Foreign Policy: Strategies, Policies, And Actors

1.Discuss the reasoning behind each of the following strategies and relate how each has been used in the past by American presidents to ensure our national security in the world: (a) Isolationism, (b) Deterrence, and (c) Preemption. Which one of these three strategies makes most sense today? Explain your reasoning.

2.What policies are in place to promote the goal of achieving economic prosperity in the global economy? What controversies and debates surround each policy? President Obama signed a free trade agreement in January, 2016 with a dozen countries that border the Pacific Ocean called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (see this link for an overview of the agreement). Soon after taking office, President Trump pulled the USA out of the agreement (see this NYTimes from January, 2017). Do agree with Trump’s stance, or was this a mistake? Refer to specifics in the treaty in your response.

3.Describe the international humanitarian policies that are designed to make the world a better place. Why can this policy be inconsistent at times? Should humanitarian programs be given more budget support and take a greater role in our foreign policy than security and economic programs, or not? Explain.

4.Discuss who is involved and how each set of actors shapes American foreign policy: (a) the President, (b) the Bureaucracy, (c) Congress, and (d) Interest groups. Should the president be given more independence in making foreign policy, or are these other institutions a positive counter-weight? Explain.

5.Explain how each of the following instruments of foreign policy can be used effectively to promote a more harmonious world: (a) diplomacy, (b) United Nations, (c) World Bank and International Monetary Fund, (d) economic aid and sanctions, (e) collective security, (f) military force, and (g) arbitration. Which of these instruments do you think should be given the most emphasis in today’s world, and which are less effective? Explain your reasoning.

6.Foreign Policy and Your Future:

In his campaign for the presidency, Donald Trump argued that America’s standing in the world had suffered due to cutbacks in the military that made it difficult to maintain a strong presence around the world. Consequently he has promised a $54 billion increase in military spending and an expansion of all branches of the armed forces (see his NY Times article from February, 2017 for more specifics). Do you agree with this shift in policy, or is it a mistake? In your answer, make reference to facts you have learned about foreign policy in this chapter, and be sure to explain your reasoning.

Isolationism, Deterrence, and Preemption Strategies

Discuss the reasoning behind each of the following strategies and relate how each has been used in the past by American presidents to ensure our national security in the world:

(a) Isolationism,

(b) Deterrence, 

(c) Preemption.

Which one of these three strategies makes most sense today? Explain your reasoning.

The American security system during the earlier times was based on the geographical isolation of the United States however it was separated by the oceans of European and Asian powers and during this time President George Washington formulated a policy in order to remain aloof from the foreign powers and the policy formulated was known as isolationism.

It was observed that during the Cold War the United States developed a new policy for protecting the national security in order to deter and discourage the Soviet Union from attacking the allies known as the deterrence policy.

President George Bush during his administration adopted a new policy in order to protect the national security which was based on the preemption theory which states that in order to prevent an attack there should be a willingness to strike first.

The policy of preemption can be applied in modern world due to the reason that in a hostile environment it is required to maintain peace and stability of the nation and should not be encouraged unless there is serious threat from the enemy.

What policies are in place to promote the goal of achieving economic prosperity in the global economy? What controversies and debates surround each policy? President Obama signed a free trade agreement in January, 2016 with a dozen countries that border the Pacific Ocean called the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Soon after taking office, President Trump pulled the USA out of the agreement. Do agree with Trump’s stance, or was this a mistake? Refer to specifics in the treaty in your response.

The major goal of the United States Foreign Policy was the promotion of international economy policies in a global market however in order to achieve this goal the US government extended the employment opportunities and promoted foreign investment among the allies.

The debates and controversies surrounded the areas of trade liberalization in industry and agricultural sector however it has been established that with the emergence of trade organizations like WTO and GATT which contributed in economic breakdown.

 It can be stated that President Trump has taken a step towards successful implementation of plans towards the national infrastructure, trade and employment policies in order to promote economic development and promote the interests of American citizens making an end to the structure of multinational trade agreements which served as a global economic structure for decades.

