Part 1 Notes
isolationists
-do not want america involved in other countries -do not like long standing commitments to other countries such as NATO
grand strategy
-intellectual architecture or worldview that provides the foundation for foreign policy...big ideas [containment, democracy promotion and counter nuclear proliferation] the set of overarching ideas that guide the conduct of foreign policy these big ideas have been bundled together with a brand***
when defining global threats
-scope of the threat [narrow or expansive view] -identity of the state or group of states -characterizing the nature of the threat
negative rights
the duty not to interfere with a person's activities in a certain area [right to privacy]
Why US move to being a global power in 1890's?
• Domestic institutional consolidation • Economic interests: need access to new markets
American Territorial Expansion in the 1890s
• Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Philippines, Pacific Islands - War with Spain (1898) yields territorial annexations • Important transition in American foreign policy: Why move from being a continental power to a global power?
War of 1812
• War Hawks see British strategic focus on Europe as opportunity to conquer Canada and Florida • Military stalemate up to 1814 flames risk of secession in New England • Military outcomes and peace negotiations in Europe shape British willingness to make concessions that create peace in 1814 • Ghent treaty effectively restores prewar territorial status quo • Again, European war critical to American political development military was neglected so the military was weak compared to britain; governors varied in their willingness to deploy state militias outside the states; federalists used lack of military successes to flame talk of secession in New england
personal v national ethics
-EX: personally lying is a sin, but the nation will lie for intellectual companies (FBI, CIA)
imperialism? big business and fp
-US steady program of territorial expansion since 1840s [Tx. Ca. Oregon] [global beginnings in 1890s- philippines, cuba, caribbean, central america] [post world war 2- germany, japan, middle east, latin america, caribbean] 9post cold war- afghanistan, iraq] -one argument: economic interests [securing consumer markets outside the US and cheap raw materials] of big corporations have captured the state and shape fp interests of US; have played a large role in global projection and american power of influence US govt is an advocate for the open door; US has championed equal access for for everyone else in foreign markets -equal access for all firms in global economy to a market -in practice has meant access for american businesses to external markets to sell their products; and cheap inputs (raw materials and labor) EX: US 1890s [caribbean and philippines] wilson fights to undermine european empires post wwII [US fosters german economic recovery (french oppose); force british to stop limiting access to their empire] -interventions in central and south america-chile, grenada, venezuela -middle east- special relationship with saudi arabia, iraq shaped by oil
ethical problem solving
-What benefits and what harms will each course of action produce, and which alternative will lead to the best overall consequences? -What moral rights do the affected parties have, and which course of action best respects those rights? -Which course of action treats everyone the same, except where there is a morally justifiable reason not to, and does not show favoritism or discrimination? -Which course of action advances the common good? -Which course of action develops moral virtues?
when chosing means
-approach [uni or multilateralism] -type of means
ethics framework: utilitarianism vs. common good approach
-both utilitarianism and common good emphasize collective values [trying to maximize the good of a large group] -common good approach: concerned with definition of community and provision of public goods like security, public health, clean environment -utilitarianism: maximizing benefit/minimizing harm for most people -ex: ethics of containing ebola virus [protecting the common good of public safety for the american community (common good approach) vs. maximizing good/minimizing harm for the greatest number of people (utilitarianism)]
Bush's 2002 address
-clear statement of american fp interests -US has to aggressively take all steps necessary to stop radical terrorists from getting their hands on wmd -strike first, doctrine of preemption -clear commitment to halt terrorism in US and going after rogue states -support for fostering development of growth -figure out underlying causes of terrorism -issue of disenfranchisement and poverty -criticism of classical foreign aid programs -foreshadowing of Bush's commitment to fight AIDS -commitment to work with allies -importance of NATO
war making and expansion of presidential authority
-conventional wisdom: war expands presidential authority -important empirical finding: not just with respect to the prosecution of the war, also in domestic policy matters (congress votes closer to presidential preferences or policy goals) Howell, Jackman and Rogowski *importance of different constituencies -generate different composition of societal interests to represent -president larger constituency -congress narrower; societal interests can be concentrated on left or right side of ideological perspective *congress has national and district interests, sometimes compete -E.g. military bases in district after cold war *war elevates the importance of national goals in political calculations of congressional officials -move closer to the president's position, enhancing his authority and enabling him to achieve more of his policy goals -congressional uncertainty about optimal foreign policy choice also strengthens executive that possesses "informational" advantage -war give president more power at home because it forces congress to care more about national issues and it exposes them to their relative lack of information or intelligence that is often necessary to make crucial national security decisions *during crises congressional officials often delegate more responsibility to the president in part because they don't want to assume more political risk for being wrong in confronting these national security challenges
the constitution, presidential authority, and USFP
-executive authority over fp 1.president as commander in chief 2. executive power of president the framers intended for fp to be in the hands of executive powers -constitution gives president the power to make treaties with advise and consent of senate -Article 2 section 1 gives the president broad executive powers which most presidents claim to include predominance over foreign policy president does not run fp by himself because of the intentional system of separation of powers in checks and balances congress' specific powers in constitution -article 1, section 8: the power to declare war and the power to create and support [fund the army] LOGIC: -part of Madison's separation of powers and checks and balances system IMPORTANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PRESIDENTIAL V PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEMS -separate elections, separate constituencies -fixed terms, no "vote of confidence" for a president
from the articles to the constitution (1789)
-foreign policy and american weakness key role in move toward constitution -weakness also provoke attack -european war fairly regular: US in danger of being drawn in, more so if loose confederation. need to be able to enforce foreign treaties on states that resist -john jay: worry that state rivalry invite foreign intervention, alliances -commercial problems created by different state tariffs; could strength commercial leverage if bargain as an entire economy -absence of common tariff policy effectively undermined the leverage possessed by the rapidly growing economy relative to other countries -fp concerns helped to shape the domestic internal politics associated with moving from the articles of confederations [decentralized system] to ratifying the constitution [centralized system];federal government got more power under the constitution than the articles of confederation;national security was a concern -shift debate from internal distributional conflicts to unifying issue-national strength
components of grand strategy
-geographic scope of interest: regional or global -choice of means: unilateralism v multilateralism -hard [military force and coercion] v soft[persuasion, influence, culture, political plout, diplomacy] power -central problem to be addressed: --nuclear revolution and the threat of great power war --keeping the world at a safe distance --preventing the rise of a rival power --maintaining a hospitable security and economic global environment
steps in analyzing moral issues
-get the facts, appeals to values 5 approaches to deal with moral issues: the utilitarian approach, the rights approach, the fairness of justice approach, the common good approach, and the virtue approach
national interest
-guide policy -emerge from and define collective identity of americans -compatibility set potential for conflict/cooperation with other states -dimensions of interests: security, economic, ideational (values) -subject to domestic political conflict so institutions important role in determining
west point speech as a statement of grand strategy
-national interests -discussion of means -identification of threats -critique of rival grand strategies -assessment of state of the world
collective action problem
-politicians tend to listen to groups that are loud and gain attention in the media influencing others through media and have money; like minded voters pressure politicians -influences groups: collective action- organizing individuals to act in unison is subject to the free rider problem; the groups are more effective in acting together when they can solve this free rider problem[when people don't pay the cost of producing some good or benefit, yet still enjoy the benefits of consuming it] collective action and societal influence in FP -interest group influence inFP function of its ability to organize lots of voters -organizational capacity (and influence) set by ability to transcend free riding EX: national defense example: if relied on voluntary contributions to collective good like defense, would be undersupplied. instead, need coercion to enforce contributions collective action problem in FP: -societal attempts to influence FP subject to free rider problem -difficult to mobilize sufficient societal support to influence FP unless rely on group that has already solved collective action problem [role of selective incentives (AARP); FP ex: AIPAC]
Managing the foreign policy bureaucracy (I)
-president and national security advisor have huge role to play in coordinating all the executive branch agencies -state department, defense department, CIA, NDI, NSA, treasury, commerce, homeland security -problems when interagency coordination fails: mixed messages in runup to First Persian Gulf War undermines diplomacy and contributes to failure to deter Saddam's invasion of Kuwait 2.different agency head posses different foreign policy goals or different ideas about how to respond to a threat to which they compete for influence with the president -competing fp interests within executive branch -intense political: deciding who wins and loses -big implications for implementation EX: Post-invasion stabilization in Iraq: managed by state or defense? 3. when bureaucratic interests driven by their assessments of what the best policy might be to meet national interests of the US and their assessments of which policy might maximize the influence, or resources, of specific bureaucratic agency within the executive branch -competing interests among agencies generated by turf wars or organizational competition -bureaucratic power function of resource control [spend all resources so can lay claim to more next year] -policy preferences generated by organizational needs EX: Airforce v army in early stages of cold war
parliamentary v presidential powers
-presidential system has separation of powers; separate elections for chief executive and for the legislature. separate elections means a few crucial things 1. separate elections means separate constituencies 2.executive and legislative branch have fixed terms -parliamentary system has fusion of executive and legislative powers within the executive which is usually called a prime minister [the leader of the majority party in the legislative election; or if there is no majority party, the leader of the majority coalition of parties] 1. prime ministers only retain their position as chief executive if they maintain majority support within the parliament
the organizational costs to changing FP: the difficulties of free trade
-puzzle: given national income benefits of free trade, why govt restrict? -key beneficiaries: consumers -consumer poor advocates for free trade because of free rider problem and diffuse benefits -importing competing interests more successful at lobbying for protection because losses from free trade concentrated (facilitates collective action)
congress can shape the making of foreign policy in the US
1. congress checking the president in foreign policy using its constitutional power of oversight to limit presidential action, or even embolden it if necessary -poly sci research suggests that the extent to which congress engages in this oversight depends heavily on the presence of something we call a divided government (partisanship/party ID) research suggests congress is more active in checking presidential initiative or authority in foreign policy when we have a divided government
3 aspects of bureaucratic politics associated with fp
1. management responsibilities of the president and the national security council staff over the entire fp bureaucracy *NSC was created under the Truman administration to help coordinate the rapidly expanding national security bureaucracy that was being constructed to wage the cold war.
