William W. Newmann, PhD
Professor
Department of Political Science
Virginia Commonwealth University
Room 318 Founders Hall
827 W. Franklin St.
Box 842542
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA 23284-2542
phone (804) 828-2076
wnewmann@vcu.edu
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Dr. Newmann has been teaching at Virginia Commonwealth University since 1992. He received his Ph.D. in Public Policy from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh. He also holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. in Political Science from Drew University. His research interests include U.S. foreign policy, national security and defense policy decision making, the U.S. presidency, East Asian Security, and terrorism and homeland security.
Dr. Newmann teaches the following courses at VCU:
Political Science 105 International Relations (INTL 105) Fall 2024
Political Science 308 U.S. Presidency Fall 2024
Political Science 355 Asian Governments and Politics (INTL 355) (Spr. 25)
Political Science 361 Issues in World Politics (INTL 361) (Summer 2024)
Political Science 363 US Foreign Policy (Spring 2025)
Political Science 378 East Asian International Relations (2026)
Political Science 385 International Security (Fall 2025)
Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness 301 Terrorism (POLI 367) (Fall 2023)
Older Syllabi
Political Science 105: International Relations (INTL 105) Summer 2000 (includes simulation)
Political Science 355 Asian Governments and Politics (INTL 355) (SP. 2022)
Political Science 385 International Security (Summer 2022)
POLI 308 US Presidency (Fall 2022)
Political Science 361: Issues in World Politics (INTL 361) Fall 2023 with Simulations
Political Science 363: US Foreign Policy (INTL 363)(Spring 2024)
Political Science 369: US National Security (Summer 2019)
Political Science 369 US National Security (Spring 2017 for Simulation)
PUBLICATIONS
Books:
· Isolation and Engagement: Presidential Decision Making on China from Kennedy to Nixon (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2022)
· Managing National Security Policy: The President and the Process (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, July 2003)
· Nominated for the Library of Virginia Non-Fiction Book Award, 2004
· Chinese translation published by the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense, 2008
· Paperback edition published by University of Pittsburgh Press, 2013
Peer-reviewed articles:
“Simulating the US National Security Interagency Process: Solid Foundations and a Method of Assessment.” (with William T. Christiansen). Journal of Political Science Education 19, Issue 2 (April-June 2023): 331-348.
“Deterrence and Commitment Across the Taiwan Strait: Lessons from Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy,” War on the Rocks, December 19, 2022.
“Searching for the Right Balance? Managing Foreign Policy Decisions under Eisenhower and Kennedy,” Congress and the Presidency 42, Issue 2 (June 2015): 119-146.
“Kennedy, Johnson, and Policy toward China: Testing the Importance of the President in Foreign Policy Decision Making,” Presidential Studies Quarterly 44, Number 4 (December 2014): 640-672.
“Persuasion-Bargaining and Institutions in an Organized Anarchy: Clinton Administration Decisions on China, 1993-1994,” American Review of Public Administration 43, Issue 3 (May 2013): 347 - 367.
“Hegemonic Disruption: The Asymmetric Challenge to US Leadership,” Strategic Studies Quarterly 4, No. 3 (Fall 2011): 67-101.
“The Structures of National Security Decision Making: Leadership, Institutions, and Politics in the Carter, Reagan, and GHW Bush Years,” Presidential Studies Quarterly 34, no. 2 (June 2004): 272-307.
“Reorganizing for National Security and Homeland Security,” Public Administration Review 62, Special Issue (September 2002): 126-137.
"Causes of Change in National Security Processes: Carter, Reagan, and Bush Decision Making on Arms Control," Presidential Studies Quarterly 31, no. 1 (March 2001): 69-103.
"Active Engagement of the Intro. IR Student: A Simulation Approach," (with Judyth L. Twigg), PS: Political Science and Politics 33, no. 4 (December 2000): 835-842.
"Foreign Policy Decision Making, Garbage Cans, and Policy Shifts: The Eisenhower Administration and the 'Chances for Peace' Speech," American Review of Public Administration 28, no. 2 (June 1998): 187-212.
Invited Articles
· “A Brief Introduction to Theories of International Political Economy,” Genocide Studies International 10, No. 1 (Spring 2016): 7-26.
