Who and What Are Some of the Most Important Actors

question 50

Essay

Who and what are some of the most important actors in American foreign policy? What is the difference between a maker and a shaper of policy? How does the Constitution distribute the responsibility for formulating foreign policy? How do interest groups influence foreign policy?

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Definitions:

Auguste Comte

A French philosopher known as the founder of sociology and positivism, emphasizing empirical observation and the scientific study of society.

Talcott Parsons

An American sociologist known for his contributions to social action theory, structural functionalism, and for his work on the system theory to understand societal dynamics and functions.

Social Contract

A theory in political philosophy suggesting that people live together in society in accordance with an agreement that establishes moral and political rules of behavior.

Classical Theorist

refers to scholars from earlier periods whose works form the foundations of a discipline, such as Socrates in philosophy or Adam Smith in economics.