Webb, congressional abdication
9/11: significant change o institutional balance in US foreign policy making; congress expanded the defense budget expansion in executive authority important EX: 2008 Iraq, 2012 afganistan, libya congress is not fulfilling its constitutional policies in the implementation of foreign policy; allowing president to write quasi treaties and use military force without congressional consultation and approval 1. general claim that presidential authority expands during wartime 2. members in congress aren't prepared to be effective voices on fp [informational advantage held by president with respect to fp]
Why did allied wartime cooperation so quickly collapse into the Cold War?
Competing Goals: U.S. Goals: Universal and Ambiguous a. Maintain U.S. International Engagement b. Promote democracy, free and fair elections c. Promote free and open markets d. United Nations and Collective Security -US wanted world with open political system and free market economic system Mutual suspicions: Philosophical underpinning: World Revolution U.S. mistrust of the Soviet Union 1. Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact 2. Negotiations over Eastern Europe 3. Soviet Army occupied Eastern Europe Competing Goals: Soviet Goals: Concrete and Territorial a. Buffer zone b. Sphere of influence Joseph Stalin: "This war in not as in the past; whoever occupies a territory also imposes on it his own social system. Everyone imposes his own system as far as his army can reach. It cannot be otherwise." Mutual suspicions: Philosophical underpinning: Capitalist imperialism Soviet mistrust of the U.S. 1. History of Western Invasion 2. Western Intervention during Russian Revolution 3. Second Front Issue during WWII Individual level: Stalin's paranoia Maxim Litvinov, former Soviet foreign minister, said in 1945: "If the West acceded to the current Soviet demands, it would be faced after a more or less short time with the next series of demands." Individual level: Truman's anti- communism Harry S. Truman on the second front issue: "If we see that Germany is winning we ought to help Russia and if Russia is winning we ought to help Germany, and that way let them kill as many as possible, although I don't want to see Hitler victorious under any circumstances. Neither of them thinks anything of their pledged word."
the common good apporach
certain general conditions that are equally to everyone's advantage ensure social policies, social systems, institutions and environments on which we depend are beneficial to all
the virtue approach
certain ideals towards which we should strive, which provide for the full development of our humanity
compensatory justice
extent to which people are fairly compensated for their injuries by those who have injured them; just compensation is proportional to the loss inflicted on a person
international politics of american independence
external pressures of war in europe led to the colonies declaring independence victory against the british silenced talks of secession in new england, undermining long term viability of federalist party, allowed US to consolidate its fold over the NW territories relative to native americans as they were deprived of european allies native americans fighting to stop westward expansion led to centralization of the military in the federal government instead of the states in relation to Ukrainian and American independence, we cannot understand the conflict and how it has evolved or is evolving solely in terms of an internal struggle for independence between 2 sets of actors. Involvement by foreign actors have played a huge role in setting conditions associated with statehood and independence for both the US and Ukraine US was shaped by a series of world wars that started in europe. war made the state. -global conflict, originating in Europe -Great Britain huge territorial gains (from France and Spain) in North America -new challenges for the British in North America including French Canada [paying for the war; protecting western frontier] -increased number of troops from britain into america. created new need for revenue [colonies had great economic value to GB and colonies were heavily in debt to english and scottish banks] -lots of resistance form colonies so then british circumvented local authority [brought brits over to rule] -declaration of independence basically showed france that the colonies were separating from britain. -colonists declaring independence provoked a global coalition against the british -american military victory came from britain having vast territory in north america and the global coalition against britain -european politics and war, particularly the long anglo-french rivalry played a central role in the emergence of the US as an independent country -warshocks the political relationship between GB and the colonies -significant new taxes to pay for the troops [stamp act, sugar act, currency act, townshend acts, monopoly on tea trade] -political opposition, increasingly focused on independence, mobilizes in colonies -GB responds with new limits on self governance -key foreign policy goal to counter military weakness: secure French aid [loans a military support] -declaration of independence: signal to french that committed to independence, worthy of investment -alliance with france in 1778 [victory st saratoga in 1777 signals chance at victory each guarentees others' possessions in N America, no separate peace, french aid, french fight until independence, french get British possessions in west indies, commercial agreement IMPORTANT: alliance kills british offering of compromise peace france seeks to weaken great britian, but also wants weak US N. America Global coalition: france gets spain in, russia forms armed neutrality to protect neutral shipping (US can import) French aid and military support, particularly naval support at yorktown (1781), critical to victory British make significant concessions, including recognition of independence, because of costs of war and threat of continuing conflict in europe war made the state [Charles Tilly] [the experience of the american revolution helped establish the new american state]
country
geographic entity
justice
giving each person what s/he deserves -justice and fairness are used interchangeably
Crises of 1948-49: How did crises in 1948-49 worsen America's security position? What did it do in response?
