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Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy. Definitions. Foreign Policy is the goals the US wants to achieve in the world, along with the techniques and strategies used to achieve these goals.

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Foreign Policy

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  1. Foreign Policy

  2. Definitions • Foreign Policy is the goals the US wants to achieve in the world, along with the techniques and strategies used to achieve these goals. • E.g. If we want stability in the Middle East, we may use diplomacy, economic aid, technical assistance, and military intervention.

  3. National Security Policy • This is a main goal of foreign policy. • The National Security Council acts as an advisory body to the president • The State Department is responsible for our foreign diplomatic core and policy. • Defense policy is part of national security policy, and the president relies on the Department of Defense for this policy.

  4. Moral Idealism • This is a foreign policy based on moral considerations. It projects the US as a nation that helps other nations, and spreads American good will • E.g Woodrow Wilson’s League of Nations • JFK’s Peace Corps • Jimmy Carter’s emphasis on Human Rights

  5. Political Realism • This is foreign policy sees the world as a dangerous place, and the US must defend itself. • The Truman Doctrine sought to contain the spread of communism • The current policy after 9/11 is designed to defeat terrorism

  6. Mixture of goals • Most US foreign policy contains a mixture of moral idealism and political realism. • For example, George W. Bush’s policy is Iraq was explained as ending the evil Saddam regime, that oppressed the Iraqi people. • In addition, he stressed overthrowing Saddam as a way to end an “imminent” Iraqi threat against the US, due to weapons of mass destruction.

  7. Powers of Congress in Foreign Policy • Congress has power to declare wars (Article 1 section 8) • It has declared war five times in our history: War of 1812, Mexican-American War 1846, Spanish American War1898 , WW 1 1917, and WW 2 1941) • War Powers Act passed in 1973 - President must report to Congress after sending troops. Needs Congressional approval after 60 days.

  8. Congressional control continued: • Congress (the Senate) ratifies treaties • Congress controls monies for foreign policy (eg. Dept. of State and Defense) Through appropriation bills. • The Congress also must confirm key foreign policy appointments of President, such as the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense.

  9. Presidential Power in Foreign Policy • Congress declares war, but the President is deemed Commander and Chief of the Armed forces in Article II of the Constitution • The President can send troops into battle for 60 days without Congressional approval (War Powers Act)

  10. The Senate must confirm treaties, but the President may sign Executive Agreements with other countries without congressional approval. (95% of modern agreements are Executive Agreements, not treaties) • President has informal powers in foreign policy including the “bully pulpit” used to persuade the American public.

  11. Presidential Powers • The Executive Branch has four important foreign policy making groups: Department of State, The National Security Council, the CIA, and the Department of Defense. • President has access to top secret information daily, and therefore is considered to be more “expert” than the Congress on crucial foreign policy decisions.

  12. Critiques of Foreign Policy • Some critics argue that the President has become too powerful in carrying out foreign policy, without Congressional approval (“The Imperial Presidency) • What do you think?

  13. Internationalism v. Isolationism • The American public has both of these tendencies. • For example, in the isolationism of the 30’s was shattered by Pearl Harbor in 1941. Or the The Cold War and the policy of containment kept the US active in international affairs.

  14. Unilateral vs. Multilateral • Unilateral means a nation acts without partners, on its own. • Multilateral means a nation works in partnership with others • E.g.United Nations (UN)

  15. Nuclear Proliferation • The build up of nuclear arsenals during the Cold War, was primarily between the US and the Soviet Union.Since the fall of the Soviet Union, there has been the spread of nuclear capability. • E.g China, Israel, Pakistan, and India have the bomb. Iran is able to enrich uranium and North Korea has said it has nuclear capability. • Clinton’s Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was not ratified by Congress in 1999.

  16. China • China is an emerging world power, with a fast growing private economy. • Nixon opened diplomatic relations with communist China. • Normal trade relations were established between China and the US and China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) • China has come under criticism for human rights abuses against its citizens and Tibetans.

  17. Debate over Afghanistan • Current US policy is focused on withdrawing all US troops by 2014 • Majority of Americans want to withdraw from sooner. • Obama’s Afghan policy focuses on training Afghan forces to resist Al Qaeda and Taliban • What do you think?

  18. President Obama’s Foreign Policy • What aspects of President Obama’s foreign policy would you say represents moral idealism and political realism? • Which aspects of President Obama’s foreign policy do you agree with, and which aspects do you disagree with?

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