The price of American foreign policy

the long version

In this first in-depth study of the process by which U.S. foreign policy is funded, William Bacchus draws on more than twenty years' experience in government to analyze the uneasy interplay between the executive and legislative branches as decisions about priorities and policies are made. He begins by examining historical trends in foreign affairs budgeting, then shows how budget proposals are originated in the Executive branch and how they are affected by the complexities of congressional appropriation and authorization, and concludes with a look at "myths" about budgeting and suggestions for improving the system.