If you ever wondered who becomes an American ambassador and why, this is the book for you. It describes how Foreign Service officers become ambassadors by rising up through the ranks, and why they typically make up about 70 percent of the total number of ambassadors. It also covers where the other 30 percent come from―the political appointees who get the job because they helped elect the president by supporting him as a campaign contributor, a political ally, or a personal friend. It explains why, despite being illegal and a threat to national security, selling the title of ambassador remains a common practice that is also unique to the United States. It considers why some suggestions for reform are misguided, what might be done, and why who the president is matters so much in determining how well the United States will be represented abroad.
This updated and revised edition of Jett's classic book not only provides a timely overview of American ambassadorship for Foreign Service Officers, aspiring diplomats, and interested citizens, but also calls for much-needed reform, describing the dire implications of failing to change our ambassadorial appointments process for the future of American diplomatic practice and foreign policy.
Author(s): Dennis C. Jett
Edition: 2
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2021
Language: English
Pages: 484
City: Cham
ADST-DACOR Diplomats and Diplomacy Series
Praise for the First Edition
Praise for the Second Edition
Preface to the Second Edition
Acknowledgments
My Introduction to Diplomatic Life
Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 A Brief History of the Title
The Early years—The Sometimes-Able Amateurs of a Third-Rate Power
The Middle Years—A Player on the World Stage Recognizes the Need for Better Diplomats
The Past 60 Years—Professionalization Hits Its Limit
2 Becoming an Ambassador—The Foreign Service Route
The Foreign Service Route
The First Steps for a Career Ambassador
Getting to the Top
And Getting to the Top Is Not Enough
Grabbing the Brass Ring
3 Becoming an Ambassador—The Political Route
4 The Last Steps—Clearance and Confirmation
5 What an Ambassador Does
Woody Was Right—Showing Up Matters
Don’t Beat the Staff
Really—Don’t Beat the Staff
The Job Is Not What You Make It
You Can Do Too Much as Well as Too Little
You’re Not in the Army Now … or the Air Force
Planning Counts, Even When It Isn’t Easy
6 Where Ambassadors Go
Women
Race and Ethnicity
Sexual Orientation
Religion
Personal Preference
7 Why It Matters and How It Might Be Changed
Resources and Efficiency
Public Diplomacy
American Exceptionalism
Globalization
Tax Treaties
Law of the Sea
Rights of the Disabled
Rights of Children
The Disadvantage of Globalization
Reforming the State Department
The Case Against Trump
How It Might Be Changed
Why It Might Not Get Much Better
Appendices
Appendix A: Questionnaire for Presidential Appointees, Obama Administration, November 2008, Trump Research Questionnaire 2020
I. Professional Background
II. Publications, Writings, and Speeches
III. Relationships and Affiliations
IV. Financial Information
V. Tax Information
VI. Legal and Administrative Proceedings
VII. Domestic Help
VIII. Miscellaneous
2020 Trump RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE
Appendix B: AFSA Guidelines for Successful Performance as a Chief of Mission
Introduction
Role of the Chief of Mission
Constitutional and Legislative Authority
Work of the COM
Challenges
Recommended Guidelines for Successful Performance as a COM
Working Group
Appendix C: Treaties Pending Before the Senate as of 2014 and 2019
Treaties Pending as of October 22, 2019
Appendix D: Provisions of the Foreign Service Act of 1980
SEC. 207. 15 CHIEF OF MISSION—
SEC. 304. APPOINTMENT OF CHIEFS OF MISSION—
Appendix E: Presidential Letters of Instruction to Chiefs of Mission
President Trump’s Letter
President Obama’s Letter of Instruction to Chiefs of Mission
President George W. Bush’s Letter of Instruction to Chiefs of Mission
Detailed Instructions
President Clinton’s Letter of Instruction to Chiefs of Mission
President George H. W. Bush’s Letter of Instruction to Chiefs of Mission
Appendix F: Countries with Danger Pay Allowance
Appendix G: Countries with Hardship Differentials
Appendix H: Inspector General’s Personal Questionnaire for Inspections
PERSONAL QUESTIONNAIRE
Workplace and Quality of Life Questionnaire
Appendix I: Reform Reports and Their Recommendations
Appendix J: Foreign Service Promotion Statistics 2020
Index
