American Government 3e - Chapter 17 - Foreign Policy

balance of power

a situation in which no one nation or region is much more powerful militarily than any other in the world

balance of trade

the relationship between a country's inflow and outflow of goods

Cold War

the period from shortly after World War II until approximately 1989-1990 when advanced industrial democracies divided behind the two superpowers (East: Soviet Union, West: United States) and the fear of nuclear war abounded

congressional executive agreement

an international agreement that is not a treaty and that is negotiated by the president and approved by a simple majority of the House and Senate

containment

the effort by the United States and Western European allies, begun during the Cold War, to prevent the spread of communism

diplomacy

the establishment and maintenance of a formal relationship between countries

economic sanction

a situation in which a country or multiple countries suspend trade or other financial relationships with another country in order to signal their displeasure with the behavior of the other country

foreign policy

a government's goals in dealing with other countries or regions and the strategy used to achieve them

free trade

a policy in which a country allows the unfettered flow of goods and services between itself and other countries

hard power

the use or threat of military power to influence the behavior of another country

isolationism

a foreign policy approach that advocates a nation's staying out of foreign entanglements and keeping to itself

liberal internationalism

a foreign policy approach of becoming proactively engaged in world affairs by cooperating in a community of nations

neo-isolationism

a policy of distancing the United States from the United Nations and other international organizations, while still participating in the world economy

neoconservatism

the belief that, rather than exercising restraint, the United States should aggressively use its might to promote its values and ideals around the world

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

a cross-national military organization with bases in Belgium and Germany formed to maintain stability in Europe

protectionism

a policy in which a country does not permit other countries to sell goods and services within its borders or charges them very high tariffs (import taxes) to do so

selective engagement

a policy of retaining a strong military presence and remaining engaged across the world

soft power

nonmilitary tools used to influence another country, such as economic sanctions

sole executive agreement

an international agreement that is not a treaty and that is negotiated and approved by the president acting alone

treaty

an international agreement entered by the United States that requires presidential negotiation with other nation(s), consent by two-thirds of the Senate, and final ratification by the president

two presidencies thesis

the thesis by Wildavsky that there are two distinct presidencies, one for foreign and one for domestic policy, and that presidents are more successful in foreign than domestic policy

United Nations (UN)

an international organization of nation-states that seeks to promote peace, international relations, and economic and environmental programs

Why are foreign policy issues more complicated than domestic policy issues?

They are more specific.

They are more complex.

The international environment is unpredictable.

They are more expensive.

Which of the following is not a foreign policy type?

trade policy

intelligence policy

war-making

bureaucratic oversight

The goals of U.S. foreign policy include ________.

keeping the country safe

securing access to foreign markets

protecting human rights

all the above

What are two key differences between domestic policymaking and foreign policymaking?

A sole executive agreement is likely to be in effect longer than is a treaty.

true

false

All the following are examples of sharply focused foreign policy outputs except ________.

presidential summits

military uses of force

emergency spending measures

international agreements

The War Powers Resolution ________.

strengthened congressional war powers

strengthened presidential war powers

affected the presidency and congress equally

ultimately had little impact on war-making

The federal budget process matters in foreign policy for all the following reasons except ________.

Congress has the power of the purse, so the president needs its approval

the budget provides the funding needed to run the foreign policy agencies

the budget for every presidential action has to be approved in advance

the budget allows political institutions to increase funding in key new areas

Which types of foreign policy outputs have more impact, broadly conceived ones or sharply focused ones? Why?

In terms of formal powers in the realm of foreign policy, ________.

the president is entirely in charge

the president and Congress share power

Congress is entirely in charge

decisions are delegated to experts in the bureaucracy

Why do House members and senators tend to be less active on foreign policy matters than domestic ones?

Foreign policy matters are more technical and difficult.

Legislators do not want to offend certain immigrant groups within their constituency.

Constituents are more directly affected by domestic policy topics than foreign ones.

Legislators themselves are not interested in foreign policy matters.

Neoconservativism is an isolationist foreign policy approach of a nation keeping to itself and engaging less internationally.

true

false

President George W. Bush was a proponent of liberal internationalism in his foreign policy.

true

false

The U.S. policy of containment during the Cold War related to keeping ________.

terrorism from spreading

rogue countries like North Korea from developing nuclear weapons

communism from spreading

oil prices from rising

The use of drones within other countries' borders is consistent with which school of thought?

liberal internationalism

neoconservativism

neo-isolationism

grand strategy

What are the pros and cons of the neoconservative foreign policy approach followed in recent decades?

In your view, what are the best ways to get the community of nations working together?

What are the three most important foreign policy issues facing the United States today? Why?

Which is more important as an influencer of foreign policy, the president or a cabinet department like the Department of State or Defense? Why?

What do you think is the most advantageous school of thought for the United States to follow in foreign policy in the future? Why?

If you were president and wanted to gather support for a new foreign policy initiative, which three U.S. foreign policy actors would you approach and why?

Definition of foreign policy, and the role of the President

Foreign policy comprises a government's strategies and actions concerning international relations and diplomacy, aiming to safeguard national interests, promote global stability, and manage international alliances and conflicts. The President plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing foreign policy, acting as the chief diplomat and commander-in-chief.

Presidency revisited; the constitutional and conventional powers of the president

The President's constitutional powers include serving as commander-in-chief, making treaties with Senate approval, appointing ambassadors, and receiving foreign dignitaries. Conventional powers encompass executive agreements, diplomatic recognition, and the conduct of foreign affairs through executive agencies and advisors.

Foreign policy instruments

Foreign policy tools include diplomatic negotiations, economic sanctions, military alliances, humanitarian aid, and cultural exchanges, used to influence international relations, promote national security, and achieve diplomatic objectives abroad.

Intra-governmental relations; how the President and Congress would cooperate in foreign policy fields

In foreign policy, the President and Congress cooperate through shared responsibilities, with Congress authorizing funding, ratifying treaties, and overseeing policy implementation. The President engages Congress through consultations, briefings, and reports, aiming for consensus on foreign policy decisions and legislative support for international initiatives.