Conclusion

Abstract

The three case studies have demonstrated that an ethnic interest group may indeed influence foreign policy–making in the United States under certain conditions. This concluding chapter discusses those conditions and reflects on the applicability of the analytical framework created and used in this book to other cases in and outside the United States. We will see that, given certain adjustments, the framework is well-suited for further research on the issue. The chapter closes with normative reflections. One major goal of this study was to counter the polemics in the debate over ethnic interest groups through academic findings on the subject, which required the research process to be as objective as possible. However, it would be incomplete without briefly discussing the question at the heart of the normative debate, that is, whether influence by ethnic interest groups is good or bad.