I. Continued Evidence of Soviet/Communist Expansion A. Czechoslovakia (1948) coup d'etat. they wanted to participate, but soviets wouldn't let them B. Berlin Blockade (1948-49) C. Soviet Atomic Bomb (1949) stalin put spies within manhattan project and in the soviet union, they created their own; took away US threats of nuclear war because soviets not had that technology D. Communist China (1949) Mao Zao Dong won control of communism and brought it to china; huge setback since china is now the most populous communist state E. Korean War (1950-1953) II. U.S. Responses A. NATO [mutual security pact] B. NSC-68 [committed the US to a huge increase in the defense budget and rather large tax increase to pay for that defense budget]
Causes and Implications of the Truman Doctrine
I. Diminished Power of Great Britain causes power vacuum II. Established Anti-Communism as Basis of AFP III. Establishing American Global Leadership IV. Set Precedent of US Intervention V. Introduced Seeds of Domino Theory--> important justification for interventions in the domestic politics of other countries; made american interests incredibly expansive; stack of dominos is the visual but the reason why US intervened in the third world in particular to prevent the spread of communism (target country may not be that important but the stopping of communism spreading was) Harry S. Truman (1947): "I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures. I believe that we must assist free peoples to work out their own destinies in their own way." extends military interests of US to global arena
Marshall Plan and Containment
I. Economic Dislocation and Extremism II. Curbing Domestic Attraction to Communism III. Building on U.S. Economic Power IV. Aftermath of Marshall Plan -Series of crises favoring USSR marshall plan was a strategy to build west european economies (good outlet for american exports) and soviet union thought it was to also attract east european countries into american led global capitalism -critical example of how foreign aid could work George Marshall (1947): "Our policy is not directed against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of a working economy in the world so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist." *tries to connect economic and security interests *worked well *separated east and western europe
Who ended the Cold War?: Competing Explanations
I. The Remarkable and Unexpected End of the Cold War II. U.S.-centric explanation for the end of the Cold War A. Reagan's Foreign Policy - Did Reagan push the Soviets to reform? III. Soviet-centric explanation for the end of the Cold War A. Gorbachev's Foreign Policy - Was Gorbachev the primary mover? moved away from Brezhnev doctrine: declared the soviet union was committing to using military force to maintain communist regimes in eastern europe in the face of popular pressure for a change sinatra doctrine: named after frank sinatra (My way song) because eastern european countries were gonna do things their way
Mearsheimer and Wlat's, The Isreal Lobby
INTRO: oriented around this question: explicitly criticizes the drift in american fp that they argue seems to be aligning de facto fp of the US with israel open door approach- business interests capture the govt so that it pursues fp interests that are consistent with those big economic firms worried that the cost of special relationship with israel are more cons than pros and heightening challenges of conducting effective policy in middle east AIPAC play an outsized role in American fp discussions ans have pushed the US govt too close to israel AIPAC is like any other lobby, they just do it very well tremendously controversial piece Mearsheimer and Walt as theoretical realists -significance: national interests should be defined by external threats to the US; alliance relationships can be transient, subservient to these/ MAIN ARGUMENTS argument: unqualified support for israel not in US strategic interests and thus this support is driven by domestic politics, namely powerful lobby groups -israel is not a vital strategic asset: [supporting israel is costly-complicates relations with arab allies; adversaries, including terrorists groups, that threaten israel do not threaten US; support for israel is one source of anti-american sentiment in middle east; israel doesn't always behave like a loyal ally; support for israel was one of main reasons for attack on iraq] -israel is strong enough to defend itself in the region- doesn't need US protection -israel's democratic status not good reason to support it-US regularly allies itself with dictatorships if in its strategic interests -moral arguments-past persecution of Jews-not good reason for current support israel lobby is "shorthand for the loose coalition of individuals and organizations who actively work to steer US fp in a pro-israel direction" main organization: American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) -perceived as one of most powerful lobby groups in washington -not unique among special interest groups--they are only doing what other special interest groups do, but doing it much better -lobbies policy makers through campaign donations, letter writing campaigns, providing info -tries to shape public discourse CRITIQUES: -exaggerate the influence of pro-israel lobby groups -exaggerate the role of israel in US middle east policy -blame israel for too much that has gone wrong in middle east -inaccurately represent activities of pro-israel lobby groups
US FP in the 1920's: Was it isolationist?
Perhaps... • Senate rejection of Versailles critical piece of evidence that US withdrawing again from the world stage • Republicans push tariffs up, segmenting American economy (problem for Germany: made difficult to generate export revenues to repay loans); insulating american economy from european producers • Failure to grant war debt relief • Tight monetary policy in 1928 halts credit to Europe (Germany) • But... • Heavy involvement in Dawes Plan that stabilized reparations and European economy • Preference for relying on economic (financial means) rather than military • Dramatic success of Washington Naval Conference (1922) • Tooze (2014), The Deluge: Republicans as "Triumphant nationalists," unilateralists and exceptionalists, not withdrawing from world RECAP: US FP in 1920's as isolationist? • Conventional wisdom: probably yes • Most recent wave of historical research: No • Isolationists relative to 1796? Definitely not. Isolationists relative to what WORLD NEEDED in 1920, maybe a little. • Larger implication: Mismatch between how far Wilson had taken country since 1914 relative to new internationalist responsibilities and what US public willing to support in 1920 - This mismatch would have serious negative consequences for international political stability (Tooze 2014) - Failure of American leadership/hegemony *america was involved in european politics, but relied on private economic actors and access to american capital to try and shape political negotiations in europe
Posen
US needs to pullback from interventionist foreign policy American activism has: 1. prompted anti-American balancing 2. started unending conflict with nationalism 3. enabled allies to shirk on their own defense a restrained american foreign policy should: 1. focus on: preventing a powerful rival, fighting terrorism, and stopping nuclear proliferation 2. reduce global alliance commitments 3. avoid counterinsurgency [stop invading countries with partial goal to reform society to make them go against terrorism] must find other ways to combat terrorism 4.reduce the size of the military
Brooks et. al.
US needs to remain engaged in the world advocates of restraint overstate costs: 1. hard to calculate real economic costs, but US wealthy and still small percentage of GDP 2. countries do not balance against US 3. don't get pulled into unnecessary wars; US alliances constrain -alter distribution of power [threats emerging that could hurt America] -keep open markets -control allies in different regions forget real benefits: 1. keep the peace by deterring bids for regional hegemony 2. military dominance yields economic benefits 3. fosters multilateral issues on new issues
grand strategy is related to but not identical to partisanship, there can be different grand strategies among the same party and it is more abstract than specific policy
a broad vision of how the world works and how the US should react to problems
utilitarianism
a moral principle that holds that the morally right course of action in any situation is the one that produces the greatest balance of benefits over harms for everyone -doesn't care if the benefits are produced by lies, manipulation or coercion 1.identify the various courses of action 2. determine all of the foreseeable benefits and harms that would result from each course of action for everyone affected by the action 3. choose the course of action that provides the greatest benefits after the costs have been taken into account problems: 1. utilitarian calculation requires that we assign values to the benefits and harms that might result from other actions 2. fails to take into account considerations of justice
Kaye, stealth multilateralism
argues there has been a recent tendency since the end of the cold war for senate to reject virtually all treaties pursued by presidents congress ratifies treaties with 2/3 vote he feels congress rejects too many treaties the rejection of all of these treaties keeps the US out of international agreements president can work around senate rejection of treaties binding agreement- international agreement just short of a treaty that doesn't need senate approval going around congress only goes so far because certain things need the binding commitments of a treaty other countries become less willing to make concession to the US when presidents change course of actions when they come into power which is what makes congressional buy in so important -declining political capacity to secure senate support for treaties -president ops for workaround, executive agreements -limits willingness of other states to make concessions to US
virtues
attitudes, dispositions or character traits that enable us to be and to act in ways that develop this potential
Discussion: Golan-Vilella on AUMF
background: Obama argues in Fall of 2014 that 2001 AUMF generates authorization for war against ISIS because it is a successor organization to Al Qaeda in Iraq Golan-Vilella argues: need to revisit 2 key AUMFs -repeal 2002 AUMF, war in Iraq over; obama declared war over so the law and its authorization is no longer relevant -administration should name organizations that have legal grounds to use military force *revisitation of 2001 AUMF [law is too vague and risks granting executive branch too much independence indefinitely] problem: relative contentment in both executive and legislative branch with legal status quo
utilitarianism and the ebola outbreak
benefits: -relieve human suffering, save lives -prevent disease spread -prevent social/economic breakdown -prevent civil conflict -boost international and domestic image harms: -risk american lives -strain american economy -overstretched american military -distract from greater threats -political risks [failure, disappointment] -risk setting a precedent [where do our obligations end]
Webb and Kaye parallels
both discussed costs associated with more narrow/unconstrained executive action on fp relationship between executive and legislative branches are driving changes since 9/11 Kaye blames republicans and senate webb says both democratic and republican presidents do the same thing in respect to bypassing congress; members of congress are unprepared to be effective voices on fp
the common good
certain general conditions that are equally to everyone's advantage 1. common good is inconsistent with a pluralistic society 2. free rider problem 3. individualism problem 4. unequal sharing of burdens
separation of powers and fp
congress' specific powers in constitution -article 1, section 8: the power to declare war and the power to create and support [fund the army] LOGIC: -part of Madison's separation of powers and checks and balances system IMPORTANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PRESIDENTIAL V PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEMS -separate elections, separate constituencies -fixed terms, no "vote of confidence" for a president
war powers resolution (1973)
congressional attempt to rein in presidential war making power after the vietnam war 1. passed over president nixon's veto 2. viewed by every president since nixon as unconstitutional because it violates separation of powers lays out specific rules of when the president must seek authorization from congress and when he has to consult congress AUMF was passed in 2001 after 9/11
the constitution, congressional authority and USFP
congressional authority over fp is anchored in 2 articles of the constitution: 1. congress and declaration of war 2. congress and the power of the purse 3. senate and treaties [can block the president's treaty if over 1/3 objects] as time has progressed, there have been greater interventions without the formal declaration of war if senate had a party of 2/3 of the people in the branch, the people of the minority party (last 1/3) that doesn't occupy the presidency can hold hostage any treaty a president wants presidential overreach reached peak dissatisfaction during the vietnam war and congress tried to take back some authority through deployment of armed forces through the war power resolution
Congressional oversight-
congressional officials can rely on their committee structure to call public hearings that discuss and debate some element of foreign policy hearings in congress can provide a public forum potentially covered by news outlets for members of opposing party to criticize the president can alter public debate (trying to influence debate) pas legislation restricting presidential action; limits on how these policies are executed congressional officials can use their positions to grab the bully pulpit and influence public opinion about the president do this by influencing how the media covers the president congress holds more hearings about the president's foreign policy (designed to criticize the president) when there is divided government EX: patriot act contained sunset provisions that allowed some components of this act to expire forcing the president to come back and get a new authorization from congress
what is foreign policy for?
