Skip to content
  • University Home
  • Academics
  • Admissions
  • Campus Life
  • Research
  • About
  • Apply
  • Giving
Clemson News

Clemson News

  • Topics
    • OUR Clemson
    • Impact and Innovation
    • Student Success
      • Spring of 2024 President’s List
      • Spring of 2024 Dean’s List
    • Faculty and Staff Achievements
    • Alumni Accomplishments
    • Infectious Disease Research
    • Commentary And Analysis
    • All Stories
    • Clemson In The News
    • Celebrating Our Graduates
    • Military Traditions
  • Colleges
    • College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
    • College of Architecture, Art and Construction
    • College of Arts and Humanities
    • College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences
    • College of Education
    • College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
    • College of Science
    • Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine
    • Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business
  • Divisions
    • Office of the President
    • Office of the Provost
    • Advancement
    • Marketing and Communications
    • Clemson Computing Information Technology
    • Community, Engagement, Belonging and Access
    • External Affairs
    • Finance and Operations
    • Clemson Libraries
    • Institutional Excellence
    • Public Service and Agriculture
    • Research
    • Student Affairs
    • Athletics
  • For Journalists
    • Our Experts
Clemson.edu Resources
  • University Home
  • Academics
  • Admissions
  • Campus Life
  • Research
  • About
College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences

Political Science professor publishes new book examining the impact of partisan polarization on United States diplomacy

Shelley Gordon

Share:

Jeffrey Peake, author of Dysfunctional Diplomacy and professor of political science.
Download image
April 5, 2023April 24, 2023

A new book published by a Clemson University professor examines partisan polarization within the United States government and its impact on international agreements.

The book, “Dysfunctional Diplomacy,” written by Jeffrey Peake, professor and chair of the Department of Political Science, uses a mixed-methods approach to assess the politics surrounding treaty ratification and the use of unilateral authority since World War II, focusing primarily on the twenty-first century.

Jeffrey Peake, professor and chair of the Department of Political Science.

“In recent years, extreme partisan polarization has caused a break down in political processes to the point that democratic norms are no longer common practice,” said Peake. “Since the start of the twenty-first century, presidents more often abandon international treaties in favor of executive agreements – a process with less oversight, more presidential autonomy and negative domestic implications.”

Peake said the impetus for the book came while watching a presidential debate in 2008 when candidates discussed the importance of treaties, further exposing the disconnect between the perspectives of Congress and the executive branch. During this time, the transparency regime – a legislative tool that enables greater public access to information – was also becoming increasingly limited in both its access to and dissemination of information.

Over the course of his nearly decade-long examination of data, Peake enlisted undergraduate students in the research process, through the Creative Inquiry program. Students identified how many treaties were submitted for senate consideration and how many were signed and never submitted. They helped identify political variables, write summaries and link to related research studies. In all, Peake and students coded 1,000 treaties, over 3,000 executive agreements and wrote case studies on more than a dozen major international agreements.

Following the release of his book, Peake will return to faculty after a twelve-year term as chair of the political science department later this year.

Under Peake’s leadership, the department has nearly doubled its students and faculty, expanded its program offerings and increased faculty research and grant funding. He takes pride in the fact that their faculty are receiving Fulbright Scholarships, book fellowships and competitive grants – all the makings of a healthy department – while still remaining student and research-focused.

“Dr. Peake has guided the Department of Political Science into the future as a vibrant, multi-faceted program,” said Leslie Hossfeld, dean of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences. “I greatly appreciate all that he has done over the years to build and strengthen the department. We are very fortunate to have Dr. Peake back in the classroom to share his expertise and to mentor the next generation of political science students at Clemson University.”


The Department of Political Science is part of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, a 21st-century land-grant college joining together a unique combination of schools and departments: Communication, Nursing, Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Political Science, Psychology, Public Health Sciences and Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice. These areas have distinctive characteristics and missions – all joined together by a common thread of service to people and communities.

Want to Discuss?

Get in touch and we will connect you with the author or another expert.

Or email us at news@clemson.edu

    This form is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    Related Posts

    At home in political science, Clemson’s Ph.D. in policy studies allows graduates to shape policy in South Carolina and beyond

    At home in political science, Clemson’s Ph.D. in policy studies allows graduates to shape policy in South Carolina and beyond

    Joyce Baugh

    CBSHS Alumni Spotlight: Political science professor and community advocate

    A front page of the book "Baseball and Cultural Heritage."

    Is baseball only America’s pastime?

    Department of Political Science

    Clemson News

    Clemson News is the go-to source for stories and news about the innovations, research and accomplishments of the Clemson Family.

    • Contact Us

    Media Resources

    • For Journalists
    • Find an Expert

    Clemson Publications

    • Clemson World
    • Decipher
    • Orange. The Experience.
    • Clemson TV

    Policy/Terms of Use

    • Web Accessibility
    • Title IX
    • Non-Discrimination & Anti-Harassment Policy
    • Ethics/Safety Hotline
    • Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2025. All Rights Reserved.

    Clemson University