POLS 1301-165 POLS 1301-165 2/16/04 2/16/04

The President and Foreign PolicyThe President and Foreign Policy

What is Foreign Policy?What is Foreign Policy?

A country’s official positions, practices, and procedures A country’s official positions, practices, and procedures for dealing with actors outside its borders.for dealing with actors outside its borders.

Determined by “national-interest”—national security, Determined by “national-interest”—national security, economic interests. economic interests.

Also influenced by values of society where there is no Also influenced by values of society where there is no direct national interest. (e.g., humanitarian intervention—direct national interest. (e.g., humanitarian intervention—e.g., Kosovo, Somalia) e.g., Kosovo, Somalia)

Foreign policy formulation, particularly humanitarian Foreign policy formulation, particularly humanitarian intervention, is difficult. Risk dangerous foreign intervention, is difficult. Risk dangerous foreign entanglements, and similarly, the criticism of inaction.entanglements, and similarly, the criticism of inaction.

Key EventsKey Events Washington’s farewell address – neutrality, avoiding entangling Washington’s farewell address – neutrality, avoiding entangling

alliances.alliances. Monroe Doctrine – Americas were “not to be considered as Monroe Doctrine – Americas were “not to be considered as

subjects for future colonization”subjects for future colonization” WWI – German subs attacked US shipsWWI – German subs attacked US ships WWII – Japan Attack on Pearl HarborWWII – Japan Attack on Pearl Harbor

– Beginning of globalismBeginning of globalism

– Reconstruction of GermanyReconstruction of Germany

– Entry into NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)Entry into NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Truman Doctrine – Containment of CommunismTruman Doctrine – Containment of Communism– Korea, Vietnam, cold war with RussiaKorea, Vietnam, cold war with Russia

Clinton – policy of enlargement – promoting successful market Clinton – policy of enlargement – promoting successful market democraciesdemocracies

Bush DoctrineBush Doctrine

"We will pursue nations that provide aid or "We will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with Either you are with us, or you are with the terroriststhe terrorists.. From this day forward, any From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime."States as a hostile regime."

External ActorsExternal Actors

Foreign policy actions directed towards external actors.Foreign policy actions directed towards external actors. Can be divided into four categories:Can be divided into four categories:

– IGO’s—U.N., NATO, OPEC, OAS. First IGO was “Congress of IGO’s—U.N., NATO, OPEC, OAS. First IGO was “Congress of Europe.” Evolved into the now defunct League of Nations and the Europe.” Evolved into the now defunct League of Nations and the U.N. Grown exponentially since turn of the century. (37 in 1909; U.N. Grown exponentially since turn of the century. (37 in 1909; 132 in 1956; and 293 in 1990) 132 in 1956; and 293 in 1990)

– NGO’s—Amnesty International, Greenpeace. Have also NGO’s—Amnesty International, Greenpeace. Have also proliferated in last half century. proliferated in last half century.

– MNC’s—Have greatly expanded. So too, has their influence. MNC’s—Have greatly expanded. So too, has their influence.

– Miscellaneous Actors: Hamas, Islamic Jihad and IRA.Miscellaneous Actors: Hamas, Islamic Jihad and IRA.

Who Makes Foreign Policy?Who Makes Foreign Policy?

The President—sets foreign policy through informal The President—sets foreign policy through informal powers.powers.– Substantial opportunity to communicate with public.Substantial opportunity to communicate with public.

– Shapes the direction of interests of foreign policy.Shapes the direction of interests of foreign policy.

The Executive BranchThe Executive Branch– President atop a pyramid of executive agencies and departments. President atop a pyramid of executive agencies and departments.

» NSC—Group of foreign policy advisers. NSC—Group of foreign policy advisers.

» State Department—Manages foreign affairs. First department State Department—Manages foreign affairs. First department established.established.

» DOD—Manage American soldiers and their equipmentDOD—Manage American soldiers and their equipment

» Intelligence CommunityIntelligence Community

Who Makes Foreign Policy (Cont’d)Who Makes Foreign Policy (Cont’d)

Presidential Authority in Foreign PolicyPresidential Authority in Foreign Policy– Constitutional Powers: Chief of state, Chief executive, Constitutional Powers: Chief of state, Chief executive,

Commander-in-chief, Chief diplomat, Chief legislator.Commander-in-chief, Chief diplomat, Chief legislator. What does this mean?What does this mean?

– Exercise substantial powers in directing foreign policy Exercise substantial powers in directing foreign policy through several avenues:through several avenues:

» Commander-in-chief of U.S. military—can mobilize troops.Commander-in-chief of U.S. military—can mobilize troops.» Chief diplomat—Most prominent representative of America Chief diplomat—Most prominent representative of America

and its values and interests.and its values and interests.» Chief legislator—Signs laws. Chief legislator—Signs laws.

– Framers’ fears of “Imperial Presidency” resulted in less Framers’ fears of “Imperial Presidency” resulted in less presidential authority.presidential authority.