designed to shape: -beliefs as organizing ideas that foreign possess of American interests and their expectations of future American actions -cold war example: peace rests on stability of beliefs about deterrent threats shaping target capabilities -capabilities as the relative balance of military power between 2 political organizations -shapes bargaining leverage in a political dispute EX: war as a tool of foreign policy to degrade capabilities of other state shaping target interest: -interests as what states want -target interests shape scope of political conflict with US -US foreign policy directed at changing interests of other state shaping target actions -foreign policy as a device to alter behavior of other states -EX: sanctions against Russia designed to pressure Putin to halt support of separatists in Ukraine
ebola crisis and the 21 day quarantine
ethical question: should the government be allowed to impose a 21 day quarantine on health care workers who may have been exposed to even contracted the ebola virus when working in africa? common good v rights framework I: community good (protection of outbreak) v individual good (civil rights/freedoms) common good v rights framework II: democracy (majority rule) v minority rights virtue framework: self-preservation v heroic deeds of good will
executive order and fp
executive orders: -has force of law but not permanence -bypasses congress. congress cannot vote against executive order but can pass laws that undo them. But, president can veto those law -supreme court can overturn executive orders but only if deemed unconstitutional -future presidents can undo executive orders of predecessors noteworthy obama executive orders: iran nuclear deal, immigration, guns president obama's immigration executive order, Nov 2014 -offers temporary legal status and reprieve from deportation for parents of US citizens and permanent residents plus expansion of DACA program of legal status for immigrants who came to US as children. Effects 4-5 million (out of 11 million total) undocumented immigrants -currently being challenged in courts. Texas and 25 other states sued to prevent execution of the order and won in district court. SUpreme court heard case in April 2016
the fairness of justice approach
favoritism and discrimination are wrong
balancing behavior
foreign policy efforts to prevent concentration of power with a certain country or countries -established stable power among the strong countries
isolationism
goal is to reduce foreign interventions and avoid future commitments -logic: [american threats abroad are minimal, foreign conflicts can infect domestic politics, foreign intervention itself can create a threat, american first: scarce resources should be devoted to domestic problems] -critique: isolation allows problems to fester -threats outside our borders are small due to weak military in canada and mexico and we are protected by the oceans from invasions -foreign intervention/military interventions could create hostile/lethal threats [creating enemies] -resources are scarce so there needs to be a wise use of resources Historical Examples of isolationism: -Washington's farewell address [stressed maintaining commercial but not political ties to other nations; stressed not entering permanent alliances; America's uniqueness depended on being independent action on foreign affairs] -set against wars associated with french revolution -warns against foreign entanglements: antipathies or alliances -helps to set up a tradition of isolationism by recommending detachment from Europe -republican successors to wilson in 1920's rely on private economic influence, rather than political-military power -tax cuts, demobilization, and limited political involvement in europe -Theodore roosevelt: 1st term he withdrew the US from european politics in 1933 to save the US isolationism during and after the cold war: -isolationism waxed and waned with perceived threats and levels of US global power -much less isolationism during the cold war rebirth of isolationism after collapse of USSR as part of "peace dividend" -partial retreat again with emergence of perceived global threat of Al Qaeda -return of neo-isolationism in current climate
primacy
goal is to use unilateral means to establish american hegemony over all rivals -logic [american interests abroad are global; security is achieved unilaterally through preponderant American power; reliance on military power; can be marked by emphasis from a worldview that is primarily realist (material) or idealist (values)] -critique: primacy can lead to over reach and isolation can have a strong emphasis on values, particularly democratic promotion faulted for being to ambitious and costly, as well as harming american prestige abroad due to its unwillingness and reluctance to work with the global community EX: GHWB -grand strategy as a neoconservative variant of primacy -moralism associated with neoconservatism not necessary for primacy primacy about dominance not values to which dominance might be used to promote primacy is about dominating the military and political structure of international politics; preventing the emergence of any new potential competitor Primacy and the Bush (43) administration -clear willingness to use military force to promote fp goals [iraq; afghanistan] -skepticism of international institutions (Bolton) -democracy promotion -preserve military dominance over peers [dramatic post-9/11 buildup] -shock of 9/11 important [candidate bush as offshore balancer]
utilitarian approach
help legislators determine which laws were morally best 1. identify various courses of action 2. ask who will be affected by each action and what benefits/harms will be derived from each 3. choose the action that will produce the greatest benefits and least harm
lobbying and the free rider problem
in democracy, citizens and politicians interact through elections and lobbying (efforts to pressure, persuade, convince politicians to support a policy) [campaign contributions as important example of lobbying] individualls costly for citizens to try and change policy through lobbying or appeals to government officials [consequently, to try to organize lobbying groups or blocs of voters] benefits of lobbying victory (change in policy) as public good, diffused across society [public good as nonexcludable and nonrivalrous(my use of the public good doesnt restrict your access)] remember provision of public goods (policy change here) subject to free riding [lobbying undersupplied because individual don't want to pay its costs (like a campaign contribution)]
the rights approach
individual's rights to choose for him/herself -rights to truth: we have a right to be told the truth and to be informed about matters that significantly affect our choices -right of privacy: we have the right to do, believe and say whatever we choose in out personal lives so long as we do not violate the rights of others -the right not to be injured: we have the right to not be harmed or injured unless we freely and knowingly do something to deserve punishment or we freely and knowingly choose to risk such injuries -the right to what is agreed: we have a right to what has been promised by those whom we have freely entered into contact or agreement with
liberal internationalism
