(11) President and Foreign policy

Why is Obama’s relationship with Putin and the USA’s role with the UN of such interest?
1. He is a symbol of national leadership
2. Historic expectation of the President’s role
3. The electorate is becoming increasingly fickle and his response is judged by them
4. He is the Commander-in-chief of one of the most sophisticated military in the world
5. He is the natural co-ordinating point of resources
There are 2 key American beliefs that help to understand USA’s approach to foreign affairs:
1. Realism: the pursuit of national self-interest and often associated with international power politics, with the implementation of clear policies with a clear military, diplomatic or economic benefit.
2. Idealism: adds a moral element into a policy e.g. ‘making the world a safer place’, or ‘achieving peace with honour’.
What is America’s position within the world context?
1. Remains 1 of several world powers
2. Standing army of 200,000
3. 1.5 million servicemen and women (1/4 of whom are overseas)
4. Alliances with 50+ countries
5. Significant military and diplomatic status
6. But, historically, America is a country which valued its isolationist and idealist policies. Some have argued that America is not suited to ‘playing the role of world police officer’ (Mackay, 2013).
7. E.g. Vietnam War 1959-75 & Iraq 2003.
What is the historical context for the President’s powers towards foreign affairs?
1. Remember, when the constitution was being written, Britain, France and Spain were all trying to maintain control of Canada, Western and Southern America. It was written in mind that the President may need to use military and diplomatic powers in an emergency.
2. There was also an over-confident view that localised disputes could be handled, and larger threats were geographically too far away to warrant a real threat (3,000 kms of sea to mainland Europe).
3. Finally, there was a belief in manifest destiny – that America was destined by God to rule over the whole of North and Central America. This provided a moral right that the President should be able to act military conquests to fulfil the nation’s destiny.
4. Louisiana Purchase, 1803
  1. The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition of the Louisiana territory by the United States from France in 1803. The U.S. paid $11,250,000, it costed approximately four cents per acre
    1. He spent the money with out congress consent - Congress did not change
5. Civil War, 1861
  1. The American Civil War, widely known in the United States as simply the Civil War as well as other sectional names, was a civil war fought from 1861 to 1865 to determine the survival of the Union or independence for the Confederacy.
    1. Imprisions confered soliders would out trial
6. Prize Cases, 1863
  1. 63) was a case argued before the Supreme Court of the United States in 1862 during the American CPrize Cases (18ivil War. The Supreme Court's decision declared constitutional the blockade of the Southern ports ordered by President Abraham Lincoln.
How is the President’s power towards foreign affairs checked and limited by Congress?
1. All treaties require ratification by 2/3rds of Senate
2. Senior diplomats and appointees within the armed forces have to be confirmed by a Senate majority
3. President has the power to deploy armed forces in minor engagements, Congress has the power to declare war.
4. BUT, this is more applicable to domestic affairs and the balance of powers emphasises responsibility of the executive branch for policy. This means there is freedom of manoeuvre and leads to implications for the President’s role within domestic and foreign affairs.
5. The Case-Zablocki Act 1972, which requires the President to report on executive agreements (like orders) within 60 days of negotiating them. Must then negotiate witht the president on any amendments it wishes to make
6. War powers Resolution 1973, president has to consult Congress prior to the start of hostilities. If congress does not declare war has to withdraw forces within 60 days
  1. Congress are usually reluctant to use the power because they don't want to be patriotic
  2. Congress would rather the buck stops with the white house (the blame)
7. Judicary
  1. Youngstown Sheet and co V. Sawyer (1952) This was during the Korean War. Steel was need so Secretary of Commerce Sawyer, was told to take control of steel industry to ensure it was kept running. It was challanged but failed
8. Public opinon - post vietnam, Presidents have been cautious about committing ground troop to conflcits and policy may reflect an anticipation of unfavourable public reaction
  1. American Cubans monitor the admin policies towards Cuba
  2. Jewish Americans monitor the admin policies towards Isreal
  3. Kosovo 1999 air power alone to prevent american troop loses
  4. Right wing scrutiny over Cuban life of santions
9. Congress has the powers of the purse E.g The eventual refusal to continue funding brought the war in Vietnam to a close.
So, how is foreign policy generated?
1. There are three departments who take the President’s priorities and offer guidance to help implement these.
  1. The State Department
    1. It functions
      1. Keeping the President informed about international developments
      2. Maintaining diplomatic relations with foreign govt
      3. Negotiating treaties
      4. Protecting the interests of Americans aborad
    2. The department in the invation of Iraq
      1. Strongly advised delaying military action until all diplomatic avenues had been exhausted and support for American intervention had been built around the world
  2. Department of Defence (the Pentagon)
    1. Largest of all departments 800,000 civian forces + million military personnel
    2. Role is to assist the President in carrying out his duties as Commander-in-Chief
    3. The Secretary of Defense gets disproportionate influence with president over intruding into the responsibilities of the department
      1. With Bush when his two departments offered conflicting advice the Pentage usually prevailed
  3. Intelligence agencies
    1. The President uses the intelligence services to decide the most appropriate course of action in realtion to her allies and enemies
    2. There are 15 intelligence agencies, of which 8 fall under the responsiblity of the department of Defence with it $60 billion budget
    3. Over lapping does occure which has resulted in failure:
      1. The CIA failed to recognise the collape of the Eastern Block in the late 1980s.
