32510
Graduate Course
SoSe 18: Theories and Methods for Studying Interest Group Influence on Foreign Policy
Lora Anne Viola
Comments
This course examines the influence of interest groups on US foreign policy making, paying particular attention to the theories and methods that can be used to assess interest group influence. Interest groups are a key element of domestic policy making in the United States, but relatively less attention has been paid to the role that interest groups play in shaping US foreign policy. Nevertheless, many studies have hypothesized that interest groups-from defense industry lobbyists (e.g. the Defense Department and arms manufacturers) to ethnic interest groups (e.g. the Cuban lobby or the Israel lobby) to foreign actors (e.g. the Gulf States)-play a role in shaping US foreign policy. This course explores the theories of interest group influence, the type of interest groups involved in foreign policy, the methods and strategies of interest group influence on foreign policy, and it thinks about what social science research tools can be used to measure the effect of interest groups on foreign policy. The course will be organized around specific policy areas as a means to address fundamental questions such as: is US foreign policy captive to a small set of special interests; does the arms industry influence the likelihood of the use of military force; will demographic change in the US affect the types of foreign policy it pursues; and do special interest groups enhance or compromise democratic policy making?
Unter Mitarbeit von Mirijam Koch.
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13 Class schedule
Regular appointments
Mon, 2018-04-16 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2018-04-23 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2018-04-30 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2018-05-07 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2018-05-14 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2018-05-28 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2018-06-04 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2018-06-11 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2018-06-18 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2018-06-25 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2018-07-02 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2018-07-09 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2018-07-16 14:00 - 16:00