is a foreign policy grand strategy that has several key features that differentiate it from other competing grand strategies 1. main objective is to achieve security for the US by using multilateral means to create a liberal international order LOGIC -american threats abroad are global -security is collective and achieved through multilateral organizations and alliances -security is best achieved in a world based on western values: free markets, democratic regimes, protecting human rights -american intervention (with military and economic power) used to establish an american led liberal international order CRITIQUE it can be too expansive and perceived as imperialism 2. strives to create an international system dominated by democratic policies and dominated by a free system, political and economic liberty 3. sees international interests and its major security threats as global and expansive in threat 4. sees security as collective in nature; emphasizes multilateral over unilateral 5. emphasizes liberal values more than other grand strategies 6.extensive american military in countries around the world Wilson and Liberal INternationalism -champions [collective security system through league of nations; national self determination (anti-imperialism): focused on empowering people living under imperial rule to determine their own political fate; democracy; free trade; open navigation of the sea(for trade, challenges British naval hegemony)] -problems [how to enforce the system; couldn't secure domestic support through congress]'' Obama: -see support for multilateralism cooperation in west point speech -still supportive of democracy -willing to use military force -pull back from bush grand strategy of primacy withdrawing from iraq and drawing down in afghanistan -protecting human rights voting global democracy
geographic scope of interest
isolationism defines physical security of the homeland, avoiding invasion expansive global conceptions of national interest: internationalism-security of homeland and allies
Articles of Confederation (1781) was a very decentralized system
more like an alliance: loose union among the states, state loyalty more important; contributed to weakness of the US in comparison to britain; made people fear that european intervention would spark due to internal conflict between the state in the US -fears of external security threats played a critical role in the development of the institutions of the US; provided powerful tool-threat of external intervention-powerful incentive to generate the national consensus necessary to ratify the constitution congress possesses authority to control diplomatic relations, requisition money and soldiers from the states, coin and borrow money, settle disputes among states commercial regulation and taxation remain with the states Article 2: each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this confederation delegated to the US, in congress assembled
practical politics of congressional role in FP
partisan composition of congress and executive branch important divided government (president's party doesnt hold both chambers of congress) generates greater congressional oversight of fp (including decisions to use military force) partisanship: ideological identification of politician, generally thought of in terms of a left (democratic)-right (republican) continuum conventional wisdom: republicans tougher on foreign policy than Democrats, although rise of isolationism associated with rise of tea party wing changing this republicans tend to prefer a more robust or a militaristic foreign policy {more willing to use military forces;more willing to support an expanded american military presence around the world; supportive of high military spending; more willing to use military unilaterally if necessary}; rests on significant role of neoconservatives ideas that shape policy positions of republicans; tea party is growing in republican party--> towards isolationism EX: call more hearings; engage in public criticism; pass legislation that restricts president's actions; set conditions on spending bills to implement policy divided government leads to more congressional oversight: -electoral incentives to increase when opposing party controls white house -presidential info advantage: more likely to share info with own party, so opposition increases oversight to offset EX: congress and the iraq war, 2003-06; obama and syria 2013 congressional opposition can be effective constraint on use of military force IF numerous: president's less likely to engage in military force as opposition party gets more seats in congress (Howell and Pevehouse 2005) IMPORTANT CORRECTIVE: politics dont stop at the water's edge (what comes to issues of national security, or the deployment of military force, opposing parties rally behind the president) use of military force by the president it restrained by congress when a divided government exists as the party in opposition of the president goes up, the president is less likely to use military force in fp public criticism of president- through hearings or access to media important oversight role in form of hearings (constitutional power) [open congressional committee meetings on some element of foreign policy; presence or absence of divided governments shapes number of hearings] -agenda setting: public criticism of president can also shape public opinion of president by altering how media covers limited/ no bipartisan support : media focuses on opposition party and gives them the bully pulpit president's position on foreign policy is more moderate
state
political entity
neoconservatism
politically started on far left, moved to center during and following social turmoil of 1960's; moved right during Carter and Reagan administrations -original hero: leon trotsky (anti-stalin; stalin had perverted communist revolution) [were anti-capitalists;anti-liberal in the US, strong critiques of FDR] -anti-stalin views foundation for strong hardline stance against soviet union during cold war -pushed rightward by social upheaval of 1960's: deplored rise of cultural relativism; blaming of US; attack on universities by student radicals; opposed affirmative action political evolution of neoconservatives -frustration with realists in republican party on foreign policy (nixon and kissinger); prevent alliance with conservatives until Reagan's staunch anti-communism and escalation of Cold War; although frustrated with his willingness to negotiate with Gorbachev in second term -emerging alliance with evangelical wing of republican party during and after reagan [frustration with rising secularism and decline of personal responsibility (i.e. anti cultural relativism or permissive cultural mores); support of Christian Right for Israel] Foreign policy views of neoconservatives: influenced by Wohlstetter during Cold War [nuclear balance delicate, not stable; push arms races] big supporter of Reagan and his characterization of Soviet Union as evil empire; rollback (not containment) [frustration in 1985-86] Post 1991: embrace vision of American primacy that fuses American power with pursuit of liberal ideals [use US power to promote liberalism/democracy around the world; US should pursue moral foreign policy (supported clinton interventions in Haiti, Bosnia)]
institution
rules that structure how 2 individuals or groups with contending interests reach a collective choice EX: bargaining over congressional authority to wage war against isis operative institutions: -war powers act -constitution -elections rules help to allocate the roles, responsibilities and the rights of political actors in the bargaining situation- institution helps to allocate the relative power among these groups and helps determine policy choices that emerges from interaction and bargaining among them
grand strategy brand
series of subsidiary ideas, theories or assumptions about the nature of political order, the principle sources of security threats faced by the US, the definition of US national interests, arguments about the appropriate means to achieve those interests, set of calculations of how to optimize
selective engagement
shares key elements with isolationism: -limits american power -advocate more constraint foreign policy -acknowledge and embrace america's position as global power -more comfortable with diplomacy and balance of power politics ex: -offshore balancing -Eisenhower: push more responsibility for defense of europe on europeans to make cold war sustainable at home -pull back ground troops, rely on allies -increase reliance on nuclear weapons -worried about isolationists at home, thought could increase risk of war with soviets -GHWB (daddy bush) -cautious with impending collapse, did not hasten or expand US influence in E Europe (clinton got E european countries in NATO) -relied on NATO to reassure USSR and manage German unification -contrast with clinton and NATO
president appoints the people who are tasked with implementing foreign policy.
