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United States Foreign Policy

With Donald Trump in the White House promising an 'America First' foreign policy based on the principle of 'peace through strength', what does he really mean? This module examines the making of US foreign policy and analyses some of the key global issues confronting the United States in the 21st century.

The module aims to deepen your understanding of who makes US foreign policy, how, why, and with what consequences. The module considers different conceptual approaches to analysing US foreign policy, examines the role of both values and interests, and explores the institutions, processes, and domestic politics of US foreign policy making and implementation. The module engages with a number of key issues in contemporary US foreign policy, including the US response to the perceived threat of international terrorism, questions concerning US military interventions and the use of force, the role of the US in regions such as the AsiaPacific, and the debate over the nature and strength of 'American leadership' in world politics. A particular focus is on the issue of American 'grand strategy' and how this has transformed under the influence of different presidencies.