Goldgeier and Saunders (1)

The Unconstrained Presidency

Context: The rise of Donald Trump has spotlighted the perceived overarching power of an individual president in directing U.S. foreign policy.
Key Actions:
- Withdrawal from key international agreements: Trans-Pacific Partnership, Paris climate agreement, Iran nuclear deal.
- Tariff impositions on several countries, including U.S. allies (Canada, EU).
- Diplomatic tensions evident at G-7 summit through withdrawal from joint agreements and confrontational interactions with leaders.

Underlying Issues: The erosion of checks on presidential power has been a long-term trend, predating Trump.
Impact on Political Institutions:
- Congress: Lacks the expertise and motivation to effectively oversee executive actions due to decline in foreign policy knowledge and increasing polarization.
- Bureaucracy: Centralization in the White House has diminished the bureaucratic capacity to provide checks on presidential decisions.
- International Alliances: Global partners find it challenging to influence U.S. policy, impacting the effectiveness of established international norms.

Constitutional Role: Congress is empowered to oversee issues such as trade and military action but has increasingly been sidelined.
Informal Checks: Though Congress can hold hearings and prompt debate, actual oversight has decreased significantly since the Cold War.
Political Polarization:
- Partisan support for the president in unified government periods results in minimal pushback.
- Divided government leads to gridlock, with Congress unable to act effectively on foreign policy.
Trends of Congressional Expertise:
- Decline in foreign policy expertise restricts Congress's ability to effectively engage with and supervise presidential actions.
Examples of Declining Authority:
- Executives bypass treaty procedures, as with Obama's Iran deal through an executive agreement due to congressional inaction.
- AUMF (Authorization for Use of Military Force) has become a generic tool for unlimited military engagement at the discretion of the president.

Historical Context: The establishment of a robust bureaucratic framework was essential as America emerged as a global leader. However, executive preference has sidelined them in favor of politically aligned White House advisors.
Presidential Management Trends: Each administration has gradually expanded control over foreign policy, limiting input from seasoned bureaucratic experts.
Growing Role of the National Security Council: The NSC's expansion often replaces career bureaucrats' input, reducing governmental stability and expertise.
Military vs. Diplomatic Relationships: Military dominance in foreign affairs overshadows the State Department, as seen in various global military operations and budgetary allocations.

Historical Cooperation: After WWII, the U.S. maintained strong cooperative relationships with allies to secure mutual interests.
Change in Attitude: As the U.S. became a unilateral power in the late 20th century, reliance on and cooperation with allies significantly diminished.
Contemporary Implications:
- U.S. foreign policy decisions demonstrate less regard for allied interests, undermining trust.
- Recent administrations display a trend of partisanship negatively affecting the management of foreign alliances.

Emerging Global Dynamics: As the geopolitical landscape evolves with the rise of China, it may prompt a necessary reevaluation of U.S. foreign policy mechanisms.
Need for Revitalization: There is a potential need for Congress to regain expertise and power in foreign relations and re-strengthen bureaucratic roles to enhance effective governance.
Conclusion: The expansion of presidential unilateralism is a culmination of long-term trends that could lead to an imbalance, with significant ramifications for U.S. foreign relations and international standing.