FOREIGN AND MILITARY POLICY

Wilson 20A

Objective QuestionsWHO GOVERNS? TO WHAT ENDS? Is American foreign

policy set by public wishes or political elites?

If only Congress can declare war, why has the president become so powerful in military affairs?

Why do we go to war against some dictatorships and not others?

Should our foreign policy be based on American interests or some conception of human rights?

Many questions Wage a war on

terror? Cells in friendly

countries? Mediators of others’

conflicts? New kind of warfare? World’s policeman? Roles of POTUS, Co

ngress, public opinion, interest groups

Democracy a disadvantage in foreign policy?

Democracy tip the hand of the enemy?

Democracy keep us from unjust war?

Democracy create greater patriotism?

Kinds of Foreign Policy Majoritarian – during wartime, we are all

in this together (focus of chapter) President is dominant figure

Bush in Afghanistan Bush in Iraq

Interest group politics – tariffs to support American industry and workers

Client group politics – support particular groups of Americans abroad Increased role of Congress

Power of the purse Investigation and criticism

Constitutional PowersPRESIDENT CONGRESS Commander-in-chief Appoints

ambassadors Negotiates treaties State department Defense department CIA, NSA

Advantage of getting this agenda passed over domestic policy

Ratify treaties Regulate commerce Declare war

More limits than other heads-of-state

Slower support in US

Imperial Presidency Strong enough to accomplish much or

destroy Mitchell v. Laird

Individual states have few rights Courts favor action over inaction

Lincoln in Civil War Johnson and Nixon in Vietnam FDR and Japanese internment camps Truman and Korea Bush in Iraq

Checks on Presidential Power

Economic or military aid to other countries

War Powers Act of 1973 War funding Intelligence oversight

CIA to brief Senate Intelligence Committee 9/11 Report

Surge