Book Chapters:
· “Beyond the Standard Interpretation of George W. Bush’s National Security Policy: Decision Making on North Korea,” in The George W. Bush Presidency: Volume III: Foreign Policy, Meena Bose and Paul Fritz, eds. (Nova Sciences, 2016), Chapter 10, pp. 131-144.
· “Terrorism is the Most Significant Threat Faced by the U.S. in the 21st Century: Pro and Con,” in Debating the War on Terror, Tom Lansford and Robert P. Watson, eds., (Kendall-Hunt), 2003.
· "International Institutions of the Asia-Pacific Region: ASEAN, ARF, and APEC," in Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks: International Organization and the 21st Century, Wayne Lesperance and Tom Lansford, eds., (Needham Heights, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing), 2000.
· "Intervention in the New World Order: United States Use of Force in Latin America and the Persian Gulf," in Regional Conflicts: The Challenge to US-Russian Cooperation, James E. Goodby, ed., (Oxford: Oxford University Press), 1995, 132-156.
· "History Accelerates: The Diplomacy of Cooperation and Fragmentation," in The Limited Partnership: Building a Russian-US Security Community, James E. Goodby and Benoit Morel, eds., (Oxford: Oxford University Press), 1993, 25-54.
· "Building a Eurasian-Atlantic Community: Cooperative Management of the Military Transition," (with Judyth L. Twigg), in The Limited Partnership, Goodby and Morel, eds., 224-248.
· "Some Limits on Cooperation and Transparency: Operational Security and the Use of Force," in The Limited Partnership, Goodby and Morel, eds., 289-305.
On-Line Publications:
· "National Missile Defense and Deterrence: Stability is in the Eye of the Beholder." Weidenbaum Center on the Economy, Government, and Public Policy, Washington University in St. Louis
Review
· Review of John Arquilla, The Reagan Imprint, White House Studies 6, No. 4 (2006): 437-439.
AWARDS
Elske V. P. Smith Award
College of Humanities and Sciences, 2023
VCU REAL
Outstanding Mentor Award, 2021
College of Humanities and Sciences
Distinguished Teaching Award 2017
Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
Teaching Award 2011
Presidential Studies Quarterly journal
Best Article 2001 for "Causes of Change in National Security Processes: Carter, Reagan, and Bush Decision Making on Arms Control," Presidential Studies Quarterly 31, no. 1 (March 2001)
American Political Science Association
Leonard D. White Award for the Best Dissertation in Public Administration written in 1998 or 1999 (awarded September 2000)
CONFERENCE PAPERS PRESENTED
April 2023: “Balancing China and Taiwan: Carter, Reagan, and the Search for Consensus.” Midwest Political Science Association, Annual Meeting, Chicago.
April 2022: “Why the US Should Expect China to Seek Nuclear Parity.” Midwest Political Science Association, Annual Meeting, Chicago.
April 2019: “Simulating the US National Security Interagency Process: Lessons Learned.” Midwest Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Chicago.
March 2017: “The Evolution of National Security Decision Making since the End of the Cold War: Has National Security Decision Making Adapted to Changes in the International System?” Virginia Social Sciences Association, Annual Meeting, Richmond, VA.
October 2015: “Nixon Decision Making on China: A Second Look.” ISSS/ISAC Annual Conference 2015, Springfield, MA.
April 2015: “Beyond the Standard Interpretation of GW Bush National Security Policy: Decision Making on North Korea.” Midwest Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Chicago.
March 2015: “Realists, Idealists, and Political Pragmatists: Foreign Policy Decision Making in the Obama Administration” Keynote Address at “Who Decides in Washington?” International Conference sponsored by the Raoul Dandurand Chair of Strategic and International Studies, University of Quebec at Montreal.
March 2015: “Beyond the Standard Interpretation of GW Bush National Security Policy: Decision Making on North Korea.” 12th Presidential Conference, “George W. Bush,” Hofstra University, West Hempstead, NY.
October 2014: “The Evolution of National Security Decision Making since the End of the Cold War: How Have Presidents Adapted to Changes in the International System?” International Studies Association, South Region Annual Meeting, Richmond, VA.
