American Foreign PolicyAmerican Foreign Policy

Historical and Contemporary PerspectiveHistorical and Contemporary Perspective

What is Foreign Policy?What is Foreign Policy?

A country’s official positions, practices, and procedures A country’s official positions, practices, and procedures for dealing with actors outside its borders.for dealing with actors outside its borders.

Determined by “national-interest”—national security, Determined by “national-interest”—national security, economic interests. economic interests.

Also influenced by values of society where there is no Also influenced by values of society where there is no direct national interest. (e.g., humanitarian interventiondirect national interest. (e.g., humanitarian intervention—e.g., Kosovo, Somalia) —e.g., Kosovo, Somalia)

Foreign policy formulation, particularly humanitarian Foreign policy formulation, particularly humanitarian intervention, is difficult. Risk dangerous foreign intervention, is difficult. Risk dangerous foreign entanglements, and similarly, the criticism of inaction.entanglements, and similarly, the criticism of inaction.

External ActorsExternal Actors

Foreign policy actions directed towards external actors.Foreign policy actions directed towards external actors. Can be divided into four categories:Can be divided into four categories:

IGO’s—U.N., NATO, OPEC, OAS. First IGO was “Congress IGO’s—U.N., NATO, OPEC, OAS. First IGO was “Congress of Europe.” Evolved into the now defunct League of Nations of Europe.” Evolved into the now defunct League of Nations and the U.N. Grown exponentially since turn of the century. and the U.N. Grown exponentially since turn of the century. (37 in 1909; 132 in 1956; and 293 in 1990) (37 in 1909; 132 in 1956; and 293 in 1990)

NGO’s—Amnesty International, Greenpeace. Have also NGO’s—Amnesty International, Greenpeace. Have also proliferated in last half century. proliferated in last half century.

MNC’s—Have greatly expanded. So too, has their influence. MNC’s—Have greatly expanded. So too, has their influence. Miscellaneous Actors: Hamas, Islamic Jihad and IRA.Miscellaneous Actors: Hamas, Islamic Jihad and IRA.

Who Makes Foreign Policy?Who Makes Foreign Policy?

The President—sets foreign policy through informal The President—sets foreign policy through informal powers.powers. Substantial opportunity to communicate with public.Substantial opportunity to communicate with public. Shapes the direction of interests of foreign policy.Shapes the direction of interests of foreign policy.

The Executive BranchThe Executive Branch President atop a pyramid of executive agencies and President atop a pyramid of executive agencies and

departments. departments. NSC—Group of foreign policy advisers. NSC—Group of foreign policy advisers. State Department—Manages foreign affairs. First department State Department—Manages foreign affairs. First department

established.established. DOD—Manage American soldiers and their equipmentDOD—Manage American soldiers and their equipment Intelligence CommunityIntelligence Community

Who Makes Foreign Policy (Cont’d)Who Makes Foreign Policy (Cont’d)

Presidential Authority in Foreign PolicyPresidential Authority in Foreign Policy Constitutional Powers: Chief of state, Chief executive, Constitutional Powers: Chief of state, Chief executive,

Commander-in-chief, Chief diplomat, Chief legislator.Commander-in-chief, Chief diplomat, Chief legislator.

What does this mean?What does this mean? Exercise substantial powers in directing foreign policy through Exercise substantial powers in directing foreign policy through

several avenues:several avenues: Commander-in-chief of U.S. military—can mobilize troops.Commander-in-chief of U.S. military—can mobilize troops. Chief diplomat—Most prominent representative of America and its Chief diplomat—Most prominent representative of America and its

values and interests.values and interests. Chief legislator—Signs laws. Chief legislator—Signs laws.

Fears of “Imperial Presidency” have led to reductions in Fears of “Imperial Presidency” have led to reductions in presidential authority.presidential authority.

Who Makes Foreign Policy (Cont’d)Who Makes Foreign Policy (Cont’d)

Congress—Also constitutionally delegated powers in foreign affairs.Congress—Also constitutionally delegated powers in foreign affairs. Ratify treaties, declare war, appropriate funds.Ratify treaties, declare war, appropriate funds. Concern with domestic affairs rather than international affairs &Concern with domestic affairs rather than international affairs & Congressional organization (or disorganization) can hamper role in foreign Congressional organization (or disorganization) can hamper role in foreign

policypolicy These factors lead to a rather passive role in foreign policy due to the “fast-These factors lead to a rather passive role in foreign policy due to the “fast-

moving” nature of foreign policy.moving” nature of foreign policy. Delegation of powers to both Congress and Executive establishes checks Delegation of powers to both Congress and Executive establishes checks

and balances.and balances. Constitutional principle of C&B ideally eliminates monopolization of power by Constitutional principle of C&B ideally eliminates monopolization of power by

one branch.one branch. Examples: President is C in C, but Congress must declare war and Examples: President is C in C, but Congress must declare war and

appropriate funds; President chief diplomat, but Congress must ratify treaties.appropriate funds; President chief diplomat, but Congress must ratify treaties. President can subvert these restraints:President can subvert these restraints:

Introduce troops without declaring war. Have not declared war since WWII. Introduce troops without declaring war. Have not declared war since WWII. Bypassing Congress has become increasingly popular since Korean War Bypassing Congress has become increasingly popular since Korean War

(Vietnam, Lebanon, Panama, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan)(Vietnam, Lebanon, Panama, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan)

Restraints on Presidential PowerRestraints on Presidential Power

War Powers Act (1973)—Passed to limit presidential authority to War Powers Act (1973)—Passed to limit presidential authority to commit troops overseas.commit troops overseas. In response to the growing unpopularity of the Vietnam War.In response to the growing unpopularity of the Vietnam War. Passed over President Nixon’s veto.Passed over President Nixon’s veto.

