American Foreign Policy

Instruments, Actors, and Policymakers

March 4, 2014

• Objectives: Students will be able to define foreign policy and give examples.

• Question: what is the difference between domestic and foreign policy?

• Agenda: Notes/Worksheet on Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy Definitions• Public policy: a choice that the government

makes in response to a political issue. (terrorism) • National interest: What is of benefit to the nation

as a whole. (Dept. of Homeland Sec)• Foreign policy: policy that involves government

choices about the rest of the world. (We do not negotiate with terrorists)

• Superpower: a nation with nuclear weapons and able to project force anywhere on the globe. (US, Russia)

• Globalization: interdependence country-country

Examples of Foreign Policy

• Defense

• Democracy and Human Rights

• Foreign Aid

• The Global Environment

• International Trade

• Weapons Proliferation

• Activities in Regions of the World

March 5, 2014

• Objectives: Students will be able to explain the purpose of the World Bank, IMF, and WTO.

• Question: What is one of the goals of Foreign Policy?

• Agenda: Notes/Worksheet

Goals of Foreign Policy

• National Security

• World Peace

• Self- government (democracy)

• Free and Open Trade

• Concern for Humanity

I. Goal: National Security

• To remain free and independent• To be secure from unwanted foreign

influence• Includes the use of ambassadors and

treaties• Military• CIA

– Central Intelligence Agency

• FBI– Federal Bureau of Investigations

II Goal: World Peace• Promote peace and prevent conflicts

• Cooperation with governments of foreign nations

• Help save lives, money, and resources in foreign nations

• Give aid to foreign nations

III Goal:Self Government /Democracy

• Encourage the growth of democracy in other nations and regions – Fair elections, choices, individual freedoms

IV. Goal: Free Trade

• Trade arrangements where tariffs or other barriers to the free flow of goods and services are eliminated.

• The basic argument for free trade is based on the idea that each region should concentrate on what it can produce most cheaply and efficiently and should exchange its products for those it is less able to produce economically.

Questions-write a 2-3 sentence response for each• To what extent should American foreign

policy consider the national interest?• To what extent should the US utilize military

force to protect its economic interests?• Does the US’s status as superpower allow us

a greater latitude with regard to the use of military force?

Instruments of Foreign Policy

• Military

• Economic

• Diplomatic

Military Instruments

• The United States has been involved in only a few full-scale wars. -Non Traditional-Terrorism (Stryker Brigade)– Traditional v. Non-traditional war???

• In recent years: Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, etc.

• D.o.D., State Dept.

Economic Instruments• Trade regulations, tariff policies, monetary

policies-more effective than those of war. Trade Embargo with Cuba? WHY?

• Oil is powerful, important as the control of guns. Top 5 countries– Canada– Mexico– Nigeria– Saudi Arabia– Venezuela

Diplomatic Instruments

• Diplomacy=communicate and carry on relationships with each other.

• The US State Department is primarily responsible for executing the country’s diplomatic agenda. Sec of State?– World coalitions v. With us or against us

Multinational Corporations (MNC’s)

• Account for more than one-tenth of the world economy. Wal-Mart, Google (China), Coca-Cola

• Sometimes are wealthier and more powerful than the governments under which they operate.

• They often work to shape government policy on taxes, tariffs, and business regulations.

Finally…Individuals• Individuals can be international actors.• Tourists can greatly impact a nation’s

economy.• Students going to and from other nations can

be carriers of ideas and ideologies.• Immigrants and refugees can place new

demands on public services.

Final 3

• What is Foreign Policy? Give an example of Military Foreign Policy

Policymakers• The President is the main force behind

international policy.• He negotiates treaties (chief diplomatchief diplomat).• He deploys troops (commander-in-commander-in-

chiefchief)• He appoints diplomats and heads of

executive departments (with Senate consent)

The Diplomats

• The State Department is the foreign policy arm of the US Government.

• The Secretary of State has traditionally been the chief adviser to the President on foreign policy matters.

The National Security Establishment

• Department of Defense is a key foreign policy actor.• Secretary of Defense is the key adviser on military

policy. Robert Gates• The defense budget is larger than the entire budget

of most nations. $534 billion-(total is $3 trillion) • The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was created

after WWII to coordinate intelligence and information gathering activities abroad.-Truman, 1947

Congress• Congress has sole authority to declare war,

raise and organize the armed forces, and “power of the purse.” – Last declaration of war? – Dec. 8, 1941– How many declarations in our history?

• Ultimately, it’s Congress that writes the checks.

So…What does the US do?

1. Lead the World to Democracy

2. Protect US Global Interests

3. Build a More Cooperative World

4. Protect the US Homeland