research and publications
My research interests include American foreign policy, paradiplomacy or constituent diplomacy, international political economy, U.S. state politics, and federalism. I also research issues related to teaching and pedagogy, especially as it relates to active learning in the classroom and write book reviews. I present papers at full information about publications can be found below or on my CV.
My book is my most important scholarly work. Reviews from scholars in the areas of foreign policy, American federalism, and international relations are provided below:
My book is my most important scholarly work. Reviews from scholars in the areas of foreign policy, American federalism, and international relations are provided below:
- "With this well-written book, McMillan fills a gaping hole in the study of US foreign policy. His study of state governments is theoretically informed, data rich, cleanly organized, and comprehensive. I expect that students and practitioners of US foreign policy will find this a valuable resource for many years to come." -- Steven W. Hook, Kent State University
- "McMillan's book is an important contribution to our understanding of US state engagements with international affairs. The book provides updated information, tests useful hypotheses, and offers new and interesting perspectives on states' foreign relations activities." -- John Kincaid, Lafayette College
- "McMillan covers a topic rarely addressed in political science or international relations. This is a very worthwhile project and McMillan has delivered what he promises." -- Earl Fry, Brigham Young University
Recent presentations & Webinars
- 2020. Podcast: “Subnational Governments and Paradiplomacy.” Mexico Centered, Episode 52. Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University. Sept. 25. (with Jorge Schiavon)
- 2020. Webinar: “U.S.-Mexico Government Relations and Diplomacy.” Presentation about The Future of U.S.-Mexico Relations: Strategic Foresight. Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University. Sept. 14. (with Ana Velasco, Jorge Schiavon, and Peter Smith)
Publications
Book
2012. The Involvement of State Governments in U.S. Foreign Relations. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
ISBN: 978-0-230-11325-1 282 pages [DOI]
Publisher's website Amazon.com website Review in Publius: The Journal of Federalism
ISBN: 978-0-230-11325-1 282 pages [DOI]
Publisher's website Amazon.com website Review in Publius: The Journal of Federalism
Book Chapters and Journal articles
Under review. "The International Relations of State Governments in the U.S.-Mexico Relationship: California and Texas as Barometers of Paradiplomacy." In Jorge A. Schiavon & Raul F. de Castro (Eds.), Cali-Tex-Mex: The Mexico-California and Mexico-Texas Relationships. (with Jorge A. Schiavon) [under review by Routledge]
2022. "Barack Obama, Intergovernmental Relations, and Economic Policy: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue." In Michael O. Grossman, Ronald E. Matthews, and Francis Schortgen (Eds.), Achievements and Legacy of the Obama Presidency: “Hope and Change?” (pp. 31-46). New York: Palgrave Macmillan. (with Chad J. Kinsella) [Web] [DOI]
2020. The Future of U.S.-Mexico Relations: The Role of Sub-State Governments. In Tony Payan, Alfonso López de la Osa Escribano, and Jesús Valasco (Eds.), The Future of U.S.-Mexico Relations: Strategic Foresight (pp. 67-92). Houston: Arte Publico Press. (with Jorge A. Schiavon). [Web]
2018. The Foreign Relations of Subnational Governments. In Cameron Thies (Ed.), The Encyclopedia of Foreign Policy Analysis (pp. 714-730). New York: Oxford UniversityPress. [DOI] [Web] [online in 2017]
2015. "The Globalization of Spartanburg: A Story of Local Leader and State Supporters." Journal of Political Science. Vol. 43, pp. 71-96.
2014. "How Governors Shaped the Presidency and Intergovernmental Relations." The Mid-South Political Science Review. Vol. 15, Issue 2. pp. 103-112. [Web]
[peer-reviewed essay and double book review of How Governors Built the Modern American Presidency and Governing the States and the Nation: The Intergovernmental Policy Influence of the National Governors Association.]
