Foreign Policy: Theories, Actors, Cases
Chapter 1 – The History and Evolution of Foreign Policy Analysis by Valerie M. Hudson
Key Points * Foreign Policy: The strategy or approach chosen by the national government to achieve its goals in its relations with external entities; includes decisions to do nothing * Foreign Policy Analysis: seeks to explain foreign policy, or FP behavior, with reference to the theoretical ground of human decision makers, acting singly and in groups. * Classical FPA scholarship (1954-1993): Two generations of FPA * 1st generation (1954-1973) – work produced that created FPA * 2nd generation (1974-1993) – work produced that built on foundations created during 1st gen; self-reflection and
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Decision-making as ‘organizational behavior’ – basic determinants: iv. Spheres of ability of the actors involved in making a decision v. Communication and information flow vi. Motivations of the various players
5. What did James Rosenau contribute to FPA’s foundations? n. Development of actor-specific theory that would lead to the development of generalizable propositions at the level of middle-range theory vii. Middle-range theory: theory that mediates between grand principles and the complexity of reality viii. Belief that FPA needed testable theory; his suggestion was to copy Mendel in discerning genotype from phenotype with observation and comparison (Do genotypes of states exist? Would knowing about them give us explanatory and predictive power in making models of foreign policy interaction?)
6. What did Harold and Margaret Sprout contribute to FPA’s foundations? o. Sprouts suggested FP can only be explained with reference to the psycho-milieu (the psychological/situational/political/social contexts) of the individuals involved in the decision making p. Believed that it’s misguided to look at FP outputs (analysis of power capabilities within an interstate system) without looking at FP undertakings (strategies/decisions/intentions of decision makers) q. Undertakings
Domestic policy differs from foreign policy, which deals with a nation’s relationship with other nations, domestic policy tends to be more visible and often more controversial. The relationship between domestic and the other nations is also commonly linked by the influence of border security, improved infrastructure, surging economy, domestic culture, political, religion, social attitudes, and many other variables. American focus on national security strategies to protect the United States, promoting economic prosperity, creating peace through strength, and gaining American influences in the world. Our relationship with other nations can vary depending on each belief or values. A basic aspect in the relation between domestic and other nations is the importance of national identity and consistent needs to protect such values. Domestic and foreign policy can be distinguished as two separate concepts in international relations, because some nations do not have a similar set of objectives. Domestic sources play their role in the forms of compromises between social structure and elements of the government. The influence of the domestic policy forms the basis of foreign strategy. The relationship between domestic and other nations are separable in the sense that global politics play a major role in the modern global society and the conduct of states in
An effective foreign policy could be described as making alliances, gaining land with beneficial resources and
Foreign policy is how one nation deals with many other nations. The book talks about Ronald Regan trying to create foreign policy and then here you have congress like a bunch of ants floating on a log down river each ant thinking there in charge. Foreign policy from the way “How Congress Works’” says is set up by the president and not really. Having congress get involved makes foreign policy way more complicated then needed. Harry Truman was one man who was asked a question. A random person wanted to know who created foreign policy? His answer was that he did. Now this leads to a important example of foreign policy. This leads to John F. Kennedy and we all know what major foreign policy deal he had to deal with. It was the Cuban missile crisis.
Jingoism intwined with governmental policy and “a majority…of Americans…grant[ing] spontaneous consent to foreign policy militancy” influences policies related to foreign and national security in the United States.1 European history of colonialism and imperialism impacted the development of foreign policy and national security. In Culture, National Identity, and the “Myth of America,” Walter L. Hixson leniently critiques American foreign policy, while advocating towards a more “cooperative internationalism.”2 Melvyn P. Leffler in National Security, Core Values, and Power fails to formulate an engaging argument for national security policies reflection of America core values. In reference to foreign and national security policy, both Hixson and Leffler refer to the impact of hegemony, with Leffler’s mention succinct and without specific detail. In the United States, foreign policy leans towards jingoism, while national security policy develops from general core values.
vii. Does the article fit into an existing theoretical framework? In other words, what theory (ies) does the article address that was discussed
What theory do you agree with? How would the theory determine or influence the recommendation for action?
The era of globalization has witnessed the growing influence of a number of unconventional international actors, from non-governmental organizations, to multi-national corporations, to global political movements. Traditional, state-centric definitions of foreign policy as "the policy of a sovereign state in its interaction with other sovereign states is no longer sufficient. Several alternative definitions are more helpful at highlighting aspects of foreign policy
National interests are usually the main consideration for the U.S. foreign policy, which can divide into two different parts. First, to protect and prevent American people from any kind of attack, which is the most important and commonly agreed unanimously. Second, helping and maintaining the operation of the U.S. government. To ensure that the interests of national development are not being compromised, Untied States have more aggressively policy to protect its national interests. Some people believe the “the U.S. will use unrivaled military power to further the global counterterrorism movement and democracy as the core goal of foreign policy. Furthermore, the U.S. hopes that all countries and societies can choose the most advantageous political and economic system to themselves independently, to help those countries which have been used as safe haven by terrorism organizations to get rid of the chaos caused by war and poverty.”
The U.S. foreign policy was first established around the early 1900’s.This foreign policy was created in order to maintain a balance of power among nations and it is also the government’s strategy in interacting with foreign nations. America’s policy has been changing over time reflecting the change in its national interest. For Example, as a new nation after the Revolutionary War the U.S. wanted to maintain its independence from more powerful European Countries. During the time periods of 1898 to 1908 the U.S. was dealing with various problems with other countries such as wanting to take control of Hawaii. By the year 1899 the U.S. was involved in its first war in Asia. Three more follow in the course of the next century they were Japan,
A. Reaction to the Kelo decision and other examples of tension and variation in policy-making
United States Foreign Policy has always been in a constant form of metamorphosis. Gradually, since the birth of the United States of America, the country has been slowly evolving it’s policies and relations with other countries. The United States began its history as a insignificant isolated nation. It slowly overtime would change to what the powerhouse that it is today: A Global Superpower.
e. How would you analyze possible synergies or other sources of value not reflected in Liedtke’s base assumption?
American foreign policy has gradually changed since the birth of our nation. On July 4, 1891, John Quincy Adams addressed the Senate and House of Representatives during a powerful Independence Day speech designed to prevent an alliance with the Greeks against the Ottoman Empire. Although sympathetic to their cause, he warned against involving America in other states’ affairs, stating,” America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to Freedom and independence of all”. This paper seeks to evaluate the implications of John Quincy Adams’ statement, examine the trends of foreign policy and national security from the late nineteenth century to the present, and address current policy issues regarding
As with all policy making, many people and organizations have a hand in setting United States foreign policy. The main goals of foreign policy is to use diplomacy — or talking, meeting, and creating agreements — to solve international issues. They try to keep problems from developing into conflicts that require military settlements.
(b) While we don’t agree that Catmull’s statement applies to all systems, we agree with his thought process. In hindsight, he observed that both teams were operating in the same external