Foreign Policy
Protecting National Security:
Preserving World Peace:
Promoting Economic Prosperity:
Humanitarian Ideals:
Soft Power: Persuasion
Example 1: Diplomacy – conducting negotiations, how we interact with other countries, honoring their traditions, Ambassadors, etc.
Example 2: Summits – Meetings of Heads of State – different from Diplomacy. These are formal talks between countries.
Example 3: Treaties & Accords – Peaceful Agreements – some signed during times of peace, sometimes to end conflicts. Agreed to by both sides. (Paris Climate Accord, etc.)
Example 4: Trade Relations – Cross-Border Commerce – this can be used to entice countries to be allies, or for economic benefit.
Example 5: Foreign Aid – Help for less wealthy countries. Often used to advance humanitarian goals, but also for military goals
Example 6: Cultural Exchanges – Contact of people – foreign tours, study abroad, performing artists, etc. More informal, but done between countries who get along to promote deeper understanding.
Hard Power: Coercion
Example 1: Intelligence Gathering – Assessing threats. “Keeping tabs” on enemies. CIA, Homeland Security.
Example 2: Covert Action – Secret tactics to influence events. Capturing and eliminating threats. Rescue attempts. Propaganda.
Example 3: Boycotts and Sanctions – Economic Pressure through tariffs, trade barriers, boycotts, etc. This is ultimately what pushed Japan into WWII.
Example 4: Military Alliances – Collective Security agreements. NATO, etc.
Example 5: Armed Forces – Last Resort – usually not used until every other option has been exhausted. Diplomacy is a better route. Often used to carry out other tools.
Isolationism: Withdrawing from the world (we need to take care of ourselves first). Dangerous in a globally connected economy.
When was it used: Post WWI.
Containment: Controlling aggressive nations.
When was it used: Post WWII. Cold War – stopped spread of communism. Drew us into Korea and Vietnam.
Disengagement: Avoid military involvement.
When was it used: Post-Vietnam. Not against foreign aid, just no unnecessary wars.
Human Rights: US Power to protect others. Attempts to stop human rights violation.
When was it used: Kosovo. Somalia.
Anti-Terrorism: Protecting the homeland. Seek out and destroy terrorists and those who help them.
When was it used: Post 9/11 worldview. Lead to creation of Patriot Act.
IGO - Intergovernmental Organizations. Organizations that have multiple nations as members.
Example: United Nations
Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Declaration by the United Nations, lists out rights that every person should have.
NGO - Nongovernmental Organizations. Most are non-profit, less political, focus on least developed countries.
Example: Red Cross
Protecting National Security:
Preserving World Peace:
Promoting Economic Prosperity:
Humanitarian Ideals:
Soft Power: Persuasion
Example 1: Diplomacy – conducting negotiations, how we interact with other countries, honoring their traditions, Ambassadors, etc.
Example 2: Summits – Meetings of Heads of State – different from Diplomacy. These are formal talks between countries.
Example 3: Treaties & Accords – Peaceful Agreements – some signed during times of peace, sometimes to end conflicts. Agreed to by both sides. (Paris Climate Accord, etc.)
Example 4: Trade Relations – Cross-Border Commerce – this can be used to entice countries to be allies, or for economic benefit.
Example 5: Foreign Aid – Help for less wealthy countries. Often used to advance humanitarian goals, but also for military goals
Example 6: Cultural Exchanges – Contact of people – foreign tours, study abroad, performing artists, etc. More informal, but done between countries who get along to promote deeper understanding.
Hard Power: Coercion
Example 1: Intelligence Gathering – Assessing threats. “Keeping tabs” on enemies. CIA, Homeland Security.
Example 2: Covert Action – Secret tactics to influence events. Capturing and eliminating threats. Rescue attempts. Propaganda.
Example 3: Boycotts and Sanctions – Economic Pressure through tariffs, trade barriers, boycotts, etc. This is ultimately what pushed Japan into WWII.
Example 4: Military Alliances – Collective Security agreements. NATO, etc.
Example 5: Armed Forces – Last Resort – usually not used until every other option has been exhausted. Diplomacy is a better route. Often used to carry out other tools.
Isolationism: Withdrawing from the world (we need to take care of ourselves first). Dangerous in a globally connected economy.
When was it used: Post WWI.
Containment: Controlling aggressive nations.
When was it used: Post WWII. Cold War – stopped spread of communism. Drew us into Korea and Vietnam.
Disengagement: Avoid military involvement.
When was it used: Post-Vietnam. Not against foreign aid, just no unnecessary wars.
Human Rights: US Power to protect others. Attempts to stop human rights violation.
When was it used: Kosovo. Somalia.
Anti-Terrorism: Protecting the homeland. Seek out and destroy terrorists and those who help them.
When was it used: Post 9/11 worldview. Lead to creation of Patriot Act.
IGO - Intergovernmental Organizations. Organizations that have multiple nations as members.
Example: United Nations
Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Declaration by the United Nations, lists out rights that every person should have.
NGO - Nongovernmental Organizations. Most are non-profit, less political, focus on least developed countries.
Example: Red Cross