Lecture on U.S. Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy Overview

  • Definition of Foreign Policy: Includes programs and policies determining America's interactions with other nations and entities. It encompasses various domains such as:

    • Diplomacy

    • Military and security policy

    • International human rights policies

    • Trade policy

    • International energy policy

Major Goals of U.S. Foreign Policy

  1. Security

    • Security is often considered the primary goal of U.S. foreign policy.

    • Traditional concerns: threats from hostile foreign nation-states.

    • Modern concerns: threats from terrorist groups and other non-state actors.

  2. Economic Prosperity

    • Aimed at promoting American economic interests on the global stage.

Security and Military Strength

  • Concerns of Policy Makers: Physical security encompasses protecting various aspects of American infrastructure, including:

    • Food supply

    • Transportation infrastructure

    • Energy supplies

  • Modern Example: U.S. issues in the Middle East highlight the complexity of security in contemporary foreign policy.

  • Cybersecurity Threats: Charge against Chinese and Russian agencies for cyber-espionage targeting American secrets.

Historical Context of U.S. Foreign Policy

Early U.S. Foreign Policy

  • Guiding Principle: Isolationism (eighteenth and nineteenth centuries).

    • Definition of Isolationism: Avoidance of involvement in other nations' affairs.

    • Advocated by early Presidents such as George Washington and James Monroe.

  • Shift in Policy: Early twentieth century saw increased economic interdependence, leading to reevaluation of isolationism.

    • Events such as the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and World War II led to questioning of isolationism.

Foreign Policy After World War II

  • End of Isolationism: Transition to a new security policy dubbed Containment.

    • Definition of Containment: A policy aimed at curtailing the expansion of hostile powers, notably the Soviet Union.

  • Preventive War Philosophy: Some advocated for a more aggressive approach, suggesting preemptive strikes against perceived threats.

    • Definition of Preventive War: The doctrine of striking first against potential hostile actions.

Foreign Policy During the Cold War

  • Appeasement vs. Deterrence:

    • Appeasement: Efforts to prevent war by conceding to hostile demands.

    • Deterrence: The strategy of preventing aggression by showcasing military capability and willingness to retaliate.

  • The Cold War era (1940s - 1990) is characterized by U.S.-Soviet confrontations.

Modern Challenges to Security and Military Strategy

  • Deterrence and Non-State Actors: Challenges arise as terrorist organizations lack state-like characteristics, complicating traditional deterrence strategies.

  • Preventive War under President Bush: Marked by a focus on proactive strikes against terror groups post-September 11.

    • Example: Invasion of Iraq in 2003 under the “global war on terror” paradigm.

Variations in Diplomatic Strategy

  • Different Presidential Approaches:

    • Obama: Focus on diplomacy and sanctions.

    • Trump: Emphasized military readiness and unilateral actions.

    • Biden: Aimed to strengthen alliances and improve relations through collaborative diplomacy.

    • Example: Coordination with NATO to respond to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Economic Prosperity Goals in Foreign Policy

  • Focus Areas:

    • Expand domestic employment

    • Ensure access to foreign energy supplies

    • Attract foreign investment

    • Lower consumer prices

    • Safeguard U.S. economic interests abroad

Trade Policy Implications

  • The U.S. supports free trade but acknowledges both benefits and detriments:

    • Many consumers benefit from cheaper imports.

    • Certain industries suffer job losses due to outsourcing.

  • Memberships in crucial trade organizations:

    • World Trade Organization (WTO)

    • United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (UMSCA)

Promotion of American Ideals

Human Rights and Democracy

  • Diverse perspectives exist among Americans regarding the role of the U.S. in promoting human rights abroad:

    • Some advocate for active involvement in human rights issues.

    • Others suggest focusing domestic resources instead.

    • A third group views human rights policies as a form of soft power that serves U.S. interests.

  • The U.S. participates in major international human rights agreements although it prioritizes security and economic interests.

