Given the current state of world affairs and the global war on terror, American foreign policy has taken on added importance and garnered immense amounts of national attention. Consequently, the need to understand the motives and workings behind the United States' international relations is paramount. From the role of behind-the-scenes agencies to the high-profile diplomatic talks with foreign dignitaries, this series presents analyses of the most relevant issues to understanding and evaluating American foreign policy.

Eighteen original essays by leading scholars offer a cutting edge perspective on change in the modern Congress. This edition provides an assessment of the Republican revolution, its electoral after-math in 1996, and the prospects for a long-term Republican congressional dominance.

In this provocative and readable volume, eleven leading constitutional authorities challenge "business as usual" in American foreign policymaking. For far too long, they contend, Americans have acquiesced to presidential claims to sweeping executive powers in foreign affairs—thanks to imperial-minded presidents, a weak-willed Congress, and neglectful scholars. These authors forcefully argue that the president is not the supreme crafter of foreign policy and that Congress must provide more than a rubber stamp for the president's agenda. Unilateral presidential control of foreign relations, they warn, can pose a grave threat to our nation's welfare and is simply without constitutional warrant. Combining constitutional theory with keen historical insights, these authors illuminate the roots of presidential abuse of executive power and remind us of the past and potential costs of such disregard for our unique system of checks-and-balances. An essential guide for all concerned citizens and members of Congress, this volume should help revive a proper understanding of this crucial dimension of American democracy.

Provides historical coverage of the United States and Canada from prehistory to the present. Includes information abstracted from over 2,000 journals published worldwide.