2014. "Bravo for Brevity: Using Short Paper Assignments in International Relations Classes." International Studies Perspectives. Vol. 15, Issue 1. pp. 109-120. [DOI] [Link to full-text article] NOTE: This article was first published online in May 2013.
2009. "Looking Beyond the National Level: Foreign Investment Attraction in U.S. States." International Interactions. Vol. 35, Issue 2. pp. 155-178. [DOI] [Link to full-text article]
Data sources: [MS Word file] Data: [MS Excel file]
2008. "Subnational Foreign Policy Actors: How and Why Governors Participate in U.S. Foreign Policy." Foreign Policy Analysis. Vol. 4, Issue 3. pp. 227-253. [DOI] [Link to full-text article]
2022. "Barack Obama, Intergovernmental Relations, and Economic Policy: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue." In Michael O. Grossman, Ronald E. Matthews, and Francis Schortgen (Eds.), Achievements and Legacy of the Obama Presidency: “Hope and Change?” (pp. 31-46). New York: Palgrave Macmillan. (with Chad J. Kinsella) [Web] [DOI]
2020. The Future of U.S.-Mexico Relations: The Role of Sub-State Governments. In Tony Payan, Alfonso López de la Osa Escribano, and Jesús Valasco (Eds.), The Future of U.S.-Mexico Relations: Strategic Foresight (pp. 67-92). Houston: Arte Publico Press. (with Jorge A. Schiavon). [Web]
2018. The Foreign Relations of Subnational Governments. In Cameron Thies (Ed.), The Encyclopedia of Foreign Policy Analysis (pp. 714-730). New York: Oxford UniversityPress. [DOI] [Web] [online in 2017]
2015. "The Globalization of Spartanburg: A Story of Local Leader and State Supporters." Journal of Political Science. Vol. 43, pp. 71-96.
2014. "How Governors Shaped the Presidency and Intergovernmental Relations." The Mid-South Political Science Review. Vol. 15, Issue 2. pp. 103-112. [Web]
[peer-reviewed essay and double book review of How Governors Built the Modern American Presidency and Governing the States and the Nation: The Intergovernmental Policy Influence of the National Governors Association.]
2014. "Bravo for Brevity: Using Short Paper Assignments in International Relations Classes." International Studies Perspectives. Vol. 15, Issue 1. pp. 109-120. [DOI] [Link to full-text article] NOTE: This article was first published online in May 2013.
2009. "Looking Beyond the National Level: Foreign Investment Attraction in U.S. States." International Interactions. Vol. 35, Issue 2. pp. 155-178. [DOI] [Link to full-text article]
Data sources: [MS Word file] Data: [MS Excel file]
2008. "Subnational Foreign Policy Actors: How and Why Governors Participate in U.S. Foreign Policy." Foreign Policy Analysis. Vol. 4, Issue 3. pp. 227-253. [DOI] [Link to full-text article]
Funded Grants
2020-2021. Author of proposal, Coordinator of Lander University’s 4 programs in the S.C. Humanities Electoral Initiative.
Alice Taylor-Colbert, Project Director. Funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation via Federation of State Humanities Councils.
2020-2021. Primary Consultant for Race and Identity Dialogue. Alexis Carter Thomas, Project Director. Funded by S.C. Humanities (funds from National Endowment for the Humanities [NEH]).
2020. Author and Project Director of Race and Identity Dialogue. Funded by The Self Family Foundation.
2018-2019. Author and Project Director of "Time of Tradition and Transition: A Symposium on the South and World War I." Funded by S.C. Humanities (funds from the NEH). [Web]
2018-2019. Co-author with Ashley Woodiwiss and Assistant Project Director of "Achieving the Promise: Democracy and the Informed Citizen." Funded by S.C. Humanities (funds from the NEH). [Web]
Alice Taylor-Colbert, Project Director. Funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation via Federation of State Humanities Councils.
2020-2021. Primary Consultant for Race and Identity Dialogue. Alexis Carter Thomas, Project Director. Funded by S.C. Humanities (funds from National Endowment for the Humanities [NEH]).
