American Foreign Policy: The Dynamics of Choice in the 21st Century by Bruce W. Jentleson

Power Sharing: The Constitution outlines distinct but shared powers between the President and Congress regarding foreign policy.

• Key Areas:

• War Powers:

  • The President is the Commander in Chief, but Congress maintains the power to declare war.

  • Historical precedents indicate both branches have exercised their respective powers in complex ways.

  • Presidential assertions of war powers often outnumber congressional declarations of war, raising debates about authority and limits.

  • Examples: Major military actions often initiated without formal declarations (Vietnam, Iraq).

• Treaties and Agreements:

  • Negotiated by the President but require Senate ratification by a two-thirds majority.

  • Important historical cases include the Treaty of Versailles (Wilson) and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

  • Executive agreements provide an avenue for presidents to bypass Senate ratification, raising issues of accountability.

• Appointments:

  • Presidential nominations for key foreign policy positions require Senate confirmation, with a traditionally high confirmation rate.

  • Techniques such as holds can influence nominations without formal votes.

  • Notable examples of controversial nominations illustrate the political undercurrents affecting appointments (e.g., John Bolton, Susan Rice).

• Commerce: Congress explicitly regulates foreign commerce while the president's authority is often derived from delegated powers.

  • Historical shifts have seen Congress reclaiming authority over trade policy leading to contentious dynamics as trade politics become more complex.