state department [manages diplomats and ambassadors] department of defense department of treasury CIA Directorate of National Intelligence National Security Council United Nations *president makes the final decision
us foreign policy
the actions and statements of the US federal government directed by some form or audience -shape beliefs, capabilities, interests and actions of their targets -foreign audiences: other governments, international organizations and nonstate actors -other governments will adjust their behaviors based on US interests or future actions TARGETS: private citizens or organizations outside the US
retributive or corrective justice
the extent to which punishments are fair and just
distributive justice
the extent to which society's institutions ensure that benefits and burdens are distributed among society's members in ways that are fair and just
US fp under Jefferson and Madison
the pressures associated with war in Europe played a central role in the development of the US during its first 40 years • Two key developments—Louisiana Purchase and War of 1812 Louisiana was originally granted to Spain bc France was defeated in the seven years war in 1763, american settlers flooded into new orleans and changed local politics there... these settlers sought incorporation into the US. Spain returned New Orleans to France in 1800 as a part of a large set of negotiations accompanying war in Europe Napoleon sold Louisiana in 1803 to secure additional revenue for the pending resumption of his war against GB and Jefferson's inability to preserve commercial access to both coalitions in the subsequent napoleonic wars would put the US on a collision course with britain and war in 1812 • Reinforcing importance of external pressures (and war) to American political development • Grand strategy consistent with Washington Jefferson farewell address: sought to avoid entanglements in the wars of the french revolution which was currently happening in europe -Jefferson's grand strategy was oriented around 3 goals: • National interests [States' rights; Commercial expansion (oriented around agricultural production); Territorial expansion]
problems with coordination
the problems with coordination revolve largely around preventing people or groups from getting in each other's way, so that they can complete their tasks
rally around the flag
the tendency for the public to rally behind the president and the cause of war at times of perceived crisis -nationalism:citizens coming together with the leader as a psychological form of self defense -.lack of interest/information: public ignores foreign policy issues; it is volatile and unstable -dramatic impact of foreign crises: if citizens hold weak positions fp issues, they can be swayed dramatically -fleeting nature of support: weakly rooted and effected by temporary events. most support is when the war is in its initial stages Bush spike in support at the beginning of iaq war and after 9/11; korean and vietnam war started with high ratings; persian gulf war had spike in public support
positive rights
they claim for each person the positive assistance of others in fulfilling basic constituents of human well-being like health and education
five ethical frameworks
utilitarianism: weighing benefits vs. harms [maximize benefits or reduce harm] common good: emphasizing the collective good of a community (depends on how one defines community) virtue: cultivation of ethical habits rights: emphasizing the rights of individuals fairness: fair treatment for all
impact of American Expansion
vital for the US to project power abroad • Expansion helped the U.S. project power globally through: - 1) land, which was a source of wealth and a place that a growing population could settle upon - 2) natural resources, which provided economic prosperity but also was important when mobilizing for war - 3) a basis for dynamic economic growth which provided a solid economic foundation for US as a global power
Mueller: The Iraq SYndrome the problem of sustaining public support for war
war fatigue and declining public support for american military intervention: the tendency for public support for american military intervention to decline over time high tolerance for military engagements, but low tolerance for war american public opinion became a key factor in all three wars, and in each one there has been a simple association: as casualties mount, support decreases 1.historical trends in korea, vietnam and iraq wars 2. immune to damage control 3. long term apprehension about future use of american military force
great power war
war needing the largest and powerful countries
Woodrow WIlson
when war broke out the american public and the leaders didn't believe the US had a direct stake in the conflict, they wanted to maintain isolationism, US sought to remain aloof from the european war Wilson originally wanted a mediating role but american involvement changed the course of the war
Commercial conflict with Britain
• American neutrality and the carry trade [2/3 of all exports; US profiting from war in Europe Illustrates importance of commercial interests to grand strategy] • British seek to cut off all trade with continental Europe after 1803; trying to impose economic pain as part of total war strategy • Jefferson embargoes US trade with Europe, partly as punitive, economic alternative to war [Prompts internal political crisis in the United States] thought economic withdrawal will keep america out of war with europe
connecting the american and french revolutions through war
• Fiscal strain of Seven Year War prompts Britain to alter relationship with colonies to secure new revenue sources which prompted revolt -American Revolution (1756-1763) -period of 23-25 years of european war helps to prompt american withdrawal from european politics -Washington's farewell address warns of the dangers associated with getting drawn into war in europe, he didnt know whether the US could survive given that 2 dominant parties at the time were aligning with different forms of government, washington constructed what was later described as isolationist grand strategy • Fiscal strain of American Revolutionary War forces French government to call Estates General to secure new revenues • Helps unleash French Revolution and subsequent wars (1792-1802, 1803-1815)
Louisiana Purchase
• French lose control 1763, reestablish in 1800 • Sources of French geopolitical weakness in North America [Haiti; War in principal theater of Europe; Jefferson's threats to ally with Britain;American settlers in New Orleans] • Pending resumption of European war creates French need for additional revenue
Historical Overview of US FP: The Cold Wa
• George Kennan and Containment Kennan & the Sources of Soviet Conduct: Why did the Soviet Union behave the way it did? I. Kennan's View of Soviet Union A. Patience and Marxist Ideology [soviet union would be antagonistic towards the US and its allies] B. Dictatorship and the need for an external enemy C. Containment as a contest between rival political systems; if one faced a threat that was like water that would flow wherever it was allowed to flow but could be turned back by obstacles then the proper strategy was vigilant containment of the threat to provide it reasons to retreat and never any incentives to probe the resolve of the US -based on Kennan's definition of the soviet threat, US created containment strategy which would serve as the pillar of US foreign policy throughout the cold war; aimed at wearing down the soviet union by keeping it from expanding in Kennan's eyes, the soviet union was seens as persistent but patient, expansionary but cautious, always probing and applying pressure but willing to retreat in the face of overwhelming counterforce A. soviet union's ideology, Marxism-Leninism [capitalism will ultimately fail due to the gross inequality] demonized the US causing innate antagonism. time was on their side so they could be patient B. authoritarian system established by Lenin in 1917 and solidified and intensified by Stalin required an external enemy to justify the centralization of power and coercion; external enemies in capitalist encirclement demanded the soviet state remained vigilant, centralized and authoritarian "It would be an exaggeration to say that American behavior unassisted and alone could exercise a power of life and death over the Communist movement and bring about the early fall of Soviet power in Russia. But the United States has it in its power to increase enormously the strains under which Soviet policy must operate, to force upon the Kremlin a far greater degree of moderation and circumspection than it has had to observe in recent years, and in this way to promote tendencies which must eventually find their outlet in either the breakup or the gradual mellowing of Soviet power... The issue of Soviet-American relations is in essence a test of the overall worth of the United States as a nation among nations. To avoid destruction the United States need only to measure up to its own best traditions and prove itself worthy of preservation as a great nation." (Kennan, p. 868) Kennen argued the US could NOT defeat the soviet union at that time militarily and would not be able to in the foreseeable future; saw the cold war as an extended conflict that would stretch over years • Early Cold War crisis • The German problem and the Cold War in Europe • What was the German problem? -a politically united Germany challenged european political stability and pease bc it is both threatening to its neighbors and germany is also threatened by its neighbors -germany is threatening because it is the strongest military and economic power in europe; successful wars from 1864 to 1871 that unified germany How did it contribute to the Cold War? How was it resolved? • Unified Germany in Europe both threatening and threatened - Concentration of economic, military, and political power in central Europe after consolidation of German empire under Bismarck in 1871 • Solved before by German fragmentation/weakness • German security problem: challenges associated with fighting a two-front war i.e. being surrounded - Creates incentives for territorial expansion for buffer zones • Franco-Polish-Czech-Russo security problem: German economic and military strength significant threat - They want territorial buffers • At heart of World War I, World War II, and the Cold War: How to reach stable territorial and political equilibrium in Europe? How did the German problem shape (cause) the Cold War in Europe? • Cold War in Europe driven by fundamentally different strategies to solve the German Problem • American solution: partition [split germany up into east and west; military integration in west; soviets occupied east germany], occupy, democratize West Germany and integrate it economically and militarily in Western alliance • Soviet solution: partition, occupy, Communize East Germany and integrate it economically and militarily in Soviet-led bloc • American concerns: Would Soviets retake West Berlin? Invade Western Europe? - Berlin as important signal of American commitment to defend Western Europe from soviet invasion • Soviet concerns: Integrated in the West, would West Germany reconstitute economic and military power and attack Soviet Union? - Aggravated by Eisenhower willingness to rearm Germany, maybe even with nukes - Integrated W. Germany make American sphere stronger Manifestations of the German problem in the Cold War • Berlin Crisis (1948) • Berlin Crises (1958-1962) • Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) [connected to the struggle over berlin and west germany] • Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963) - Marc Trachtenberg, A Constructed Peace EIsenhower considers giving nuclear weapons to west germany which causes panic in moscow Berlin crisis remained unresolved because of U2 that was shot down from flying over russia • The Cold War in the Third World: Why was it harder to contain Soviet influence? I. Proxy Wars A. U.S. fought long wars in Korea, Vietnam to prevent communism from spreading to those countries B. Soviet Union fought in Afghanistan to install a communist regime II. Covert Actions [CIA primary played a part in trying to control governments] A. Staging and/or Aiding Rebellions III. Supporting Friendly Regimes that furthers economic interests [authoritarian regimes, right wing anti-communist dictatorships] A. Foreign and Military Aid B. U.S. Support for Anti-Communist Dictatorships Advantages of Containment in Europe vs third world I. europe had more Acceptance of US Involvement II. Immediacy of External Soviet Threat made american intervention there more vital III. Political, Cultural, and Historical Ties to europe and US was more familiar with europe Problems for Containment in the Third World I. Rejection of American intervention A. The West as an Imperial Power B. Communism as liberation ideology 1. Lenin's Theory of Imperialism II. Domestic threat of communist insurgency A. Lack of modernization and democratization B. Problems with military intervention 1. Issue of political will 2. Unconventional Warfare • Reagan, Gorbachev, and the end of the Cold War Reagan I. Reagan Foreign Policy I - Confrontation 1. Rhetoric -- Renewed Confrontation 2. Arms Buildup 3. Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) 4. The Reagan Doctrine II. Reagan Foreign Policy II - Negotiation 1. Cooling the Rhetoric, Embracing Soviet Reform 2. Arms Control "Here's my strategy on the Cold War: We win, they lose." - Ronald Reagan "I believe that communism is another sad, bizarre chapter in human history whose last pages even now are being written." (Reagan, "evil empire speech", 1983) "Just suppose with me for a moment that an Ivan and an Anya could find themselves, oh, say, in a waiting room, or sharing a shelter from the rain or a storm with a Jim and Sally... Would they then debate the differences between their respective governments? Or would they find themselves comparing notes about their children and what each other did for a living?" (Reagan 1984) Asked if he still considered the USSR as an evil empire: "No, I was talking about another time, another era." (Reagan, 1988) Gorbachev I. Gorbachev as crucial "first mover" in end of the CW II. Gorbachev's "New Thinking" - New ideas about security III. Ending Hegemony in Eastern Europe 1. Sinatra Doctrine IV. Consequences of the Sinatra Doctrine 1. Enabling and accelerating the collapse of communism 2. Contributing to the collapse of the Soviet Union a. Loss of empire and prestige b. Providing a model for ending communism in the USSR "And so, in the end, he gave up an ideology, an empire, and his own country, in preference to using force. He chose love over fear, violating Machiavelli's advice for princes and thereby ensuring that he ceased to be one. It made little sense in traditional geopolitical terms. But it did make him the most deserving recipient ever of the Nobel Peace Prize." (John Lewis Gaddis, The Cold War, 2006)
RECAP: How did the German problem shape the Cold War?