2020. Author and Project Director of Race and Identity Dialogue. Funded by The Self Family Foundation.
2018-2019. Author and Project Director of "Time of Tradition and Transition: A Symposium on the South and World War I." Funded by S.C. Humanities (funds from the NEH). [Web]
2018-2019. Co-author with Ashley Woodiwiss and Assistant Project Director of "Achieving the Promise: Democracy and the Informed Citizen." Funded by S.C. Humanities (funds from the NEH). [Web]
Encyclopedia Essay
2018. "Foreign Affairs and Federalism." In Federalism in America: An Encyclopedia. Troy E. Smith, ed. Easton, PA: Center for the Study of Federalism. [Web]
Book Reviews and Book Review Notes
2021. “Review note of A Research Agenda for Federalism Studies, edited by John Kincaid.” Choice Reviews Online. February. Vol. 58, No. 6.
2018. Review note of Building Militaries in Fragile States: Challenges for the United States by Mara E. Karlin. Choice Reviews Online. August. Vol. 55, No. 12.
2016. "Review note of European Union Enlargement: Material Interests, Community Norms, and Anomie by Thomas Mehlhausen." Choice Reviews Online. July. Vol. 53, No. 11.
2016. "Review note of Democracy Promotion and Foreign Policy: Identity and Interest in the US, EU, and Non-Western Democracies by Daniela Huber." Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries. January. Vol. 53, No. 5. [Web]
2015. "Review note of Ethics and Integrity in British Politics: How Citizens Judge Their Politicians' Conduct and Why it Matters by Nicholas Allen and Sarah Birch." Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries. November. Vol. 53, No. 3. [Web]
2015. "Review note of Churchill and de Gaulle: The Geopolitics of Liberty by Will Morrisey." Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries. May. Vol. 52, No. 9. [Web]
2015. "Review note of Power-Sharing Executives: Governing in Bosnia, Macedonia, and Northern Ireland by Joanne McEvoy." Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries. May. Vol. 52, No. 9. [Web]
2015. "Review note of British General Elections Since 1964: Diversity, Dealignment, and Disillusion by David Danver and Mark Garnett." Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries. February. Vol. 52, No. 6. [Web]
2012. "Review of Perspectives on International Relations: Power, Institutions, and Ideas by Henry R. Nau." Journal of Political Science Education. Vol. 8, Issue 3. pp. 303-304. [DOI] [Link to full-text article]
2018. Review note of Building Militaries in Fragile States: Challenges for the United States by Mara E. Karlin. Choice Reviews Online. August. Vol. 55, No. 12.
2016. "Review note of European Union Enlargement: Material Interests, Community Norms, and Anomie by Thomas Mehlhausen." Choice Reviews Online. July. Vol. 53, No. 11.
2016. "Review note of Democracy Promotion and Foreign Policy: Identity and Interest in the US, EU, and Non-Western Democracies by Daniela Huber." Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries. January. Vol. 53, No. 5. [Web]
2015. "Review note of Ethics and Integrity in British Politics: How Citizens Judge Their Politicians' Conduct and Why it Matters by Nicholas Allen and Sarah Birch." Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries. November. Vol. 53, No. 3. [Web]
2015. "Review note of Churchill and de Gaulle: The Geopolitics of Liberty by Will Morrisey." Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries. May. Vol. 52, No. 9. [Web]
2015. "Review note of Power-Sharing Executives: Governing in Bosnia, Macedonia, and Northern Ireland by Joanne McEvoy." Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries. May. Vol. 52, No. 9. [Web]
2015. "Review note of British General Elections Since 1964: Diversity, Dealignment, and Disillusion by David Danver and Mark Garnett." Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries. February. Vol. 52, No. 6. [Web]
2012. "Review of Perspectives on International Relations: Power, Institutions, and Ideas by Henry R. Nau." Journal of Political Science Education. Vol. 8, Issue 3. pp. 303-304. [DOI] [Link to full-text article]
Instructor's manualS
2016. Instructor's Manual for World Politics: Trend and Transformation by Charles W. Kegley, Jr. and Shannon L. Blanton. 16th ed. Boston: Cengage.
