The Expanding Role of State and Local Governments in U.S. Foreign Affairs

July 1, 1998

Book
Foreign policy analyses written by CFR fellows and published by the trade presses, academic presses, or the Council on Foreign Relations Press.

Read an excerpt of The Expanding Role of State and Local Governments in U.S. Foreign Affairs.

Throughout much of the world, two seemingly paradoxical trends are occurring simultaneously. Countries are becoming ever-more integrated economically—and in some cases politically—but power is devolving from national governments to regional and local governments.

More on:

State and Local Governments (U.S.)

United States

Earl Fry explores the forces behind the rise of state and local influence in foreign affairs. As Americans become increasingly involved beyond U.S. borders—whether through trade, immigration, travel, or the Internet—the federal government is less able to regulate the multiple strands of U.S. involvement in the world. State and local governments increasingly shape the ways Americans cope with the outside world. Fry suggests how the different levels of U.S. government can best share the conduct of international relations.

A Council on Foreign Relations Book

More on:

State and Local Governments (U.S.)

United States

Top Stories on CFR

Military Operations

The deployment of federal troops in Los Angeles has sparked concerns among some legal experts about the future of civilian-military relations in the United States. Two CFR experts weigh in on the potential implications.

Immigration and Migration

The White House’s latest travel ban imposes restrictions on citizens from nineteen countries. Many of those affected are contending with crises at home.

Economics

There is too much talk about the dollar’s role as a reserve currency and too little talk about expectations of exceptional returns. Reserve accumulation hasn’t driven the financing of the U.S. current account deficit in recent years.