Foreign Policy A nation’s plan for dealing with other nations… Or How a nation plays with the other little nations on the international playground

Basic Goal of Foreign Policy National Security: Trying to keep the country safe from attack or harm

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Goals of Foreign Policy 1)National Security- keeping the nation safe 2)International Trade- trading with other nations- creating markets for American products, jobs for American workers, and getting the goods and services we do not or cannot produce

Goals of Foreign Policy 3) World Peace- any war is a threat 4) Promote Democracy- trying to encourage other nations to keep or implement democratic governments which tend to get along better with our own and promotes peace

President’s Role The president leads foreign policy in the United States He represents the nation to the world His cabinet and agencies help him do this by getting him information and carrying out his decisions around the world

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama meeting with Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain in g

Checks and Balances The powers to deal with other nations and conduct military affairs are split between the President and Congress The President is the chief diplomat and Commander in Chief of the armed forces He can send troops into battle He represents the nation to the world He can sign treaties

Checks and Balances Congress has the power to declare war Congress can prohibit certain military actions Congress controls the money

Checks and Balances Congress and the President often struggle for power in foreign policy Usually one has an upper hand- it has varied throughout history

Tools of Foreign Policy There are several powers that Congress and the President have to influence other nations and carry out American foreign policy

Tools of Foreign Policy Creating Treaties and Executive Agreements: –Treaties are formal agreements between two or more nations (the president can sign them but the Senate must approve them by a 2/3s vote) –The President can bypass the Senate by making an executive agreement, which is an agreement between the President and the leader of another country

Tools of Foreign Policy Appointing Ambassadors: –Ambassadors are official representatives of a country’s government –There are about 150 ambassadors –They are appointed by the president and must be approved by the Senate –The U.S. only sends ambassadors to countries where the U.S. recognizes their government

Tools of Foreign Policy Foreign Aid: –Foreign Aid is supplying money, food, military assistance, and other supplies to another nation to help them

Tools of Foreign Policy International Trade: –International Trade is trade between nations –Trade sanctions are efforts to punish a nation by imposing trade barriers –An embargo is an agreement among nations to prohibit them from trading with another nation

Tools of Foreign Policy Military Force: –Military force is where the president uses the military to carry out foreign policy decisions –It must be used with great care because it is a very powerful tool with a major impact

“President George W. Bush addresses the Basic Combat Training graduates at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C., Friday, Nov. 2, The President told the graduates, ‘...Our nation calls on brave Americans to confront our enemies and bring peace and security to millions -- and you're answering that call. I thank you for your courage. I thank you for making the noble decision to put on the uniform and to defend the United States of America...’”