1. Chapter 22 Foreign Policy and National Defense
"No foreign policy—no matter how ingenious—has any chance of success if it is born in the minds of a few and carried in the hearts of none.“ (Henry Kissinger)

2. What Is Foreign Policy?
Foreign policy is a country’s official principles, positions, and procedures for dealing with powers outside its borders.
In contrast, domestic policy is the government’s response to problems at home.
Foreign policy has an outward focus.
Domestic policy has an inward focus.
© EMC Publishing, LLC

3. Types of Foreign Policy
Crisis policy focuses on imminent threats to our national interests or values. Ex: Reponses to terrorism.
Strategic policy is the basic U.S. position toward another country or region or to a particular policy. Ex: Operation to bring down a foreign government.
Structural defense policy relates to defense spending and military power. Ex: Building more fighter jets, interstate highways, etc.
Economic policy affects the growth and health of the nation’s economy.
United States main goal is unrestricted trade.
Trade Surplus- Exports is greater than imports
Trade Deficit- Imports is greater than exports
NAFTA- Free-trade agreement between US, Canada, Mexico

4. U.S. Foreign Policy Goals
U.S. foreign policy has three basic goals:
Security: Defend the homeland
Economic: Encourage the growth of the U.S. economy
Political: Support democracy around the world
US holds a global role in the world
US is active in foreign affairs
© EMC Publishing, LLC

5. Your Turn
When the United States enters into talks about trade and import/export policies with another country, it is engaging in which one of the following kinds of policy?
Crisis policy
Strategic policy
Structural defense policy
Economic policy
Note to teachers: The correct answer is d.
© EMC Publishing, LLC

6. Who Makes U.S. Foreign Policy?
Many agencies contribute to the formation of U.S. foreign policy.
However, the president is most likely to set the foreign policy agenda.
© EMC Publishing, LLC

7. The President and U.S. Foreign Policy
The president’s role in U.S. foreign policy includes:
Get’s foreign policy power from the Constitution
Making treaties with other countries (Those treaties must then be approved by two-thirds of the Senate.)
Making executive agreements with the heads of state of other nations
Acting as commander in chief to lead the military
Usually the one who makes decisions regarding foreign policy.
Has the most power to influence foreign policy.

8. Key Contributors to U.S. Foreign Policy
Note to teachers: Extension idea: Suggest that students visit the Web sites of the National Security Council ( the State Department ( and the Defense Department ( Ask students to identify the current issues or initiatives of each agency or department.
© EMC Publishing, LLC

9. Additional Contributors to U.S. Foreign Policy
Note to teachers: Have students select one of the agencies listed and research its roles and responsibilities. Discuss any overlaps or conflicts that students may find.
© EMC Publishing, LLC

10. Additional Contributors to U.S. Foreign Policy
Executive office in general holds the most power.
Ex: Vice President more likely to be apart of a National Security Council than others.
Congress participates in U.S. foreign policy through:
Control over funding for foreign policy actions
The power to declare war
Senate approval of presidential treaties

11. Additional Contributors to U.S. Foreign Policy
The Commerce and Treasury Departments contribute to foreign economic policy.
The Department of Labor addresses global labor issues.
The Department of Agriculture promotes U.S. products internationally.
State Department in charge of foreign affairs. Has embassies in other countries.
Defense Department manages the armed forces.
© EMC Publishing, LLC

12. Organizations/Corporations
Intergovernmental Organizations: Ex. United Nations
Coalition of country leaders establishing international unity.
Creates international laws. But real power is determined by the military.
Nongovernmental Organization: Ex. Greenpeace
No governmental affiliation, but can play an important role in aiding government and society.
Multinational corporation: Ex. Microsoft
Does business is in multiple countries
© EMC Publishing, LLC

13. A Historical Look at U.S. Foreign Policy
Before and after World War I, the United States generally believed in isolationism (staying out of international affairs).
World Wars I and II forced the United States to shift its policy to interventionism (actively trying to shape international events).
U.S. is active in foreign affairs.
During the cold war, after WWII, the US followed a policy of containment (trying to prevent the spread of a particular political principle). In this case, communism. George Bush also promoted this concept by spreading democracy.

