Making Foreign Policy The President and Foreign Policy
- Slides: 6
Making Foreign Policy
The President and Foreign Policy: a nation’s overall plan for dealing with other nations ► The most basic goal of American foreign policy is national security, the ability to keep the country safe from attack ► No govt. can effectively meet other goals if the nation is under attack; quality of life? ►
Other Foreign Policy Goals International Trade: trade is vital to today’s global economy and American prosperity, trade makes markets for American products and jobs for American workers ► World Peace: war away from the US can disrupt trade and endanger American national security, examples? ► Promote Democracy and Capitalism: promoting democracy, trade, and basic human rights around the world encourages peace; how? ►
Foreign Policy Structure President and Vice-President work with the State Dept. , the Defense Dept. , the CIA, and the National Security Council to make policy decisions ► These agencies give the President valuable information, can carry out decisions around the world, and can develop new solutions ► President must choose among conflicting advice from these agencies, result? ► Power over foreign policy divided between Congress and the President ► § Declaring war vs. commander in chief § Paying for the military § War Powers Resolution
Tools of Foreign Policy Creating Treaties and Executive Agreements: treaties are formal agreements between 2 or more countries, can deal with trade or defense, must be approved by Senate; NATO, NAFTA; for smaller matters a President may use an executive agreement ► Appointing Ambassadors: ambassadors are an official representative of a country's government; ambassadors are only sent to countries where the US recognizes the legal existence of the government; North Korea, Cuba ►
More Tools of Foreign Policy ► Foreign Aid: money, food, military assistance, or other supplies give to help other countries § Good? § Bad? ► International Trade: President can negotiate rules for trade § trade sanctions § embargo, Cuba ► Military Force: military can be used to carry out some foreign policy decisions, must be used with care ► A long running peace vigil/protest outside of the White House
