Routledge U.S. Global Leadership Role and Domestic Polarization

In this scholarly work, Gordon Friedrichs provides a deep look into how domestic polarization affects U.S. foreign policy and international leadership. Part of the Role Theory and International Relations series, this book explores the connection between internal political divides and how America acts on the world stage. Using a mixed-method design, Friedrichs analyzes a diverse dataset that includes congressional debates, letters, polarization data, and co-sponsorship coalitions. The research applies role theory to identify three specific effects on U.S. leadership: the sorting effect, partisan warfare, and the institutional corrosion effect. These concepts are examined through comparative case studies, including the Iran case, to demonstrate how domestic tensions shape global engagement. This text is an essential resource for students and professionals studying political science, international relations, and American government.