Who Makes Foreign Policy (Cont’d)Who Makes Foreign Policy (Cont’d)

Congress—Also constitutionally delegated powers in foreign affairs.Congress—Also constitutionally delegated powers in foreign affairs.– Ratify treaties, declare war, appropriate funds.Ratify treaties, declare war, appropriate funds.– Concern with domestic affairs rather than international affairs &Concern with domestic affairs rather than international affairs &– Congressional organization (or disorganization) can hamper role in Congressional organization (or disorganization) can hamper role in

foreign policyforeign policy– These factors lead to a rather passive role in foreign policy due to the These factors lead to a rather passive role in foreign policy due to the

“fast-moving” nature of foreign policy.“fast-moving” nature of foreign policy. Delegation of powers to both Congress and Executive establishes Delegation of powers to both Congress and Executive establishes

checks and balances.checks and balances.– Constitutional principle of C&B ideally eliminates monopolization of Constitutional principle of C&B ideally eliminates monopolization of

power by one branch.power by one branch.– Examples: President is C in C, but Congress must declare war and Examples: President is C in C, but Congress must declare war and

appropriate funds; President chief diplomat, but Congress must ratify appropriate funds; President chief diplomat, but Congress must ratify treaties.treaties.

President can subvert these restraints:President can subvert these restraints:– Introduce troops without declaring war. Have not declared war since Introduce troops without declaring war. Have not declared war since

WWII. WWII. – Bypassing Congress has become increasingly popular since Korean War Bypassing Congress has become increasingly popular since Korean War

(Vietnam, Lebanon, Panama, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan)(Vietnam, Lebanon, Panama, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan)

Restraints on Presidential PowerRestraints on Presidential Power

War Powers Act (1973)—Passed to limit presidential War Powers Act (1973)—Passed to limit presidential authority to commit troops overseas.authority to commit troops overseas.– In response to the growing unpopularity of the Vietnam War.In response to the growing unpopularity of the Vietnam War.– Passed over President Nixon’s veto.Passed over President Nixon’s veto.

Three provisions:Three provisions:– President must inform Congress of the introduction of forces into President must inform Congress of the introduction of forces into

hostilities or situations where imminent involvement in hostilities hostilities or situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances.is clearly indicated by the circumstances.

– Troop commitments by the president cannot extend past sixty days Troop commitments by the president cannot extend past sixty days without specific congressional authorization.without specific congressional authorization.

– Any time American forces become engaged without declaration of Any time American forces become engaged without declaration of war, Congress can direct the president to disengage such troops by war, Congress can direct the president to disengage such troops by concurrent resolution of the two houses.concurrent resolution of the two houses.

Instruments of Foreign PolicyInstruments of Foreign Policy

Political InstrumentsPolitical Instruments– Include Propaganda—intended to shape the views of a foreign audience. Include Propaganda—intended to shape the views of a foreign audience.

Examples from the Examples from the war on terrorism.war on terrorism. Information with a purpose Information with a purpose» Disbanded Office of Strategic InformationDisbanded Office of Strategic Information» VOAVOA» Al Manar—Hizbollah controlled TV stationAl Manar—Hizbollah controlled TV station

– Diplomacy—formal communication between countries. Primary Diplomacy—formal communication between countries. Primary responsibility lies with State Department. Extremely tricky. Evident in responsibility lies with State Department. Extremely tricky. Evident in schism in approach to war on terrorism between “hawks”(Paul Wolfowitz, schism in approach to war on terrorism between “hawks”(Paul Wolfowitz, Douglas Feith) and “doves” (Colin Powell).Douglas Feith) and “doves” (Colin Powell).

» Can be multilateral (current negotiations with North Korea) or bilateral (past Can be multilateral (current negotiations with North Korea) or bilateral (past dealings with North Korea in 1994)dealings with North Korea in 1994)

– Covert Ops—U.S. is primary mover, although it does not appear to be Covert Ops—U.S. is primary mover, although it does not appear to be involved at all.involved at all.

Instruments of Foreign Policy (Cont’d)Instruments of Foreign Policy (Cont’d)

Economic InstrumentsEconomic Instruments– Foreign Aid—intended to bolster foreign economies. Also serve Foreign Aid—intended to bolster foreign economies. Also serve

to induce compliance with American policies. to induce compliance with American policies.

» Marshall PlanMarshall Plan» Support to PakistanSupport to Pakistan

Constitutes very small portion of American budget--.4 percent, Constitutes very small portion of American budget--.4 percent, well below that which is recommended by U.N.well below that which is recommended by U.N.

– Economic sanctions—”stick” approach to diplomacy. Restriction Economic sanctions—”stick” approach to diplomacy. Restriction of trade with other countries at odds with American foreign policy of trade with other countries at odds with American foreign policy interests.interests.

» CubaCuba

» Iraq pre-invasion.Iraq pre-invasion.

Instruments of Foreign Policy (Cont’d)Instruments of Foreign Policy (Cont’d)

Military InstrumentsMilitary Instruments– Due to its severity, disinclined to employDue to its severity, disinclined to employ

– Three functions:Three functions:» Deterrence—MADDeterrence—MAD

» Preemptive or retaliatory attacks. Examples: Iraqi war, Libya 1986 Preemptive or retaliatory attacks. Examples: Iraqi war, Libya 1986 following discotheque bombing.following discotheque bombing.

» Threat value—First Gulf WarThreat value—First Gulf War

– Recent budget request nearly $380 billion. More than the next Recent budget request nearly $380 billion. More than the next twenty-five nations military spending combined.twenty-five nations military spending combined.

– American military dominance unchallenged.American military dominance unchallenged.