2014. Instructor's Manual for World Politics: Trend and Transformation by Charles W. Kegley, Jr. and Shannon L. Blanton. 15th ed. Boston: Cengage.
2014. Instructor's Manual for World Politics: Trend and Transformation by Charles W. Kegley, Jr. and Shannon L. Blanton. 15th ed. Boston: Cengage.
Teaching-Oriented Essays
2014. "Creating Connections Between Disciplines: What Paintings Can Teach Students About Politics." Faculty Focus. Sept. 5. [Web]
2014. "Dressing Up Our Students: Reasons Why Faculty Should Encourage Professional Attire in Undergraduates." The Political Science Educator (newsletter of APSA's Political Science Education section). Vol. 18, Issue 2. pp. 7-8. [file]
2014. "Dressing Up Our Students." White Board: Newsletter of Lander University's Center for Effective Undergraduate Teaching. Vol. 6, Issue 2. p. 1. [file]
2011. "Encouraging Students to Consider Multiple Perspectives: Our Experiences with Sharing Lectures." White Board: Newsletter of Lander University's Center for Effective Undergraduate Teaching. Vol. 3, Issue 10. p. 1. (with Alan M. Green) [Web]
2010. "Short Paper Assignments are Valuable for Students and Faculty." White Board: Newsletter of Lander University's Center for Effective Undergraduate Teaching. Vol. 2, Issue 2. p. 2. [Web]
2014. "Dressing Up Our Students: Reasons Why Faculty Should Encourage Professional Attire in Undergraduates." The Political Science Educator (newsletter of APSA's Political Science Education section). Vol. 18, Issue 2. pp. 7-8. [file]
2014. "Dressing Up Our Students." White Board: Newsletter of Lander University's Center for Effective Undergraduate Teaching. Vol. 6, Issue 2. p. 1. [file]
2011. "Encouraging Students to Consider Multiple Perspectives: Our Experiences with Sharing Lectures." White Board: Newsletter of Lander University's Center for Effective Undergraduate Teaching. Vol. 3, Issue 10. p. 1. (with Alan M. Green) [Web]
2010. "Short Paper Assignments are Valuable for Students and Faculty." White Board: Newsletter of Lander University's Center for Effective Undergraduate Teaching. Vol. 2, Issue 2. p. 2. [Web]
Op-Ed Essays & Policy-Oriented Pieces
2017. "Mays events help us study our history and heroes." Index-Journal (Greenwood, SC). Nov. 27. p. 6A. [file]
2016. "Haley should be considered for Commerce, not Secretary of State." The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC). Nov. 18. p. 10A. [Web]
2015. "Remembering Memorial Day and victory in Europe." Index-Journal (Greenwood, SC). May 27. p. 10A. [file]
2014. "We all need to join S.C. bishops in supporting public education." The State (Columbia, SC). June 5. p. A9. [file]
2013. "America's Governors Matter for U.S.-Asia Relations." The Diplomat (policy magazine based in Tokyo, Japan). June 26. [Web]
2012. "Improve political rhetoric at home." The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). Aug. 18. p. 10A. [file]
Reprinted under the same title in the Index-Journal (Greenwood, SC). Aug. 31. p. 8A.
2011. "Governors must sell S.C. abroad." The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC). Sept. 14. p. 10A. [file]
2009. "Spending on foreign investment, education pays off." The State (Columbia, SC). Jan. 15. p. A9. [file]
2008. "Next president needs a bipartisan cabinet." The Augusta Chronicle (Augusta, GA). Aug. 2. p. 9A. [file]
2007. "McNair held build state's global connections." The State (Columbia, SC). Nov. 20. p. A9. (with Phillip Stone) [file]
2007. "International offices help enhance a state's economy." The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). May 2. p. 2B. [file]
2006. "Iraq War: Real solutions, sacrifices need to be shared." The Sun News (Myrtle Beach, SC). Nov. 28.
