Great Decisions

Great Decisions is America's largest discussion program on world affairs. The name is shared by a national civic-education program, briefing book and television series administered and produced by the Foreign Policy Association.  The Great Decisions program highlights eight of the most thought-provoking foreign policy challenges facing Americans each year. Great Decisions provides background information, current data and policy options for each issue and serves as the focal text for discussion groups.

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PROGRAM NOTES:

Great Decisions 2013 materials are now shipping.

 

The Great Decisions briefing book features impartial, thought-provoking analyses on eight issues of concern to U.S. policymakers today. Each article is written by carefully selected experts, offers questions and tools for discussion, as well as policy options for U.S. officials. 

 

The new season of Great Decisions on PBS presents the eight most critical global issues facing the U.S. in the year ahead in documentary format, and features nearly 100 of the most important figures in international affairs and U.S. foreign policy today.

 

 

 

 

The Great Decisions Winter 2013 Update is a concise resource for discussion groups that want to stay informed about Great Decisions 2013 topics.

 

Not sure how to start a Great Decisions discussion group, or how to run a group once it's set up?

 

The Great Decisions Program Guide has all the information you need to start, lead and promote a Great Decisions discussion group in your community. It also includes guidelines for participants, the most important part of any discussion program. You can download a copy of the Guide, or call our sales department at (800) 477-5836 to request free copies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2012 National Opinion Ballot Report is now available.  Those surveyed expressed strong support for democracy promotion, greater cooperation with Mexico and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

 

Tens of thousands of Americans participate annually in the nation's largest discussion program on international affairs and U.S. foreign policy, where they were polled about their opinions on the eight foreign policy topics covered in the 2012 series.

 

 

 

 


 
FPA will host its seventh WorldQuest New York competition on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, for New York City area high schools. 
 
 
 
 
 
FPA will host its ninth annual Great Decisions Teacher Training Institute this summer in New York City. Details about the Institute program and how to apply will be posted as soon as they are available.
 


The Frank R. Cella Memorial Award was established by the Foreign Policy Association to acknowledge five individual Great Decisions discussion groups each year and share their contributions, example and achievements with the entire Great Decisions network.

 

 

 


Become a fan of Great Decisions on Facebook.  Stay up to date with program updates and news on current Great Decisions topics.

 

 


"In a democracy agreement is not essential, but participation is"

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the topics for Great Decisions 2013?
Where can I find a Great Decisions discussion group in my area?
How can I start my own Great Decisions discussion group?
When can I place an order for Great Decisions 2012 materials?
When does the annual Great Decisions briefing book become available?
What are the prices of Great Decisions materials and what discounts are available?
Who chooses the topics found in the Great Decisions briefing book?
What is the deadline for submitting national opinion ballots?
Where will the Great Decisions Television Series be on the air?
How is the Great Decisions Television Series DVD used in discussion groups?


What are the topics for Great Decisions 2013?
 

The Great Decisions 2013 topics can be found here.
 

 Where can I find a Great Decisions discussion group in my area?


Visit FPA’s online discussion group finder to find a discussion group in your area.  Learn about the group’s meeting schedule and how you can join.

 

How can I start my own Great Decisions discussion group?

 
FPA has created a Program Guide with useful suggestions for starting, promoting and leading a Great Decisions discussion group.  Download the Program Guide and learn more information about starting a group here.
 
What are the topics for Great Decisions 2012?

The Great Decisions 2012 topics can be found here.
 

When can I place an order for Great Decisions 2012 materials?
 

Orders for the Great Decisions 2012 briefing book can be placed online today in our Bookstore.


When does the annual Great Decisions briefing book become available?

 
Great Decisions is published once a year in January. Online updates are published seasonally and are available as a downloadable PDF.
 
If you are planning to start a discussion group, we recommend that you begin in late January or early February. This will allow you to receive the briefing books on time, and provide your participants with adequate time to read the first article before you begin your first session.
 

What are the prices of Great Decisions materials and what discounts are available?
 

The Great Decisions Briefing Book costs $20.00 (plus S&H).  Orders of 10 or more copies receive a discount of 10%.
 
The Great Decisions Television Series on DVD costs $40.00 (plus S&H).  
 
The Great Decisions Teacher’s Guide (Digital Edition) is available with the purchase of either the Teacher's Packet or the Classroom Packet and is delivered as a PDF. Visit the Bookstore for more details.
 

Who chooses the topics found in the Great Decisions briefing book?

 
FPA convenes an Editorial Advisory Committee, which meets each spring to discuss potential topics for the Great Decisions briefing book.  
 
The Committee consists of:
 
Editorial Advisory Committee Chairman 
David B.H. Denoon, Professor of Politics and Economics, New York University 
 
Barbara Crossette, Columnist, UN Wire. Southeast Asia and South Asia specialist
 
Michael Doyle, Harold Brown Professor of International Affairs, Law and Political Science, Columbia University
 
Christine R. Lucas, Development Coordinator for Leadership Florida, Tallahassee
 
Ponchitta A. Pierce, Television Host and Producer, FPA Director 
 
Lawrence G. Potter, Deputy Director of Gulf/2000 Project, Adjunct Associate Professor of International Affairs, Columbia University
 
Thomas G. Weiss, Presidential Professor of Political Science and Director, Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies, The CUNY Graduate Center 
 
Karen M. Rohan, FPA Editor in Chief, ex officio
 

What is the deadline for submitting national opinion ballots?

 
Opinion ballots for each topic can be found in the Great Decisions briefing book and online here.  The opinion ballots should be filled out by participants after they have read and discussed the topics presented in Great Decisions.
 
The ballots are sent to FPA by Discussion Group Leaders, where they are tabulated, analyzed and published in the National Opinion Ballot report.
 
The National Opinion Ballot Report is presented to the White House, members of Congress, the departments of State and Defense, the national media and participants in the Great Decisions Discussion Program. The Report is a valuable way of sharing the informed opinions of citizens with the people who shape U.S. foreign policy.
Opinion ballots must be submitted by July 1st in order to be tabulated for the National Opinion Ballot Report.  
 

Where will the Great Decisions Television Series be on the air? 
 

The Great Decisions Television Series airs on PBS stations across the United States and is also available in HD.  For airing dates and location, visit the Television Series web page.
 

How is the Great Decisions Television Series DVD used in discussion groups?

 
There are three ways that the Great Decisions Television Series on DVD can be used in discussion groups:
 
1. As a primer for the topic discussion
Discussion group leaders, as well as participants, can watch the DVD on their own prior to the session in order to gain a deeper understanding of the issue on the table.
 
2. Use it to kick start the weekly discussion
Viewing the DVD for a few minutes before discussion is a great way to get people focuses on the subject matter ahead.  Each episode features two guests with different opinions.  Ask the group which made a stronger argument.
 
3. Screen the entire episode for your discussion group
Invite members who are interested to attend the pre-discussion screening.  A great chance for those who may not have had time to read the article to get up to speed, pronto!