• Germany and the connections among Wars of German Unification, World War I, World War II, and Cold War [cold war started to solve the german problem] • Germany at the center of struggle for influence in Europe between US and USSR • German problem and Cold War in Europe settled (1964) via partition, occupation, and nuclear compromise • Cold War competition then moves out of Europe... -test ban treaty of 1963 becomes the magic solution to this crisis
The Great Depression
• Great Depression dramatic, global economic downturn from 1928-1934 (or so) • Elements - Collapsing industrial production, falling agricultural prices (75% drop from 1925-1932), rising unemployment (over 30% in some place), international trade contracts significantly (50% drop for some countries) how did US contribute? • Tight monetary policy (pushes interest rates up) by Federal Reserve in 1928 halts loans to Germany (big implications for reparations) • Smoot-Hawley (1929): high tariffs provoke reciprocal measures in world and global trade collapses • FDR (1933): takes US off gold standard to offset deflation (foster inflation);temporary isolationism -american public was frustrated with europe so public wanted a stop in engaging in international affairs international political consequences? • FDR and US withdrawal from Europe (isolationist from 1933 to 1938) - Congress passes series of Neutrality Acts (1935, 1936, 1937) • German government makes collapse worse by pursuing austerity (dramatic spending cuts, tax hikes, high interest rates) and creates political space for Hitler's Nazi Party to seize government through legal, constitutional means - Hitler then uses rearmament to generate economic recovery, which leads directly to WWII
Why expand in 1890's? (I) Civil War legacy
• Have to understand domestic institutions - War fatigue from Civil War turns U.S. inward to focus on consolidation (war made the state); reconstruction was used to expand federal authority relative to the states; fiscal restraint for over 30 years, US wanted to expand, but they needed to tend to domestic issues and reconstruction first • Institutional prerequisites for expansion: solidify federal authority over the states, executive authority over Congress, and build up federal bureaucracy executive branch didn't oversee a large bureaucracy capable of implementing a more expansive fp RECAP -domestic institutional consolidation -economic interests: need access to new markets Fareed Zakaria argues that there was a long pause in American foreign policy after the civil war bc domestic politics still produced an isolationist fp; federal government was weak relative to the states bc limited fiscal resources by choice and limited from undertaking a bolder fp bc of divided government and congressional desire to control fp
Why expand in 1890's? (II) Depression, Overproduction, and Economic Interests
• Important role of business interests • Need new foreign markets, many of which closed because of European colonialism, to cure problem of overproduction and deflation - Important component policies: high tariffs to increase revenue for military spending and raise domestic prices, naval spending, territorial annexations • Acquire foreign markets through territorial expansion bc european powers were already doing this; politically easier than domestic reform in aftermath of economic crisis;build a big new navy capable of extending protection to the new territories and the US should raise tariffs to generate the revenues necessary to pay for naval expansion and to raise domestic prices by keeping foreign products out of the american market deflation is bad bc it can undermine economic growth according to LaFeber's eyes, business pushed the American government to respond to the extended economic business pushed the american government to respond to the extended economic downturn by appealing to the nationalists causes that would both expand the american market while keeping it insulated from european competition behind tariff walls
How does domestic politics shape American entry into World War II
• Isolationist sentiment in US still strong following outbreak of war in Europe in 1939 - 80% still opposed to entering war in Autumn 1941, but strong majority wanted Axis defeated • FDR wants to support Great Britain and confront Hitler but constrained by Neutrality acts - Designed to limit executive authority and preserve nonintervention • FDR delicate game of expanding US support for British war effort while not publicly committing US to fight the war - Sep 1939: gets Congress to repeal arms embargo of Neutrality Acts - US Navy patrolling Atlantic (skirmishes with German navy in fall of 1941) - Destroyers for naval bases deal with British by executive order (Sep 1940) - Lend Lease (March 1941): US as arsenal for democracy • Domestic constraints fall away with Pearl Harbor
Main principles of the monroe doctrine
• Main principles of the Monroe Doctrine: • The Western Hemisphere was no longer open for colonization • Drew a line between colonies and newly independent Latin American states, extending American protection against European interference only to the latter • Dual message: - Asserted sphere of influence - Would refrain from participation in European wars and would not disturb existing colonies in Western Hemisphere -monroe declared a sphere of influence for US over latin america; US stays out of european wars and would disturb existing colonies in latin america GB supported monroe doctrine WHY • Why did the U.S. assert the Monroe Doctrine when it did? - Latin American independence movements - Developments in Europe • Napoleonic Wars, Holy Alliance (Russia, Prussia, Austria), and fear of return of monarchy • Balance of power system in Europe allowed for greater assertiveness - British help • U.S. too weak to enforce the Monroe Doctrine but Great Britain and the British Navy enforced it for them IMPORTANCE • Key Moment of Evolution of U.S. foreign policy - An assertive United States enters the world stage • Introduces key concepts/ideals: - Sphere of influence - Anti-colonialism, Protection of democracy - Basis for American imperialism? sewed seeds of american imperialism • Roosevelt Corollary [claiming the US would use international police power and intervene militarily to stop unrest and instability in Latin American states; would establish a precedent for US meddling to protect its interests]
John Quincey Adams and the Monroe Doctrine
• One of the most successful Secretaries of State • Vision: Ardent expansionist who foresaw and strove for continental domination for the U.S. • But, careful not to involve the U.S. in foreign adventures: - "[America] goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own." • Architect of Monroe Doctrine
The American Civil War as an International Event
• The American Civil War and the survival of democratic governance • European powers and the American Civil War - European powers' role in the fate of the Union • Britain and France neutral but favored the Confederacy; Russia supported the Union bc Russia was following its own national interests (saw US as necessary counterweight to GB); if any of these countries intervened, the outcome could have swayed. Britain staying out of the conflict was the first step to recognition of the South as independent country from the North • Union diplomacy: Industrial base with economic ties [better trading partner] and anti-slavery [made it almost impossible for European nations to side with confederacy because then they would be for slavery] • Confederate diplomacy: King Cotton [reliance of world market on single cash crop] the world watched to see if america as a country and idea would crumble. one of the few countries with democracies and democracies were seen as a threat to long term security and stability because those in power saw this stability as better achieved by centralized states without limited or even absent popular participation the spring of nations--> people in europe protesting to have democracies; but these were beaten back by authoritarian regimes, empires and reactionary forces. europe said individualism was wedded with nationalism
World War I
• War breaks out between Germany/Austria-Hungary and Russia/France/Great Britain in 1914, ends in November 1918 -war started bc young bosnian serb (Gavrilo Princip) assassinated the archduke of the austro-hungarian empire (Franz Ferdinand) so austria-hungary declared war on serbia. this balkan conflict sparked a world war due to the networks of interlocking alliances • American intervention in 1917 changes course of war, sets up its termination Why did the US enter World War I? • Woodrow Wilson consistently works to keep US out, campaigns on this in 1916 election - E.g. Peace Without Victory Speech • German submarine campaign shifts public opinion, makes it politically impossible to stay out of war • Wilson also wants to shape the terms of the peace -wilson had to reverse course of action in 1917 bc the germans forced his hand. the german military opted to implement unrestricted submarine warfare against merchant shipping in the oceans off the coast of europe in january 1917 [more american merchant vessels were going to get sunk leading to more americans dying] -US entered WWI bc germans provoked them by attacking american shipping -League of Nations How did US entry shape the consequences of World War I? • Military consequences: Shifts in balance of military power alters German perceptions of potential for victory • Political consequences: - War and Wilson's support of self-determination facilitates • Imperial collapse and • Democracy - Get collective security system centered around League of Nations • Economic consequences: United States as preeminent economic power of world and victor's creditor • In sum, U.S. plays critical role in construction of postwar international political order Recap: Why US enter WWI? How US entry shape its consequences? • US enters because - German submarine warfare - To shape the terms of the peace • US assumes predominant influence over construction of postwar order - Fosters democracy, imperial collapse, League of Nations
