"This book traces relations between the United States and Panama from 1903 to 1978, focusing especially on the Panama Canal dispute from its origin until ratification of the historic Carter-Torrijos treaties. The authors' analysis emphasizes the extent to which the domestic politics of each country influence decisions about foreign policy and about the canal treaty negotiations, and how these decisions about foreign policy and about the canal treaty negotiations, and how these decisions in turn affected internal political circumstances. Beyond its overall assessment of issues historically important in relations between the United States and Panama, the book covers a wide range of topics: Panama's political system, its domestic yet interdependent relationship between canal-zone residents and other Panamanians; details of the Panama-U.S. canal dispute, the lengthy negotiating process, and the negotiating strategies in the U.S. Senate; and the likely impact of the treaty on future U.S.- Panama relations. The book is based on interviews with key figures in both countries and on extensive review of articles, government documents, and FBIS reports." -- Publisher description.