A critical review of literature focusing on some theoretical and methodological issues that have been generally neglected in past studies of the press's role in the making of United States foreign policy reveals that some external and internal factors may limit the capability and initiative of the press in the foreign policy area. These constraints include the following: (1) presidential control of foreign policy initiative, (2) reliance of the press on governmental information, (3) secrecy in foreign policy making, and (4) indifference of the general public to foreign policy issues. These constraints seem to make the press unable to compete effectively and successfully with policy makers in the formulation of foreign policy. One conclusion that can be drawn from the literature is that, theoretically, in the foreign policy making process, the press may be rather passive and dependent, not active and independent as is generally assumed. In addition, the review indicates the inadequacy of methods used in past studies of the press-policy maker relationship. (FL)