Description
Book SynopsisThe success of Jamaicaâs impact on U.S. foreign policy proves that it is possible for a small, developing country to influence a superpower. Issues and experiences that are documented and analyzed in this book illustrate the issues of critical importance concerning the relations between large, powerful countries and small states.
Trade ReviewBernal . . . emphasizes the importance of doing one’s homework, building trust with important policy players, and identifying mutual interests. Interestingly, Bernal argues that information technology empowers small states by decreasing their transaction costs and increasing their capacity to mobilize constituencies. * Foreign Affairs *
Ambassador Bernal offers well-informed assessments of the challenges confronting small nations seeking to attract favorable attention in Washington’s policy-making, think-tank, and media communities. * IADB: Caribbean DEVTrends *
This book is essential for providing political and congressional leaders, in addition to students of international relations, with an understanding that small and large countries alike have the potential to influence the foreign policy decisions of super powers. I am truly grateful for Ambassador Bernal's service and for sharing his wisdom by discussing and providing first-hand knowledge of his extraordinary experience in shaping Jamaica and U.S. foreign policy decisions. Congratulations to Ambassador Bernal for addressing this issue at a significant juncture in United States foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere. -- Congressman Charles Rangel, Former Chairman, Ways and Means Committee
The dominant school of thought is that the foreign policies of large nations, are—with the exception of symbolic gestures and acts of “generosity"—impervious to the policy priorities of small states. Jamaica, as a matter of historical fact, turns this theory on its head. Bernal, as Jamaica’s ambassador and key strategist, demonstrated a rare mastery of the subtleties, nuances, and complexities of Washington, as revealed in the analysis and documentation in the book. He details the ways in which his small nation was able, between 1991 and 2001, to have an indisputable impact on the foreign policy of the world’s sole superpower. This work is an invaluable resource for policy-makers, students of international relations, those intrigued by the often maze-like character of U.S. foreign policy formulation, and those curious about the insights and skills that enabled Jamaica to have so clear an impact. -- Randall Robinson, Penn State Law
Dr. Bernal has given a scintillating and well-argued account of how, contrary to popular dogma, a small country like Jamaica can influence USA foreign policy. The manner in which this influence was exercised and the lucid account of the lessons learned make this book an important landmark in the international diplomacy especially of small states. There is no direct correlation between diplomatic influence and size. -- Sir George Alleyne, Chancellor of the University of the West Indies
With the publication of The Influence of Small States on Superpowers, scholar-practitioner Richard Bernal burnishes his well-deserved reputation for being a leading observer of Washington’s great sausage factory: the unruly making of U.S. foreign policy, of the complex interplay among clashing domestic and varied foreign interests, most particularly with regard to non-crisis regions. Bernal brilliantly demonstrates his core thesis—that size need not matter, that ambition, brains and strategy can carry the day—beyond a reasonable doubt. -- Richard Feinberg, University of California, San Diego and former Senior Director, Inter-American Affairs, National Security Council
Table of ContentsChapter 1: Objective and Organization Chapter 2: Small Sates in International Relations Chapter 3: Jamaica-U.S. Relations Chapter 4: How Foreign Governments Influence US Foreign Policy Chapter 5: Foreign Aid and Debt Relief Chapter 6: Counter Narcotics Cooperation Chapter 7: Caribbean Basin Trade Legislation Chapter 8: Conclusions and Lessons
