ABSTRACT
Soviet scholarship on the subject of the role of Congress in American foreign policy evolved in tandem with the development of political science in the Soviet Union. The doctrine of separation of powers is the subject of intriguing analysis by americanists. The idea that power could be shared or diffused among state institutions which could both coalesce and conflict with each other is conceptually very difficult for Soviet americanists. Like analysis on the separation of powers, amerikanistika on the effects of the two-party system on US foreign policy has produced spirited disagreements. Americanists produce a thorough, detailed analysis of the views of the party leaders in Congress. However, they disagree on how strong a role party affiliation plays in Congress’ actions in the foreign policy field. Amerikanistika on the two-party system again reflects a strong operational understanding of the effects of the factor on US foreign policy combined with a less impressive understanding of the fundamental systemic significance of partisanship.
