ABSTRACT
F oreign governments have promoted their inter-ests in the United States since the 1800s. As theUnited States became a great power, its actions (or lack of involvement) in foreign policy had greater impact on other countries. As the American economy grew stronger relative to other nations, for example, its trade policies became more significant to their welfare. Thus, the growth of United States power in the world increases the incentives of foreign governments to attempt to influence the design of American foreign policy. In the 1990s the United States has remained the world’s most powerful nation, as determined by economic and military measures as well as by cultural influence. For the near future, foreign governments will have reason to continue their lobbying efforts.
