, the changing international environment, and the impact of pressing issues and trends such as nationalism and civil conflict, international terrorism, and economic globalization.

What kinds of factors generally influence the foreign policy decision making (FPDM) process? How are the foreign policy behaviors of large powers distinguishable from those of small states? Through a comparative perspective that focuses primarily on the post-cold war period, we will examine important factors that appear to explain the foreign policy process (important inputs and outputs) in countries like China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, and the United States. In that vein, we will survey in this graduate course the domestic context for each country under study, the changing international environment, and the impact of pressing issues and trends such as nationalism and civil conflict, international terrorism, and economic globalization.