When the United States is in the midst of a crisis, it can take weeks or even months for the White House to assemble its policy team and decide on a course of action. This time lag is a consequence of the enormous power and complexity of foreign policy. This article examines the forces that drive foreign policy, how the American government makes decisions about foreign policy, and the ways in which the United States has used its influence to create a world order since 1945.
The goal of foreign policy is to advance the nation’s goals and interests through engagement with other countries, unions, and international entities. This can be accomplished through hard or soft foreign policy tools. Hard foreign policy involves the use of coercive means to achieve a national objective, such as military intervention or economic sanctions. Soft foreign policy, on the other hand, is an attempt to attract or persuade others to share in a national goal through cultural exchange, public diplomacy, or humanitarian aid.
The president, as the nation’s chief executive and chief foreign policy architect, is the key decision maker when it comes to engaging with the rest of the world. But his power is limited by Congressional authority. For instance, he cannot declare war—that is the role of Congress. He can establish ties with other governments through executive agreements, but not treaties, which require Senate approval. He can deploy the U.S. military around the globe, but he cannot send a dime’s worth of aid to another country without Congressional appropriation.
About the Author