      2. No agencies were able to anticipate and intercept the attacks of 9/11
    4. Reform happened with the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act 2004
      1. Created the post of Director of National Intelligence with responsibility to co-ordinate the work of all intel agen's
What aims has American foreign policy sought to achieve?
1. Historically there are two clear aims of America’s approach to foreign affairs. These are embedded as a result of America’s early economic development (whilst trying to avoid conflict with established European countries) and the religious values of early Christian settlers, defining the nation’s moral superiority as distinct from the self-interest of European countries.
2. The broad aims of US foreign policy are:
  1. National interest
    1. Fighting Britian in 1812, failed to end restiction on us ship in British ports and failed to capture Canada terrorities
    2. Forced spain in 1819 to give up Florida though invation threate
    3. Starting wars in 1830s with native americans, lead to expulsion of them from Oklahoma
    4. Got control over the North-west of the country, by a treaty with Britain, again a threat of war, in 1846
    5. Acquiring Texas to california, following the defeat of Mexico in a war between 1846 and 1848, and a purchase of land by the USA in 1853
    6. Purchasing Alaska from Russia, for $7.2 million, in 1867
  2. Promotion of freedom and democracy
    1. President Woodrow Wilson after WW1 wanted to usher in a shift in emphasis towards a more moralistic foreign policy.
      1. Some of the propsals were put into the Versailles Treaty
    2. USA leading role de-escalating tensiosn France and Germnay in 1923 though Dawes plan
    3. In the US lead Dawes Plan to allow Germany to cope with the economic impact of reparations
    4. 1930's US foreign policy increasing aligned with European democracies - Lend-Lease Act of 1941 - military resources to countries at war with Nazi Germany
    5. Pearl Harbour show unrealist for isolationsim in an age of long range weapons
    6. The COLD WAR foreign policy was dominatd by US battleing for values of liberty and democracy and Soviet values of economic and social equality
      1. The Struggle led to proxy wars between US and Soviet allies
      2. Marshall plan 1947 a huge economic aid programme for western europe to prevent turning communisted
      3. Military intervnetion in Korea in 1950s, Vietnam in the 60s and support for resistance fighters in afgan
      4. Cuban missile crises almosted sparked of a conflict.
      5. Detente in the 1970 to reduce arms and tentions
    7. NEW WORLD ORDER
      1. President Bush sr proclaimed a new world order of the principles of liberal democracy, free trade and the renunciation of military aggression to further foreign policy objectives
Type of foreign/defence policy
1. Strategic
  1. Approach
    1. General stance of the USA in relation to other countries over time
  2. Key features
    1. Post-WW2 period draws on realist/idealist themes
      1. Post 9/11 focus destoying radicial groups
        With the aim to spread Democracy and liberal freedoms once authorian regime are toppled
    2. There was a focus on opposing nation that support or fund terrorism (Iran, Iraq, North Korea), they were called the "Axis of Evil" and in over a year (2003) Bush invaded Iraq and deposed its dictator, Saddam Hussein
  3. Institutional context
    1. President, National Security Council & State Dept.
2. Crisis management
  1. Approach
    1. Quick crisis management decisions
  2. Key Features
    1. Berlin airlift Cuban Missile Crisis Reactions to military activity in the Middle East Gulf War, 1990-1 Intervention in Bosnia, 1995 & Kosovo, 1997 Terror attacks 9/11
  3. Institutional context
    1. President & National Security Council – but if crisis continues, Congress & public (e.g. Iranian hostage crisis 1980-1)
3. Logistical / structural defence
  1. Approach
    1. Heavy financial investment and the deployment of personnel across the world
  2. Key Features
    1. Less fragmented when compared to social or economic policy. Oligopolistic defence industries are protected by govt contracts & defence budget has powerful support in Congress.
  3. Instituional context
    1. Includes voters, organised interests (defence contractors), state/local govts, congressional committees, Dept of Defence & President.
President forgin policy powers - 9/11
1. What was the impact of the 9/11 attacks on the President’s powers?
  1. It allowed the President though Congress full support to do whatever military and diplomatic measures he thought necessary to defend the country.
    1. This allowed Bush to:
      1. Taking the nation to war in Afghanistan and Iraq.
      2. PATROIT Act, which extended the powers of law enforcement agencies
      3. Imprisoning "enemy combatants", with out trial
      4. Removing govt info from official websites
      5. Authorising electronic surveillance on US citizens without a warrent
      6. Secret "rendition" of people suspected of involvement in terrorism
      7. Obstruct the failed bill to ban cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of detainees
2. How has the power of the President post-9/11 been checked at home?
  1. Congress questioned the cost of the operation in Iraq and whether the pentagon should be involved in the reconstrution after the war
  2. Democratic majority in Congress pushed for a withdrawal from Iraq. The president pushed back buy staying american solider would die if dem stop funding
3. The judiciary role in foreign policy power limitations
  1. Used court cases to challenge the arrested and detention without trial of people classified as "enemy combatants"
    1. Rasual v. Bush 2004
      1. Ruled that detainees held in Guantanamo were entitled to the protection of the Constitution
    2. Amdi v. Rumsfeld 2004
      1. Ruled that a man held without charge as an ememy combatant was entitled to challenge his detention
    3. Hamdan v. Rumsfeld 2006
      1. Ruled that the detainees could not be subject to military trials without the specific authorisation of Congress
    4. Boumediene v. Bush 2006
      1. Ruled that the Military Commissions Act was unconstitutional as it didn't guarantee a fair trial

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(11) President and Foreign policy

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	Created by Marcus Danvers about 11 years ago