Three provisions:Three provisions: President must inform Congress of the introduction of forces into President must inform Congress of the introduction of forces into

hostilities or situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is hostilities or situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances.clearly indicated by the circumstances.

Troop commitments by the president cannot extend past sixty days Troop commitments by the president cannot extend past sixty days without specific congressional authorization.without specific congressional authorization.

Any time American forces become engaged without declaration of Any time American forces become engaged without declaration of war, Congress can direct the president to disengage such troops by war, Congress can direct the president to disengage such troops by concurrent resolution of the two houses.concurrent resolution of the two houses.

Restraints on Presidential Power Restraints on Presidential Power (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

President has been able to avert restrictions of WPA by President has been able to avert restrictions of WPA by exploiting loopholes.exploiting loopholes. Avoids reporting to Congress, thereby never triggering the 60 Avoids reporting to Congress, thereby never triggering the 60

day clock. day clock. Legal semantics: “Consistent but not pursuant to WPA”. Legal semantics: “Consistent but not pursuant to WPA”.

Allows considerable latitude for president. (e.g., Afghanistan)Allows considerable latitude for president. (e.g., Afghanistan) Despite apparent contravention of WPA, little judicial Despite apparent contravention of WPA, little judicial

intervention. Often labeled “political questions.”intervention. Often labeled “political questions.”

Instruments of Foreign PolicyInstruments of Foreign Policy

Political InstrumentsPolitical Instruments Include Propaganda—intended to shape the views of a foreign Include Propaganda—intended to shape the views of a foreign

audience. Examples from the audience. Examples from the war on terrorism.war on terrorism. Information with a Information with a purposepurpose

Disbanded Office of Strategic InformationDisbanded Office of Strategic Information VOAVOA Al Manar—Hizbollah controlled TV stationAl Manar—Hizbollah controlled TV station

Diplomacy—formal communication between countries. Primary Diplomacy—formal communication between countries. Primary responsibility lies with State Department. Extremely tricky. Evident in responsibility lies with State Department. Extremely tricky. Evident in schism in approach to war on terrorism between “hawks”(Paul schism in approach to war on terrorism between “hawks”(Paul Wolfowitz, Douglas Feith) and “doves” (Colin Powell).Wolfowitz, Douglas Feith) and “doves” (Colin Powell).

Can be multilateral (current negotiations with North Korea) or bilateral Can be multilateral (current negotiations with North Korea) or bilateral (past dealings with North Korea in 1994)(past dealings with North Korea in 1994)

Covert Ops—U.S. is primary mover, although it does not appear to be Covert Ops—U.S. is primary mover, although it does not appear to be involved at all.involved at all.

Especially popular during Cold War—overthrow Mosaddeq in 1953 and Especially popular during Cold War—overthrow Mosaddeq in 1953 and Allende in the 1970’s.Allende in the 1970’s.

Instruments of Foreign Policy (Cont’d)Instruments of Foreign Policy (Cont’d)

Economic InstrumentsEconomic Instruments Foreign Aid—intended to bolster foreign economies. Also Foreign Aid—intended to bolster foreign economies. Also

serve to induce compliance with American policies. serve to induce compliance with American policies. Marshall PlanMarshall Plan Support to PakistanSupport to Pakistan

Constitutes very small portion of American budget--.4 Constitutes very small portion of American budget--.4 percent, well below that which is recommended by U.N.percent, well below that which is recommended by U.N.

Economic sanctions—”stick” approach to diplomacy. Economic sanctions—”stick” approach to diplomacy. Restriction of trade with other countries at odds with American Restriction of trade with other countries at odds with American foreign policy interests.foreign policy interests. CubaCuba Iraq pre-invasion.Iraq pre-invasion.

Instruments of Foreign Policy (Cont’d)Instruments of Foreign Policy (Cont’d)

Instruments of Foreign Policy (Cont’d)Instruments of Foreign Policy (Cont’d)

Military InstrumentsMilitary Instruments Due to its severity, disinclined to employDue to its severity, disinclined to employ Three functions:Three functions:

Deterrence—MADDeterrence—MAD Preemptive or retaliatory attacks. Examples: Iraqi war, Libya Preemptive or retaliatory attacks. Examples: Iraqi war, Libya

1986 following discotheque bombing.1986 following discotheque bombing. Threat value—First Gulf WarThreat value—First Gulf War

Recent budget request nearly $380 billion. More than the next Recent budget request nearly $380 billion. More than the next twenty-five nations military spending combined.twenty-five nations military spending combined.

American military dominance unchallenged.American military dominance unchallenged.