Evolution of Foreign Policy Analysis

THE FIRST AND SECOND GENERATION IN FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS

The first generation of foreign policy analysis started in 1954 to 1973. Great strides in conceptualization along with parallel efforts in data collection and methodological experimentation were the contribution of this time period. The second generation of work from about 1974 to 1993 expressly built upon those foundations. Though it is always difficult to set the boundaries of a field of thoughts, the overview that follows includes a representative sampling of classic works in the first and second generation that both examined how the “specifics” of nations lead the differences in foreign policy choice/behavior and put forward proposition in this regard that at least have the potential to be generalized and applicable cross-nationally.

The first period also saw the emergence of a strong research agenda that examined the influence of organizational process and bureaucratic politics on foreign policy decision making. First period research showed how “rational” foreign policy making can be depended by the attempt to work with and through large, organized governmental groups.