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Foreign Policy

The collection of goals, strategies, and instruments selected by governmental policymakers for involvement abroad. how governmental decisions and policies get on the agenda, are formulated and are implemented

presidential preeminence

the influence and relevance of actors decrease with the distance from the center of the circles suggesting that the president dominates policymaking

shifting leadership and politics framework

recognizes the complex and messy politics of the us foreign policy process and the varying roles and leadership of the president, presidential advisers, the agencies of the foreign policy bureaucracy, congress, societal forces and actors

The Global Context

External phenomena that set the underlying conditions or parameters of likely US foreign policy, with world events and relationships having immediate impacts on domestic politics and the us policymaking process

Theories

Different theoretical approaches that help understand and explain foreign policy.

Systemic

external sources of foreign policy draw our attention to the point that the formulation of American foreign policy does not take place in a vacuum.

Defensive realism

states are fundamentally security maximizers. us should seek only an appropriate amount of power. predicts that foreign policy behavior of the US is one of restraint. International system only provides incentives for moderate behavior.expansionistic policies to achieve security are not requires and may be counter productive

offensive realism

states are power maximizers. do not believe that security in the international system is plentiful. global hegemony is the highest goal of every foreign policy but it is not practical. regional hegemony is the preferred policy. if regional hegemony is achieved then focus on preventing other hegemonies. global hegemony is impossible due to the stopping power of water.

common assumptions

that the international system in anarchic, there is no higher authority above states, no centralized authority in international politics. the most important actors are sovereign states. states act on the basis of self help. each must take appropriate steps to ensure their own survival. believe that states must take necessary steps to ensure their own survival. power is the main currency of international politics

global hegemony

Global hegemony refers to the dominance or leadership of one country or group of countries over others on a global scale. It involves the exercise of power and influence in various aspects, such as politics, economics, and culture.

regional hegemony

The dominance of one region over others in terms of power, influence, and control. It involves a state or group asserting its authority and shaping the political, economic, and security dynamics within a specific geographic area. Regional hegemony often involves maintaining a favorable balance of power, establishing alliances, and projecting military capabilities to ensure dominance.

Domestic Theories

The internal sources of foreign policy that are considered more important than external sources.

Liberalism

US Must take on the role of world leadership and construct a peaceful liberal order through multilateral cooperation and effect international organizations

Neoclassical Realism

A theory that combines systemic and domestic factors to understand foreign policy behavior. argues that domestic politics are an intervening variable between the distribution of power and foreign policy behavior

Constructivism

A theory that emphasizes the role of ideas and identity in shaping foreign policy. Treat identities and interests as malleable social constructions. the role of identity is so important. Argues that the interest of the us are derived through the process of social interaction

Grand Strategy

overall vision of a states national security goals and a determination of the most appropriate means to achieve these goals

Primacy

A grand strategy that seeks to preserve America's position as the undisputed preeminent power in the international system.

Liberal Idealism

A worldview that sees a world of more cooperation and complex interdependence.

Liberal Internationalism

A grand strategy firmly anchored to the theory of liberalism, promoting the spread of democracy and liberty around the world.1. Liberal internationalism:A belief that free trade and the creation of international institutions and norms can foster interdependence among states and manage global problems.

Off-shore balancing

A strategy rooted in realist balance of power theory, where a state seeks to preserve its relative power position by avoiding direct involvement in power struggles and refrain from meddling in the affairs of other states

Misuse of power

The abuse or improper use of power by a state that possesses a preponderance of power.

Terrorism

The use of violence and intimidation, often by non-state actors, to achieve political, ideological, or religious goals.

Constitution

protected trade and prevented americans from being sucked into the european killing fields

Washington's Farewell Address

A speech given by George Washington in 1796, advocating for limited political connections with foreign nations.

Monroe Doctrine

A policy declared by President James Monroe in 1823, stating that the U.S. would not tolerate European interference in the newly independent nations of Latin America.

Open Door Policy

A set of principles outlined by Secretary of State John Hay in 1899-1900, advocating for open trade and opposing colonialism.

