Richard J. Samuels is Ford International Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for International Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is also Chairman of the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission and founding director of the MIT Japan Program. He is author of several award-winning books, including Machiavelli's Children: Leaders and Their Legacies in Italy and Japan and'Rich Nation, Strong Army': National Security and the Technological Transformation of Japan, also from Cornell.

"Richard Samuels clarifies the international and domestic factors that are shaping the options and choices facing Tokyo and the implications that an emerging strategic consensus in Japan carries for the U.S. alliance and relations in East Asia. Samuels shows how international constraints and domestic politics have been interacting since the late 19th century, filtering and framing security policy choices. He argues that through all the fluctuations—and Samuels is a very astute guide through these zigs and zags"The search for prestige and autonomy have been the constants. He concludes that they are now within Japan's grasp."—Jeff Kingston, Nov. 18, 2007, The Japan Times

Richard J. Samuels is Ford International Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for International Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is also Chairman of the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission and founding director of the MIT Japan Program. He is author of several award-winning books, including Machiavelli's Children: Leaders and Their Legacies in Italy and Japan and'Rich Nation, Strong Army': National Security and the Technological Transformation of Japan, also from Cornell.

"Richard Samuels clarifies the international and domestic factors that are shaping the options and choices facing Tokyo and the implications that an emerging strategic consensus in Japan carries for the U.S. alliance and relations in East Asia. Samuels shows how international constraints and domestic politics have been interacting since the late 19th century, filtering and framing security policy choices. He argues that through all the fluctuations—and Samuels is a very astute guide through these zigs and zags"The search for prestige and autonomy have been the constants. He concludes that they are now within Japan's grasp."—Jeff Kingston, Nov. 18, 2007, The Japan Times