Foreign Policy Makers

Role of the President

  • The President plays a key role in shaping foreign policy and setting strategic agendas:

    • Example: The Bush Doctrine, advocating preemptive action against security threats.

    • Executive Agreements: Allow the president to negotiate treaties without Senate approval.

Bureaucratic Influence on Foreign Policy

  • Agencies involved include:

    • National Security Council (NSC): Coordinates foreign policy and synthesizes bureaucratic information.

    • State Department: Handles routine diplomatic matters and oversees thousands of diplomatic missions worldwide.

    • Department of Defense: Manages military strategy and resource allocation.

    • Intelligence Agencies (e.g., CIA, DNI): Analyze foreign intelligence and provide critical insights for policy decisions.

Congressional Role in Foreign Policy

Congressional Powers

  • Congress can influence foreign policy through its constitutional authority to declare war and manage resources for military actions.

  • Specific committees such as Foreign Relations and Armed Services play crucial roles in advising and approving foreign policy initiatives.

Interest Group Influence

  • Economic Interest Groups: Often exert considerable influence in shaping foreign policy.

    • Example: Cuban American lobbying groups.

  • Growing importance of human rights organizations in foreign policy discussions (e.g., Amnesty International).

Tools of Modern American Foreign Policy

Diplomacy

  • Diplomacy is essential for representing national interests peacefully.

    • American ambassadors promote U.S. values abroad by maintaining relations and gathering intelligence on foreign governments.

The United Nations (UN)

  • The UN acts as a platform for shaping international public opinion, consisting of various bodies like:

    • General Assembly: Comprises all member states, each with one vote.

    • Security Council: 15 members (5 permanent with veto power). Decisions require a majority vote.

Economic Measures

  • Monetary Structures Established at Bretton Woods: Key goals included economic stability to prevent political instability.

    • International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank): Provides development aid.

    • International Monetary Fund (IMF): Facilitates monetary exchange and provides loans.

  • Economic Aid: Approximately $50 billion annually to support U.S. goals.

    • Promotes security interests or responds to international crises.

  • Economic Sanctions: Includes trade embargoes and restrictions on investments.

Military Force as a Tool

  • Military force is the most evident means of foreign policy but is used as a last resort due to costs and public support dynamics.

Soft Power

  • Definition of Soft Power: The ability to influence other nations through cultural or ideological means rather than coercion through military or economic penalties.

    • Instruments include development aid, cultural exchanges, and public diplomacy.

Arbitration

  • Defines dispute resolution as a mechanism involving third-party intervention, often perceived as a non-coercive use of power.

    • Important in maintaining international trade flows through arbitration clauses in contracts.

Current Foreign Policy Issues

Challenges with China and Russia

  • China is expanding military capabilities aiming for dominance in Asia.

  • Russia, while weaker economically, remains a significant military power and has been involved in global interventions and cyber activities against the U.S.

Nuclear Proliferation Concerns

  • Iran: Long-standing adversarial relationship; fears nuclear armament. An agreement was made in 2015 but later withdrawn by Trump.

  • North Korea: Ongoing development of nuclear weapons with support from China.

Trade Policy Tensions

  • Accusations of unfair trade practices by countries like China, with significant U.S. job implications.

Environmental Policy Issues

  • U.S. engagement in environmental protocols has varied widely:

    • Withdrawing from the Kyoto Protocol but reinstating involvement via the Paris Agreement under Biden, after Trump's withdrawal.

Public Opinion Polls

  • Various public opinion questions reveal American sentiments toward foreign policy, including trade and military support for nations with human rights violations, the need for Congress to declare war, and the preferred foreign policy approaches (e.g., isolationism vs. engagement).

Additional Context

  • Comparison of U.S. foreign aid contributions with other nations highlights its global standing.

  • Trade revenue dynamics across the U.S. states reflect significant disparities affecting local economies.