14. Your Turn
“The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop.” (Farewell Address, George Washington)
What would Washington say about all the contributors to U.S. foreign policy today? Be prepared to support your response.
Note to teachers: Responses will vary. Students might say that Washington would not be in favor of the extensive involvement of so many agencies in U.S. foreign policy. He favored as little political involvement in foreign commercial relations as possible.
© EMC Publishing, LLC

15. Match each scenario with the type of foreign policy that it describes.
Your Turn
Match each scenario with the type of foreign policy that it describes.
Scenario
Country 1 sends troops to assist Country 2 when Countries 2 and 3 are at war.
Country 1 pays Country 2 to not adopt Country 3’s political philosophy.
Country 1 does not get involved when Countries 2 and 3 go to war.
Foreign Policy
Isolationism
Interventionism
Containment
Note to teachers: The correct answers are as follows:
1. b
2. c
3. a
© EMC Publishing, LLC

16. Military Force and U.S. Foreign Policy
The use of military force in foreign policy can create clashes between Congress and the president.
In 1973, Congress passed the War Powers Act, which limits the president’s ability to send troops into military action without congressional approval.
© EMC Publishing, LLC

17. Pressures on U.S. Foreign Policy
Global pressures:
Anarchy of the international system
The balance of power between nations
Economic interdependence of nations- Policy makers encourage trade to help each other and other nations
Domestic pressures:
Public opinion
The media
Interest groups
Note to teachers:
• Global pressures
o Anarchy of the international system: The international system is characterized by the absence of an overall political authority.
o The balance of power between nations: The anarchy of the international system has three main consequences: (1) The United States is powerful enough to act on its own. (2) Other nations pose a military threat. (3) The United States sets a high priority on threats to its security and focuses on military goals.
• Domestic pressures
o Public opinion: U.S. public opinion is relatively stable, may be used as a factor in negotiations with other countries, and can shape foreign policy.
o The media: The media provide information about foreign issues and concerns.
o Interest groups: Lobbying efforts can affect foreign policy.
© EMC Publishing, LLC

18. Foreign Policy Strategies
Deterrence is used to prevent a foreign power from taking an action the United States does not want to occur.
Coercion (persuasion or force) is used to make a foreign power act a certain way.
Preemption is used to strike an enemy before it strikes the United States. (George W. Bush felt that the United States could not wait for our enemies to attack, he authorized this to attack terrorism.)
© EMC Publishing, LLC

19. Foreign Policy Tools Political tools include:
Propaganda, which influences the attitudes and beliefs of others. Political tool.
Media’s strong role in providing information.
Diplomacy, which involves formal communication and negotiation between countries. Attempt to solve a conflict with another country using negotiations and other peaceful tactics.
Covert operations, which are secret actions that can include military and political exercises

20. Foreign Policy Tools Economic tools include:
Foreign aid, which is economic assistance given to another country
Ex: Marshall Plan- after WWII to rebuild war-torn Europe
Economic sanctions, which restrict trade and are used to punish or pressure other countries
Free trade means not restricting imports. Part of capitalism which US hopes will promote democracy
Restrictions on imports are designed to help domestic producers
Military tools include:
Troops sent to a region in which the United States has interests
Preemptive strikes & responses to attacks

21. Foreign Policy Agencies and Groups
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
responsible for overseeing intelligence and participating in overseas secret activities
Department of Homeland Security- task of preventing attacks within our nation.
National Security Agency (NSA)
responsible for breaking codes and monitoring satellite communications
© EMC Publishing, LLC

22. Foreign Policy Issues
Terrorism has resulted in an increase in antiterrorism and counterterrorism measures in U.S. foreign policy.
Terrorism seeks to create fear.
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) embodies the free trade versus protectionism debate.
USA, Mexico, and Canada
Not all conflicts have borders. Examples:
Environmental issues
Drug trade

23. U.S. Foreign Policy and NATO
George W. Bush and the Secretary of NATO, 2002
Agreement to protect against the Soviet Union
Note to teachers: This excerpt is from the video George W Bush (October 21, 2002). The clip presents the start of a discussion of foreign policy between President George W. Bush and the secretary of NATO. You can download the entire video from the Internet Archive at
The video clip has been set up to play automatically when you click the forward arrow, space bar, or Enter. If you would like to replay the clip, simply click on it.
After viewing the video, ask students, “What foreign policy goals and topics are discussed in this video clip?” The answer to the question is “Expanding NATO, fighting terrorism, and preparing for the 21st century.”
© EMC Publishing, LLC

24. Your Turn
Rank the following U.S. foreign policy tools from most to least useful, with most useful being number 1. Be prepared to discuss your choices.
Propaganda
Diplomacy
Covert operations
Foreign aid
Economic sanctions
Note to teachers: Answers will vary.
© EMC Publishing, LLC