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The Executive Branch - General & Miscellaneous, United States History - Politics & Government
U.S. Department of State A Reference History by Elmer Plischke — book cover

U.S. Department of State A Reference History

by Elmer Plischke
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Overview

This reference history describes and analyzes the State Department and Foreign Service of the United States. It also outlines the history of three major State Department functions, namely, the treatymaking process and record, representation in international conferences, and participation in international organizations and other agencies. The volume covers more than two centuries—from the genesis of American diplomacy to the 1990s. Unlike other works, this volume deals with such matters as departmental organization and management; personnel and staffing; administrative practices, reform, and reorganization; and the Department's operations, functions, principal and other officers, and problems.

The volume consists of eight chapters, extensively footnoted, each of which focuses on successive periods grouped in four major historical eras. Tables are designed to serve as further reference for long-range historical analysis and exploration. The book is supplemented with three appendixes and a comprehensive bibliography. A complete and up-to-date major reference, this will be an asset to the reference collections of both academic and public libraries.

About the Author, Elmer Plischke

ELMER PLISCHKE is Professor Emeritus at the University of Maryland, College Park, and is a recognized authority on U.S. foreign relations and State Department matters.

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Editorials

Booknews

Neither a comprehensive history of the agency, which would take several volumes, a traditional diplomatic history, nor an analysis of US foreign policy. Rather Plischke (U. of Maryland-College Park) focuses on its origin, organization, reform, maturation, functions, leadership structure, machinery, principal officers, management, staffing, personnel system, diplomatic and consular missions and representation abroad, treaty making, participation in international conferences and organizations, and relations with other government agencies that possess foreign relations responsibilities. He gets into considerable detail in such areas as presidential and ministerial diplomacy, congressional legislation concerned with the Department, the Foreign Service, and domestic responsibilities. He includes an extensive glossary without indicating pronunciations. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Book Details

Published
December 30, 1999
Publisher
Greenwood Press
Pages
806
Format
Hardcover, 2000
ISBN
9780313291265

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