Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy - United States

Protecting National Security: 

• Protecting our country against national security threats from foreign nations or other threatening groups.
• This includes our involvement in collective security agreements. 

Preserving World Peace: 

• Mediating Disputes between other countries - this keeps us safe as well, and can be seen as part of protecting national security.

Promoting Economic Prosperity:

• Trade agreements with other countries
• Joining international trade organizations
• Trying to gain strong economic footing for the US and our allies in trade talks
• This can reach environmental considerations as well

Humanitarian Ideals:

• Foreign Aid ()
• Promoting democracy ( and/or troops)
• Environmental regulation

Types of Power in Foreign Policy

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. 

World Views & Foreign Policy

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.

Extra-Governmental Organizations

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