The U.S. in World War II
• War breaks out in Europe over Poland in September 1939 - Hitler steady program of territorial expansion in 1930's eventually challenged • US enters war in December 1941 following attack on Pearl Harbor • Two theaters connected by strong US-UK ties and Triparite Pact among Germany, Italy, and Japan (Sep. 1940)
Forces promoting american expansion
• What forces promoted American expansion: - Population and economic growth - Technology: The railroad - Ideology: Manifest Destiny • "And that claim is by right of our manifest destiny to overspread and possess the whole of the continent which providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federated self-government entrusted to us... The God of nature and of nations has marked it for our own..."John L. O'Sullivan, Dec. 1845 - Domestic Politics: Slavery
Historical overview of US FP: Manifest destiny to WWI
• Why does American territory expand in the 1840's? through war with mexico and negotiation • The Civil War as an international event • From continental to global power in the 1890's • Why did the United States enter World War I in 1917?
Treaty of Versailles (1919)
• Wilson makes concessions to Allies to preserve League • Many trace WWII origins here • Harsh peace on Germany - Loses navy, merchant marine, colonies, territory in the west (Alsace Lorraine) and east (Poland, Czechoslovakia) - Allies occupy Rhineland (industrial center of Europe) - Allies (Wilson) demands democracy -US could not set terms of peace unilaterally so US, GB and France go through a bargaining session to basically remake europe and the world [wilson traded his emphasis on league of nations for some concessions about imperial rights for french in GB] • Reparations: German payments to France, Great Britain, and Belgium for costs of war - Device to ensure German compliance, limit economic growth and redirect any surplus revenues away from army and toward Allies - Huge fiscal implications: politically difficult for German government to impose new taxes on citizens (who just suffered defeat and costs of war) to fund transfers to foreigners - Stable reparations system does not emerge until 1924 but only lasts until 1928, dependent on American loans to Germany - Cycle of credit: Reparations linked to British and French war debts to US • Importance of US to settlement - US loans propping up reparations system - Wilson acquiesces in harsh peace on Germany, particularly with respect to territorial acquisitions that did not confirm to principle of self-determination to protect League of Nations How Versailles help cause World War II? • Destabilizing new (Weimar) democracy in Germany; settlement pushed german govt to impose unpopular economic policies which shrank its parliamentary majority throughout the 1920s...democracy died in germany in 1930 • Activates conservatives in Germany to pursue revisionist foreign policy: retake lost territory • Failure of treaty ratification in US begins withdrawal and league of nations was rejected twice the american public was not ready to support the new world in 1920 in terms of the obligations it looked like wilson was creating through the versailles treaty -implicates american policy in larger global collapse that would follow in the coming decades
rogue states characteristics
• brutalize their own people and squander their national resources for the personal gain of the rulers; • display no regard for international law, threaten their neighbors, and callously violate international treaties to which they are party; • are determined to acquire weapons of mass destruction, along with other advanced military technology, to be used as threats or offensively to achieve the aggressive designs of these regimes; • sponsor terrorism around the globe; and • reject basic human values and hate the United States and everything for which it stands.
when protecting ourselves and our allies from terrorists
• direct and continuous action using all the elements of national and international power. Our immediate focus will be those terrorist organizations of global reach and any terrorist or state sponsor of terrorism which attempts to gain or use weapons of mass destruction (WMD) or their precursors; • defending the United States, the American people, and our interests at home and abroad by identifying and destroying the threat before it reaches our borders. While the United States will constantly strive to enlist the support of the international community, we will not hesitate to act alone, if necessary, to exercise our right of self defense by acting preemptively against such terrorists, to prevent them from doing harm against our people and our country; and • denying further sponsorship, support, and sanctuary to terrorists by convincing or compelling states to accept their sovereign responsibilities. We will also wage a war of ideas to win the battle against international terrorism. This includes: • using the full influence of the United States, and working closely with allies and friends, to make clear that all acts of terrorism are illegitimate so that terrorism will be viewed in the same light as slavery, piracy, or genocide: behavior that no respectable government can condone or support and all must oppose; • supporting moderate and modern government, especially in the Muslim world, to ensure that the conditions and ideologies that promote terrorism do not find fertile ground in any nation; • diminishing the underlying conditions that spawn terrorism by enlisting the international community to focus its efforts and resources on areas most at risk; and • using effective public diplomacy to promote the free flow of information and ideas to kindle the hopes and aspirations of freedom of those in societies ruled by the sponsors of global terrorism.
goals on the path to progress: political and economic freedom, peaceful relations with other states, and respect for human dignity
• expand the circle of development by opening societies and building the infrastructure of democracy; • develop agendas for cooperative action with other main centers of global power; and • transform America's national security institutions to meet the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century. • champion aspirations for human dignity; • strengthen alliances to defeat global terrorism and work to prevent attacks against us and our friends; • work with others to defuse regional conflicts; • prevent our enemies from threatening us, our allies, and our friends, with weapons of mass destruction; • ignite a new era of global economic growth through free markets and free trade
promoting the use of economic growth and freedom beyond America's shores
• pro-growth legal and regulatory policies to encourage business investment, innovation, and entrepreneurial activity; • tax policies—particularly lower marginal tax rates—that improve incentives for work and investment; • rule of law and intolerance of corruption so that people are confident that they will be able to enjoy the fruits of their economic endeavors; • strong financial systems that allow capital to be put to its most efficient use; • sound fiscal policies to support business activity; • investments in health and education that improve the well-being and skills of the labor force and population as a whole; and • free trade that provides new avenues for growth and fosters the diffusion of technologies and ideas that increase productivity and opportunity.
possibilities to expand liberty:
• speak out honestly about violations of the nonnegotiable demands of human dignity using our voice and vote in international institutions to advance freedom; • use our foreign aid to promote freedom and support those who struggle non-violently for it, ensuring that nations moving toward democracy are rewarded for the steps they take; • make freedom and the development of democratic institutions key themes in our bilateral relations, seeking solidarity and cooperation from other democracies while we press governments that deny human rights to move toward a better future; and • take special efforts to promote freedom of religion and conscience and defend it from encroachment by repressive governments.