Great Decisions

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

 


Find or start a group in your area

 

 

PROGRAM NOTES:


The Winter 2012 Update is now available for download. Great Decisions Updates are issued seasonally and provide groups with the latest news and analysis on topics. 
 

FPA hosted its sixth WorldQuest New York competition on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 for New York City area high schools.  Find out how the results of the 2011 competition. 
 
 


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

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?
Where can I find a Great Decisions discussion group in my area?
How can I start my own Great Decisions discussion group?
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 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.
 

 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.
 

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!