The Politics of National Security Congress and U.S. Defense Policy [Paperback]

Over the past twenty years, a revolution has occurred in relations between the American executive and legislative branches. Once a passive observer of the President's decisions on defense policy, the Congress has assumed a more aggressive role in decisions on the defense budget, arms control, war powers, sales of weapons abroad, and covert operations. Based on interviews with members of Congress and their staffs,The Politics of National Securitydescribes and analyzes this fundamental change in the United States political system, concentrating on the political factors behind the Congress' greater assertiveness.

This is a well-organized, comprehensive, and very readable account of how and why Congress has seized--and more importantly retained--much of the high ground in the creation of defense policy....Compared to other books in this genre, this is a gem. --Political Science Quarterly

[Thoughtful, well-researched,...clearly written, and most importantly, timely and relevant to the policy debates which face those in high office....[A] valuable book. The policy recommendations are first-rate (notably on the War Powers statute), and the central thesis is unassailable. --Governance

Lively and thought-provoking....Well written and stimulating...a valuable contribution to the literature. --International Affairs

For students and practitioners of international affairs who believe that U.S. national security policy of the exceutive branch, Blechman's superb new book on Congress's role in defense policy is a 'must read' primer. For those who already reognize Congress's role as an equal partner in this field, the book will provide fresh insights into the U.S. defence policy-making process. And all those who despair about the problems related to congressional-executive confrontations over defence policy will find in these pages a cogent and even-handed blueprint for improving the collaborative process. lc)