April 2014: “The Evolution of National Security Decision Making since the End of the Cold War: How Have Presidents Adapted to Changes in the International System?” Midwest Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Chicago.
October 2013: “Finding the Balance: Managing Foreign Policy Decisions under Ike and JFK.” ISSS/ISAC Annual Conference 2013 Washington DC.
October 2012: “The Evolution of National Security Decision Making since the End of the Cold War: Have Presidents Adapted to Changes in the International System?” ISSS/ISAC Annual Conference 2012 Chapel Hill, NC.
March 2011: “Kennedy, Johnson, and Policy toward China: Testing the Importance of the President in Foreign Policy Decision Making” Midwest Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Chicago.
April 2008: “Hegemonic Competition, Hegemonic Disruption and the Current War” Midwest Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Chicago.
April 2007: “A Strategic Approach to the Current War: Neorealism, Ideology, and Hegemony.” Midwest Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Chicago.
August 2006: “Ideological and Hegemonic Conflict in the Post-9/11 World” Oxford University Roundtable, Oxford, UK.
November 2005: “Presidential Involvement in Foreign Policy Decision Making: The Search for Consensus and Decision in the Clinton Administration.” 11th Presidential Conference, “William Jefferson Clinton,” Hofstra University, West Hempstead, NY.
October 2002: “Reorganizing for National Security and Homeland Security.” International Studies Association South Annual Meeting.
October 2001: “National Missile Defense and Deterrence: Stability is in the Eye of the Beholder.” International Studies Association South Annual Meeting.
August/September 2001: “National Missile Defense and Strategic Doctrine: The Impact on Deterrence.” American Political Science Association Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (unable to present due to illness).
March 1999: "Liberal Democracy, Soft Authoritarianism, and Theocracy: Domestic Ideologies and International Conflict." International Studies Association Annual Meeting, Washington DC.
August/September 1997: "Eisenhower's Management of Bureaucratic Conflict: A Synthesis of Decision Making Models." American Political Science Association Annual Meeting.
March 1997: "Bureaucratic Politics, Presidential Management, and Garbage Cans: Decision Making in the Eisenhower Administration." International Studies Association Annual Meeting, Toronto.
September 1996: "The Dynamics of Foreign Policy Decision Making: Presidential Management of Bureaucratic Conflict. American Political Science Association Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA.
April 1996: "The United Nations Operation in Somalia: Mixing Collective Security and Peacekeeping." International Studies Association--Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.
November 1995: "The United States and the United Nations: Some Lessons from Somalia." Conference on "Engagement and Disengagement: New Directions in U.S. Foreign Policy," College Park, Maryland.
October 1995: "The United Nations Operation in Somalia: Mixing Collective Security and Peacekeeping." International Studies Association South Region Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA.
April 1995: "The Dynamics of Foreign Policy Decision Making: Presidential Management of Bureaucratic Conflict." Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference, Chicago.
For Information on graduate study in International Affairs, go to the web site of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA – www.apsia.org): An association of schools that give undergraduate and graduate degrees in international affairs. This has summaries of all the programs and direct links to the programs. This is the place for one-stop shopping to find into on graduate study in IR. Also check out this site (InternationalRelationsEdu) with information on the discipline of and careers in International Relations.
· For information on Graduate School funding
Links that may be of interest
· Links to Resources on International Relations
· Links to resources on US Foreign and National Security Policy
· Links to resources on US-China-Taiwan relations
· Links to resources on Biological and Chemical weapons
· Links to resources on Terrorism and Homeland Security
· Links to resources on nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, and missile defense
· World News Network is an excellent site with links to newspaper articles from all over the world, indexed by region and subject
· The International Crisis Group is a non-profit organization that analyzes and publishes reports on social, political, and economic issues all over the globe
· Global Security.Org (excellent resources for international diplomatic, military, and political issues
· Federation of American Scientists (FAS): Non-profit organization that watches over world military trends
· Dave Leip’s Atlas of US Presidential Elections (super data on voting and outcomes; the best easy to use source for this nationwide and state by state).
· Real Clear Politics (tracks all elections and key issues at state and federal level; an archive of info from all kinds of sources)
· Fact Check.Org (The Annenberg Center’s non-partisan fact checker on political ads and candidate statements)
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