American Gov: Domestic Policy Making/ Foreign Policy making

Due Process

The guarantee that laws will be fair and reasonable and that citizens suspected of breaking the law will be treated fairly.

EX: accusations against Trump about trials for immigrants being deported without trials

Congressional oversight

Efforts by Congress, especially through committees, to monitor agency rule making, enforcement, and implementation of congressional policies.

EX: not enough oversight on Trump

Bush Doctrine

The policy, established under Pres. George W. Bush, that supported preemptive attacks as a legitimate tactic in the U.S. war on state-sponsored terrorism.

Came out after 9/11

Isolationsim

A foreign policy view that nations should stay out of international political alliances and activities, and instead focus on domestic matters.

EX: Ukraine V. Russia War

Goals of the US Foreign Policy

• national security

• economic prosperity

• moral order

• international stability

National Security

Protecting the homeland & American interests abroad.  

Ex. Iraq I (1991) & Afghanistan (2001)

Economic prosperity

Promoting trade, protecting markets, energy security

Ex. Marshall Plan (1948-1952) (After WW2, help rebuild), NAFTA (1994)

Moral Order

Promoting democratic values and human rights

Ex.  Post-Cold War Democracy Promotion (1990s); Sanctions against Apartheid South Africa (1986)

International Stability

Preventing war, unwanted territorial expansion, and disorder

Ex. Camp David Accords (1978), Creation of NATO (1949), Bretton Woods System i.e. Creation of World Bank, IMF (1944)

Economic sanctions –

restrictions on trade imposed on one country by another state or group of states, usually as a form of punishment or protest.

EX: sanctions on Russia during Ukriane ward

Foreign aid –

assistance given by one country to another in the form of grants or loans

EX: Marshall Plan after WWII

Protectionism –

the imposition of trade barriers, especially tariffs, to make trading conditions favorable to domestic producers.

EX: Trump is imposing tariffs on all Chinese imports

Treaties –

Formal agreements with other countries; negotiated by the president and requiring approval by two-thirds of the Senate.

EX: Treaty of Versailles WWI

Federal Reserve System –

the independent commission that controls the money supply through a system of 12 federal reserve banks.

Medicaid –

a federally-sponsored program that provides medical are to the poor.

Medicare –

the federal government’s insurance program for the elderly and disabled.

 Progressive taxes –

taxes whose rates increase with income i.e.,  the more you make, the more you pay.

EX: federal income tax; A person earning $50,000 pays less than someone earning $500,000.

The FACTORS that affect Domestic Policy Making

1. Political factors

2. Economic factors

3. Social factors

4. Institutional factors

a) Political Factors

1. Partisan control of government – who has power to move bill through the process?

2. Electoral considerations – who is up in the next election?

3. Ideological commitments – who cares more about being right rather than getting something done? 

4. Political feasibility – do you have the votes?

b) Economic Factors

1. Budgetary constraints – Can government afford this idea?

2. Economic conditions – Can the people afford this idea?

3. Cost-benefit analyses – Will this idea generate good stuff that outweighs the costs?

4. Resource allocation – Are there other things that are more deserving of government money?

c) Social Factors

1. Public opinion – Does the public understand and like this idea?

2. Demographic changes – Is there a growing part of the population for or against this idea?

3. Cultural values – Does this idea connect with what people believe?

4. Social movements – Are there groups of citizens organizing on this issue?

d)  Institutional Factors

1.   Constitutional constraints – Is this idea allowed?

2.   Federalism – Who has the power to do this?

3.   Bureaucratic capacity – Can the government handle the implementation?

4.   Policy precedents – Has anything like this been done before?

Key Players in Domestic Policy Making
(Key Point:  It’s not just Congress)

1. Legislative Branch 

2. Executive Branch

3. Judicial Branch

4. Interest Groups (non-governmental), including:

• Think tanks and policy research organizations

• Media

• The general public / social movements

• Community organizations

• Businesses / Unions