League of Nations

An international organization proposed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 to maintain peace after World War I, but the U.S. did not join.

Open Door Policy

The historic US policy in China that President Roosevelt refused to surrender by recognizing Japanese domination of parts of China.

World War II

The global conflict that occurred from 1939-1945, in which the US became involved through alliances with British leaders. No longer feared becoming involved because they believe they held the raw power to control and run that world

Liberal Hegemony

The concept of liberal hegemony refers to the idea that liberal democratic states have the ability and responsibility to shape the international order according to their values and principles.

Historians

argue that policy makers use history poorly and that lessons of the past often mislead as much as they inform

Policymakers

say that few historians have the government experience that is useful in understanding how policy is really made

Limits of the history-policy relationship

There is rarely a single accepted interpretation of the past. the differences between two historical situations almost always outline the similarities. Policymakers need to be reasonable in think about the sort of insights history can provide and historians need to be humble

analogical reasoning

the observation that something happening today is like something that happened before. can reduce sensitivity to the importance of context and overstating the continuities between past and present

Understanding ourselves and others

The role of history in helping policymakers understand the nature and characteristics of other countries and societies. Iraq example: insufficient attention paid to what Iraq’s history as a country dominated by suffocating dictatorships would mean for its prospects for a rapid transition to democracy

Strategic perspective

history can be a source of strategic perspective and patience. it demonstrates that even the most successful strategists confronted innumerable obstacles

Success and failure

history can be a critical means of self evaluation and help us understand why something failed and avoid prior mistakes.

realism: International Relations Realists

Cold war realist who sought to account for the emergence of the cold war and later became critics of us foreign policy. addressed the bipolar relationship and the us role within it

Ideational Approaches

Perspectives that emphasize how US foreign policy decision-making was influenced by prevailing political values and ideological frameworks within American domestic politics.

Socio-economic Approaches

Perspectives that highlight the capitalist character of American foreign policy, the role of socio-economic actors and processes, and the internationalization of the domestic capitalist character of US society.

Orthodox Approach

Argues that the USA was naive about the nature of Soviet power and responded to Soviet aggression in East-Central Europe.

Revisionists

Argue that the US tried to impose its economic system on East-Central Europe, causing the division of Europe and provoking Soviet hostility.

Containment

The policy that emerged from the dynamic between Moscow and Washington towards Europe, aiming to prevent the spread of communism.

Truman Doctrine

A speech by President Truman calling for Americans to contain communism and take responsibility for it.

Marshall Plan

A plan to provide economic aid to Western Europe to address the post-war economic crisis and prevent the spread of communism.

Truman Doctrine

The belief that freedom must precede order and that the type of government a people choose is decisive in both domestic and international politics.

Recommendations made to Eisenhower

Suggestions to continue the policy of containment, expand US commitments, and meet communist aggression forcefully.

Eisenhower's Foreign Policy

A policy that aimed to provide security through a strong mix of offensive and defensive means, maintain a robust economy, and preserve a civil society.

Marshall Plan

A massive injection of aid to jumpstart the economies in Western Europe and undercut the attraction of communist propaganda. Since communism was thought to thrive amid condition of poverty and despair, economic recovery would undercut this

Vietnam

US intervention in Vietnam influenced by wider regional developments, the formation of NATO, and the domino theory which predicted that states surround a newly created communist state would become infected with communism

Reagan Foreign Policy

A policy that aimed to end the Cold War by killing détente and perceiving communism as weakening.

Reagan Doctrine

A policy of supporting anti-communist insurgents worldwide to actively push back the influence of the Soviet Union.

Agenda setting

The process of defining and bringing attention to a problem or issue that needs to be addressed by governmental officials and organizations.

Policy formulation

The process of identifying and evaluating goals and options, and making decisions on which policies to pursue.

Policy implementation

The stage where the chosen policy is put into action by members or agents of the government.

Rational actor model

An approach to decision-making that assumes individuals or organizations act in a rational and self-interested manner. ultimately, the government operates according to a pyramid of authority. President on top.

