Chapter Seven, Section ThreeChapter Seven, Section Three

““Making Foreign Policy”Making Foreign Policy”

“Foreign Policy”

“Foreign Policy” is the overall plan for dealing with other nations.

It essentially deals with four (4) goals for the United States

1. “National Security”

The basic goal of this policy is to provide “national security”, or the ability to keep the country safe from attack or harm.

2. “International Trade”

“International trade” is a key goal of the president’s foreign policy.

It helps create new markets for American goods and provides jobs for American workers.

3. “World Peace”

Promoting “world peace” helps keep the United States safe and our vital trade flowing.

4. “Democracy”

The desire to promote democracy around the world also helps protect the peace and security of the United States.

Foreign Policy Bureaucracy

The main bureaucracies that were created to assist the president with foreign policy:– “State Department”– “Defense Department”– “Central Intelligence Agency” (“CIA”)– “National Security Council” (“NSC”)

President & Congress

The president and Congress often clash over foreign and military affairs.

Foreign Policy Tools

“Treaties”, or formal agreements between nations, are vital tools to keep foreign policy.

The “North Atlantic Treaty Organization” (“NATO”) is perhaps our most important treaty (military pact).

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While Congress must approve all treaties, the president can issue an “executive agreement” with other leaders in the world.

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“Ambassadors”, or official representatives of a country’s government are very important in foreign policy.

The U.S. currently has over 150 ambassadors in nations it recognizes (or accepts as legitimate)

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Foreign Aid to nations in need of money, food, supplies, or military assistance also helps our foreign policy.

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Our most famous example of foreign aid came after World War II in Western Europe with the “Marshall Plan”

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International Trade allows the president to make agreements with other nations concerning trade and trade rules.

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The U.S. can place an “trade sanctions” (or efforts to punish another nation by imposing trade barriers) on nations if necessary.

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It can also set up an “embargo”, or agreement among a group of nations that prohibit them all from trading with a target nation.

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Finally, the president can us military force to carry out some foreign policy decisions.

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It can be used to protect nations or punish other nations.

This option has been used numerous times over our history.