The Role of the Policy Planning Staff in British Foreign Policy: Historical Lessons and Contemporary Insights
The Role of the Policy Planning Staff in British Foreign Policy: Historical Lessons and Contemporary Insights
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政策规划人员在英国外交政策中的作用：历史教训和当代见解
DOI：
10.1080/09592296.2020.1782675
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发表时间：
2020
影响因子：
0.4
通讯作者：
Louise Kettle
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Louise Kettle
这一分析挑战了传统的研究外交和联邦事务部（FCO）内部外交政策制定的方法。虽然大多数历史和当代的研究都集中在外交大臣，常任副大臣和高级海外代表的作用，这个注释认为，一个被忽视的部门-政策规划人员及其当代的继任者，政策股-对英国外交政策的辩论和方向产生了重大影响。利用根据《信息自由法》收到的文件、档案文件以及与现任和前任工作人员和更广泛的外交和联邦事务部成员进行的访谈，它揭示了规划部门的基本原理、其作用、结构、人员配备以及随着时间的推移对外交政策的影响。它的结论是，该部门一直是，并仍然是决策过程中的一个重要组成部分，因此，值得进一步关注的历史学家和那些感兴趣的当代外交政策分析。
ABSTRACT This analysis challenges the traditional approach to studying the creation of foreign policy within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office [FCO]. Whilst most historical and contemporary research has focused upon the role of the foreign secretary, permanent under-secretary, and senior overseas representatives, this exegesis argues that an overlooked department – the Policy Planning Staff and its contemporary successor, the Policy Unit – has had significant influence over the debate and direction of British foreign policy. Drawing upon documents received under the Freedom of Information Act, archival documents, and interviews conducted with current and previous members of the Staff and the wider FCO, it reveals the rationale for the planning department, its roles, structure, staffing, and influence on foreign policy over time. It concludes that the department has been, and remains, a crucial part of the policy-making process and, therefore, warrants further attention from historians and those interested in contemporary foreign policy analysis.