Groupthink

A phenomenon where group members prioritize consensus and conformity over critical thinking and alternative viewpoints.

Governmental politics

Describes the political dynamics and competition among policymakers in the policy-making process. When no one actor can dominate, competitive poltiics prevails and decision become a function of bargaining and compromise

Organizational process

Refers to the decentralized and autonomous decision-making processes within bureaucracies and organizations. Key actors are bureaucratic organizations rather than the president or a group of policymakers

Interbranch politics

The political interactions and negotiations between different branches of government, such as the legislative and executive branches.

Cuban Missile Crisis OCT 16 1962

A 13-day confrontation in 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union over the presence of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba.

Bureaucratic/Governmental Process

A conceptual model that focuses on the influence of bureaucratic politics and government processes on decision-making.

Congress

The legislative branch of the United States government. (house and senate)

Executive

The branch of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws.

Constitution gives the president

certain powers like nominating cabinet officers, ambassadors, and senior military officers. Negotiating treaties, commanding the military

Head of State

The role of the President as a symbolic representative of the United States.

Chief Diplomat

The President's constitutional duty to nominate sec. of state and ambassadors abroad and right to offer, withdraw, official us diplomatic relations with foreign governments.

Commander in Chief

The President's authority over the military and armed forces. when president gives an order, military and Dod must comply

Chief Executive

The President's role as the head of the executive branch and authority over government agencies.

Chief Legislator

The President's ability to initiate and veto legislation.

Bully Pulpit

The President's unique ability to use their position to influence public opinion and gain attention.

Initiative

The President's power to take action and give orders to staff, advisors, and agencies.

Persuasion

The President's ability to use their reputation and office to convince others and win support.

Paradox of Presidential Power

The idea that while the President has significant powers, they also face limitations and constraints.

Limits and Constraints

time- insufficient time to complete all necessary tasks

information - may lack adequate information, too much information/ lack of time to digest it. May struggle to understand the meaning of or connections between information

limit/ constraints - Bureaucracy

The large and often unresponsive system of government agencies. all presidents grapple with problem of creating a structure and process to manage and control the agencies

Prerogative Power

The President's use of discretionary power in times of national security or crises.

Funding the federal government

Congress's power to allocate funds for government operations.

Declaring war

Congress's authority to officially declare war.

Regulating foreign commerce

Congress's power to oversee and regulate trade with other countries.

Approving nominations

Congress's role in confirming appointments made by the President.

Raising and supporting armies

Congress's power to authorize and fund the military.

Department of State

Established in 1789, it organizes the Foreign Service and is responsible for foreign policy formulation and implementation, leading in negotiations of treaties, and supporting engagement with international organizations, allies, and the international community.

Department of Defense (DOD)

Established in 1949, it is responsible for the provision and maintenance of military forces to defend US citizens and interests. It is also a key source of information and assessment on key security issues and plays a significant role in national security strategy and planning.

Department of Homeland Security

Established in 2002, it is responsible for counter-terrorism, border security, emergency planning, disaster management, immigration enforcement, and cybersecurity.

Intelligence Community

It has three main functions - collecting and analyzing information for policymakers, counterintelligence, and covert political and paramilitary operations in support of US foreign policy.

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

Established in 1947, it is traditionally responsible for the collection, analysis, and coordination of information concerning adversaries' behavior and intentions, as well as the state of conditions around the world. It plays both passive and active roles in intelligence work.

National Security Act (1947)

It aimed to rationalize the national security process and force the President to be more responsive to formal lines of authority in the foreign policy bureaucracy. It was a response to perceived inefficiencies during WWII and concerns with President Roosevelt's management style.

National Security Council (NSC)

It is the focal point for the management of executive branch foreign policy making. Its purpose is to enhance the way a President makes decisions, not to make the President conform to it.

NSC System adaptations

providing policy advice, coordinating the policy process for the president. also the staff became more signifcant over time while the nsc as a decision making body decline

United Nations

An international organization established in 1945 to address global issues of peace and security. us is a permanent member and host of the un headquarters