Dr. Samuel Lucas McMillan, Assistant Professor of Political Science

The Involvement of State Governments in U.S. Foreign Relations
By Samuel Lucas McMillan

Palgrave Macmillan
February 2012

282 pages
ISBN-10: 0230113257
ISBN-13: 978-0230113251

Palgrave Macmillan website for the book 

Amazon.com website for the book

Summary
This book examines how U.S. 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 U.S. states compete in the global economy.  The book analyzes U.S. 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.  This project offers conclusions for improving intergovernmental relations, determining international economic development strategies, and shows many subnational governments are involved in world politics.

Reviews
"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 US 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 light on which governors choose to become more involved in foreign policy as well as the impacts of both region and partisanship in their choices."
   --Ralph G. Carter, professor of political science, Texas Christian University

"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. This is a very worthwhile project and McMillan has delivered what he promises."
   --Earl Fry, professor of political science, Brigham Young University