The Involvement of State Governments in US Foreign Relations - by S McMillan (Hardcover)

About the Book

"An examination of how U.S. states and governors connect to American foreign relations, this book argues that these subnational actors should be analyzed in international relations scholarship. Chapters merge the literature from international relations, foreign policy analysis, international political economy, and U.S. state politics to describe how paradiplomacy began in the 1950s and has expanded with globalization. Analysis is performed on governors' foreign relations activities as well as U.S. states' and governors' foreign economic activities, such as overseas trips to recruit foreign direct investment and promote exports"--

Book Synopsis

Offering conclusions for improving intergovernmental relations, determining international economic development strategies, and showing how many subnational governments are involved in world politics, this book examines how US states and governors connect to American foreign relations, tracing activities that began in the 1950s and have expanded with globalization. Chapters explain governors foreign relations activities in political, economic, and defense contexts and how US states compete in the global economy. The book analyzes US states ability to attract foreign investment and promote exports, making use of statistical analysis and personal interviews with state officials in the United States and posted abroad.

Review Quotes

'With this well-written book, McMillan fills a gaping hole in the study of US foreign policy. His study of state governments is theoretically informed, data rich, cleanly organized, and comprehensive. It is also timely given the heightened activism of governors and other state officials in foreign affairs. I expect that students and practitioners of US foreign policy will find this a valuable resource for many years to come.' - Steven W. Hook, professor and chair of Political Science, Kent State University

'McMillan's book is an important contribution to our understanding of U.S. state engagements with international affairs. The book provides updated information, tests useful hypotheses, and offers new and interesting perspectives on states' foreign-relations activities.' - John Kincaid, Robert B. and Helen S. Meyner Professor of Government and Public Service, Lafayette College

'In this extensive study, McMillan documents how states - and particularly their governors - have become notable actors in helping to set the agendas, norms, and expectations of US foreign policy. In particular, he sheds additional light on which governors choose to become more involved in foreign policy as well as the impacts of both region and partisanship on their choices.' - Ralph G. Carter, professor of Political Science, Texas Christian University and co-author of Choosing to Lead: Understanding Congressional Foreign Policy Entrepreneurs

'McMillan covers a topic rarely addressed in political science or international relations. There has been significant growth in sub-state international relations, not just in the United States, but also in Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. In addition, this topic should become even more important in the future because of growing globalization and increasing linkages between the international and the local. The task of state governments will still be to protect and enhance the interests of their constituents, but the setting for doing so will morph as what happens outside the United States increasingly affects the well-being of constituents at the local and state levels within the US. This is a very worthwhile project and McMillan has delivered what he promises.' - Earl Fry, professor of Political Science, Brigham Young University

'The author convincingly answers the appeal of other scholars dealing with American states involvement in foreign relations, to focus 'more on motivations, strategies, and methods' (p. 191). Based on a blend of quantitative and qualitative methods, and insights from federalism studies, international relations, international political economy and foreign policy analysis, McMillan seeks to understand variation in U.S. states and governors involvement in foreign relations.' - Publius

About the Author

Samuel Lucas McMillan is an assistant professor of Political Science at Lander University. His research has appeared in the journals Foreign Policy Analysis and International Interactions. A former Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar to England, he serves as president of the South Carolina Political Science Association.