Describe the international humanitarian policies that are designed to make the world a better place. Why can this policy be inconsistent at times? Should humanitarian programs be given more budget support and take a greater role in our foreign policy than security and economic programs, or not? Explain.

The major policies that have been adopted in order to make the world a better place to live in are international environmental policy, international human rights policy and international peacekeeping. It has been observed that these policies has been inconsistent in providing benefit to humanitarian due to the reason that the United States spends millions on various trade policies however little meager amount is spent on the humanitarian policies. Humanitarian policies contribute to international policies however security and economic policies should be given much importance in this regard because of the fact that as a result of such policy many refugees may enter into the states which can be serious threat to the national security.

Policies to Achieve Economic Prosperity in the Global Economy

Discuss who is involved and how each set of actors shapes American foreign policy: (a) the President, (b) the Bureaucracy, (c) Congress, and (d) Interest groups. Should the president be given more independence in making foreign policy, or are these other institutions a positive counter-weight? Explain.

The President contributed in shaping the American foreign policy by making various treaties, appointing ambassadors and serving as the commander in chief of the army during national crisis.

The foreign policy is formulated by the Departments of State, Treasury and Defense by creating the National Security Council.

The Congress has been focusing on providing common defense during war and declaration of war at times. The legislative powers are vested with the Congress and these powers helped in regulating foreign commerce.

The interest groups has played significant role in shaping the foreign policy by influencing the society depending on their ideology, reputation and prestige.

In shaping the foreign policy of United States the President should be given the independence in making foreign policy because of the fact that the policy making bodies addressed here should interact with the President from time to time in establishing foreign policy.

Explain how each of the following instruments of foreign policy can be used effectively to promote a more harmonious world: (a) diplomacy, (b) United Nations, (c) World Bank and International Monetary Fund, (d) economic aid and sanctions, (e) collective security, (f) military force, and (g) arbitration. Which of these instruments do you think should be given the most emphasis in today’s world, and which are less effective? Explain your reasoning.

The purpose of diplomacy is to promote national values and interests within the nation.

The United Nations is an instrument for foreign policy to the United States in implementing its various rules and regulations.

World Bank and International Monetary Fund:-

The World Bank was set up for financing long term capital while the International Monetary Fund provided for the short term flow of money.

The economic aid provided for humanitarian purpose and at the same time promoted American security and interests. The economic sanctions are applied during any hostile regime when powers the United States weakens.

Collective security was adopted so that he states do not attack each other during national emergency and defend themselves against an attack of the other.

The United States has the world’s largest military forces consisting of the air force, navy and army which provided assistance during war and national emergency.

Arbitration is a policy of dispute settlement which is usually applied when there arises any dispute between states.

It can be stated that arbitration is the main instrument of dispute settlement because most of the international contracts contains arbitration clause which helps in dispute settlement between countries and therefore should be given much emphasis however the international monetary fund has little effect in shaping harmonious world.

In his campaign for the presidency, Donald Trump argued that America’s standing in the world had suffered due to cutbacks in the military that made it difficult to maintain a strong presence around the world. Consequently he has promised a $54 billion increase in military spending and an expansion of all branches of the armed forces. Do you agree with this shift in policy, or is it a mistake? In your answer, make reference to facts you have learned about foreign policy in this chapter, and be sure to explain your reasoning.

President Donald Trump made a sudden shift in the foreign policy by increasing the military spending by $54 billion and cutting nonmilitary programs by the same amount in preparation for next year’s federal budget. In this case it can be stated that proposals are too far in terms of domestic cuts and in terms of balance and could result in great failure and can be rejected by Republicans in future. The President in this regard provided economic aid to foreign governments which was highly criticized by the Republicans and the environment advocates stating that the proposed cuts is likely to devastate public health in the long run while contributing nominal in increasing national security.