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Abstract
This dissertation builds on the literature of "The Uses of History by Decision-Makers". It maintains that foreign policy-makers are influenced by ideas, which are generated with recourse to History, and disseminated through influential publications---one of the most influential of which is the US Council for Foreign Relations' journal, Foreign Affairs. It argues that the historical references in this journal, in terms of their scope and temporal origin, are a key input for US foreign policy-makers decisions. Where the choice of historical references can be criticized for being clichéd, biased or epistemologically flawed---as is the case in Foreign Affairs ---a corresponding negative impact on US foreign policy can be inferred. Furthermore, analysis of the choice of historical references in this journal supports the idea that a "Gravity model" rather than a "Generational model" may better predict the impact, durability and perceived relevance of historical events and individuals.
