MOD 5: The President in US Foreign Policy

Constitutional Foundations of Presidential Foreign Policy

Article II, Sections 1 & 2 grant broad executive power and military command, with shared diplomatic power (Senate advice/consent for treaties/appointments).

Challenges in Managing Foreign Policy Bureaucracy

President faces coordination failures, competing agency interests, and 'turf wars' over resources and mandates.

Bureaucratic Coordination Problem (Example)

Lack of unified action among agencies. E.g., pre-1990 Kuwait invasion, mixed US signals failed to deter Saddam Hussein.

Interagency Competition's Effect on US Foreign Policy (Example)

Political struggle over resources/influence. E.g., State vs. Defense debate over leading post-2003 Iraq stabilization reflected distinct institutional priorities.

Resource Competition Among Foreign Policy Agencies

Agencies engage in 'turf wars' to justify larger budgets, shaping policy preferences from organizational needs/missions.

War's Expansion of Presidential Authority & Constituencies (Howell, Jackman, Rogowski)

War expands presidential authority (foreign/domestic). President has national constituency; Congress has narrower interests, deferring to executive's policy/info advantage.

Authorization to Use Military Force (AUMF) (Golan-Vilella)

Golan-Vilella argues the 2001 AUMF (post-9/11) is problematic, justifying indefinite war (e.g., against ISIS). Advocates repealing 2002 AUMF and naming specific targets.

Erosion of Presidential Authority Constraints (Goldgeier & Saunders)

Goldgeier & Saunders argue constraints eroded due to increased global threats, executive's info advantage, and congressional deference.

Controversies of Executive Orders in Foreign Policy (Immigration)

Presidential directives with legal force but lack permanence. Used to bypass gridlock, but courts often block orders exceeding constitutional bounds (e.g., Obama's 2014, Trump's travel ban).

Congress's Constitutional Role in Foreign Policy

Declares war, raises armies, ratifies treaties (2/3 Senate), confirms nominees, controls appropriations ('power of the purse').

War Powers Act (1973)

Requires President to consult Congress before committing troops, notify within 48 hours, and withdraw forces after 60-90 days unless authorized. Often challenged by presidents.

How Congress Shapes Foreign Policy

Through legislation, funding, treaty ratification, nominee confirmation, oversight hearings, investigations, and influencing public opinion.

Partisanship's Effect on Congressional Foreign Policy

Affects support/opposition to presidential initiatives. Can lead to gridlock during divided government. Influences oversight (e.g., Benghazi hearings).

Divided Government's Influence on Foreign Policy

Leads to increased legislative-executive friction, policy stalemate, more executive orders, and aggressive congressional oversight.

Congress's Role in Shaping Public Opinion on Foreign Policy

Through public hearings, televised debates, speeches, and media, Congress frames issues and questions administration policies.

Weissman's Argument on Congressional Failure (Military Force)

Weissman argues Congress failed its duty to authorize military force (e.g., Libya, drone warfare), ceding power to the executive.

McKeon and Tess on Reasserting Congressional Foreign Policy Role

McKeon & Tess suggest Congress use its 'power of the purse,' demand specific AUMFs, conduct robust oversight, and actively engage in policy debates.

Components of a Domestic Model of International Politics

Domestic factors like public opinion, interest groups, parties, media, bureaucracy, and legislative-executive relations shape a state's foreign policy.

Two-Level Game Model (Putnam) in US Foreign Policy

International negotiations are simultaneous games: international (seeking agreement) and domestic (securing approval from constituencies). Domestic factors define 'win-sets'.

Domestic Nonstate Groups Influencing US Foreign Policy

Include ethnic lobbies, corporations (defense), NGOs, and think tanks; their interests range from economic to humanitarian or ideological.

Domestic Institutions' Influence on Foreign Policy Decisions

Institutions (Presidency, Congress, courts, electoral systems) mediate political demands, structure decision-making, allocate power, and set policy rules.