Reprinted under the title"Changing war strategy at home and abroad." The State (Columbia, SC). Dec. 5. p. A9. [file]
2005. "Letter to the Editor: Call for action on Darfur." The New York Times (New York, NY). May 7. [Web]
2003. "Graham's breaks with White House good for S.C." The State (Columbia, SC). Oct. 4. p. A9.
2003. "Getting engaged on the international scene." Marion Star & Mullins Enterprise (Marion, SC). Apr. 7.
Reprinted in Southern Seen, a column by Larry McGehee distributed to 100+ newspapers, on April 17. [file]
2003. "Mission impossible?" Marion Star & Mullins Enterprise (Marion, SC). Mar. 5. [file]
2002. "Global understanding starts with a change in U.S. foreign policy." Marion Star & Mullins Enterprise (Marion, SC). Dec. 4. [file]
2002. "President's adviser's need freedom from testimony." The State (Columbia, SC). Apr. 6. p. A11. [file]
2016. "Haley should be considered for Commerce, not Secretary of State." The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC). Nov. 18. p. 10A. [Web]
2015. "Remembering Memorial Day and victory in Europe." Index-Journal (Greenwood, SC). May 27. p. 10A. [file]
2014. "We all need to join S.C. bishops in supporting public education." The State (Columbia, SC). June 5. p. A9. [file]
2013. "America's Governors Matter for U.S.-Asia Relations." The Diplomat (policy magazine based in Tokyo, Japan). June 26. [Web]
2012. "Improve political rhetoric at home." The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). Aug. 18. p. 10A. [file]
Reprinted under the same title in the Index-Journal (Greenwood, SC). Aug. 31. p. 8A.
2011. "Governors must sell S.C. abroad." The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC). Sept. 14. p. 10A. [file]
2009. "Spending on foreign investment, education pays off." The State (Columbia, SC). Jan. 15. p. A9. [file]
2008. "Next president needs a bipartisan cabinet." The Augusta Chronicle (Augusta, GA). Aug. 2. p. 9A. [file]
2007. "McNair held build state's global connections." The State (Columbia, SC). Nov. 20. p. A9. (with Phillip Stone) [file]
2007. "International offices help enhance a state's economy." The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). May 2. p. 2B. [file]
2006. "Iraq War: Real solutions, sacrifices need to be shared." The Sun News (Myrtle Beach, SC). Nov. 28.
Reprinted under the title"Changing war strategy at home and abroad." The State (Columbia, SC). Dec. 5. p. A9. [file]
2005. "Letter to the Editor: Call for action on Darfur." The New York Times (New York, NY). May 7. [Web]
2003. "Graham's breaks with White House good for S.C." The State (Columbia, SC). Oct. 4. p. A9.
2003. "Getting engaged on the international scene." Marion Star & Mullins Enterprise (Marion, SC). Apr. 7.
Reprinted in Southern Seen, a column by Larry McGehee distributed to 100+ newspapers, on April 17. [file]
2003. "Mission impossible?" Marion Star & Mullins Enterprise (Marion, SC). Mar. 5. [file]
2002. "Global understanding starts with a change in U.S. foreign policy." Marion Star & Mullins Enterprise (Marion, SC). Dec. 4. [file]
2002. "President's adviser's need freedom from testimony." The State (Columbia, SC). Apr. 6. p. A11. [file]
Working Papers in an online series
2006. "U.S. States in U.S.-E.U. Relations: Transatlantic Communities in an Age of Multi-Level Governance." PAIS Graduate Working Papers. No. 01/06. Critical International and Political Studies, Department of Politics and International Studies, University of Warwick. September. [Web]