Foreign policy is the conduct of one nation towards another nation Domestic policy is the government’s actions within the borders of its own country

The Constitution gives control of foreign policy to the federal government To keep one branch of government from becoming too powerful, the Constitution created checks and balances between the President and Congress

Has day-to-day control of foreign policy Helped in making foreign policy by the Secretary of State and other officials in the State Department The President has assistance from the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), the National Security Council, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Foreign policy of the President include: Serving as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces Negotiating treaties with foreign countries Appointing ambassadors and receiving foreign ministers

Has some control over foreign policy Done to act as a check or control on the President’s powers over foreign policy

Foreign policy powers of Congress include: Declaring war Approving treaties and Presidential appointments (a 2/3 vote of the Senate is required to ratify a treaty) Deciding how much money the President may spend on defense

Special Interest Groups: Businesspeople, political action groups, and others lobby Congress or contact the President’s staff to advance their views

The News Media: Newspapers Television Radio Public Opinion

The main objective of American foreign policy has always been to act according to the nation’s best interests Some of the factors that determine foreign policy are:

First goal is to protect the American way of life The U.S. protects its security through military preparedness and by participating in international organizations Nuclear weapons protect the U.S. from attack

The U.S. acts to protect its citizens overseas In the 1970s, for example, concern for American hostages in Iran played a strong influence on foreign policy

The U.S. acts to promote the American economy For example, the promotion of trade has been crucial to the American support for freedom of the seas

The U.S. actively seeks to spread its political system, democracy. For example, it consistently fought the spread of communism around the world

The U.S. supports the causes of peace in international affairs This is why the U.S. is a member of the United Nations

Communism Decisions about the use of resources are made by the government Private property ownership is abolished Based on cooperation where workers share equally Main goal is a classless society People have a right to own private property People are free to take part in any business The ability to make a profit Supply and demand help control the markets Capitalism