Presidents and Foreign Policy and National Security

1. Presidents and Foreign Policy and National Security By the Constitution: Has specific powers that make the office important for foreign policy and national security But also has to share responsibility for foreign policy with Congress

2. Foreign Policy Politically: Has to convince the public to support policies, given not only shared powers with Congress but also the risks of foreign policy and the nation’s history of sporadic isolation. Has to deal with the foreign policy bureaucracy.

3. Foreign Policy Formal Powers: Chief Executive: Is the administrative head of the foreign policy bureaucracy, including most importantly the State Defense, Commerce Departments, and the intelligence agencies (CIA, FBI, National Security Agency)

4. Foreign Policy This entails: Day to day implementation of foreign policies and the maintenance of foreign relations. The development and use of expertise, information, analytic resources, and the deployment of information-gathering services.

5. Foreign Policy Head of State: Acts as the ceremonial and political representative of the US in the international arena, and deploys the symbols of the US Has direct contact with other heads of state, and often with heads of government and foreign ministers.

6. Foreign Policy Commander in Chief: Controls the deployment of the military, makes military appointments Controls the process by which military strategy is created, particularly with regard to its relationship with foreign policy objectives.

7. Foreign Policy Negotiator of Treaties: Initiates, negotiates, and agrees to formal treaties, or refuses to do so. As such has most control over the substance of formal agreements. Negotiates and agrees to Executive Agreements: government to government agreements that do not require Congressional approval.

8. Foreign Policy Nominator of Ambassadors and other Foreign Policy Players: With Congress controls who had day to day responsibility for contact with foreign governments With Congress controls who has day to day responsibility for formulating and implementing general and particular policies. Recognizer of Foreign Governments: With Congress decides whether to establish or sever formal relations with foreign governments.

9. Foreign Policy Informal Powers: Shaper of Public Opinion: Through announcements, speeches, press conferences can create popular support that serves as the legitimizing foundations for foreign policies. Can do the same with actions, both substantive and symbolic: appearances, visits abroad, participation in ceremonies, application of sanctions

10. Foreign Policy Useful in creating the appearance of a unified country—stifles criticism-- and in putting pressure on Congress.

11. Foreign Policy Personal Diplomacy Ability to meet foreign leaders or other important figures both as a representative of the US and as a person with particular attributes (charisma, friendship, similar political views). Uniquely combines power, authority of office, and decision making capabilities with individuality.

12. Foreign Policy Creates Foreign Policy Doctrines and Philosophy Is in a unique position through influence on public opinion, personal diplomacy, and constitutional powers to give direction and purpose to foreign policy.

13. Foreign Policy Presidential Styles: Given this analysis of presidential power, the literature on presidential styles of political and managerial engagement has special application to foreign policy. An important analysis is by Alexander George, in which he breaks down presidential style into three components, which can then be recombined to indicate general styles:

14. Foreign Policy ·Cognitive style: how a president processes information, gets information, and defines a need for information: Minimalist: Reagan; Maximalist: Nixon, Carter, Clinton ·Sense of Efficacy and Competence: how confident does a president feel in himself and his decision-making capacity? Comfortable with self and others: Bush, Clinton, Reagan. Uncomfortable: Nixon

15. Foreign Policy ·Conflict: How much conflict and debate is a president comfortable with? Does he allow and encourage debate, or does he want debate to be held at lower levels, and have recommendations brought to him for decision? Conflict and debate averse: Nixon, Johnson, and Reagan. Conflict and debate promoters: Kennedy, Bush, and Clinton.

16. Foreign Policy These elements lead to decision-making styles: Competitive: Allow free, open debate and analysis with lots of people participating and the exploration of all possibilities. Multiple channels of communication with president, with president encouraging conflict and competition and keeping the reigns of power firmly in his hands. Roosevelt, Johnson, Bush.

17. Foreign Policy Advantages: allows for a wide range of options to be explored. Disadvantages: can lead to chaos

18. Foreign Policy Formalistic: develop policies by processing information and proposals through a hierarchy, and with conflicts resolved at lower levels: Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon, Reagan. Advantages: orderly, rational process. Disadvantage: can lead to the disengagement of president either intellectually or personally.

19. Foreign Policy Collegial: Bring together diverse people as a team to explore and create policies. Encourages multiple points of view, but not conflict. Kennedy, Carter, Bush, Clinton. Advantages: can lead to greater cohesiveness in foreign policy. Disadvantage: can also lead to a team distanced from the rest of the administration.