"International relations scholar Allison Stanger shows how contractors became an integral part of American foreign policy, often in scandalous ways-but also maintains that contractors aren't the problem; the absence of good government is. Outsourcing done right is, in fact, indispensable to America's interests in the information age. Stanger makes three arguments: 1) The outsourcing of U.S. government activities is far greater than most people realize, has been very poorly managed, and has inadvertently militarized American foreign policy; 2) Despite this mismanagement, public-private partnerships are here to stay, so we had better learn to do them right; and, 3) With improved transparency and accountability, these partnerships can significantly extend the reach and effectiveness of U.S. efforts abroad." Publisher's review

The new world -- The United States of market values -- State power in a privatized world -- The end of statesmanship -- The privatization of defense -- The slow death of USAID -- Laissez-faire homeland security -- A postindustrial foreign policy.