American Politics Today - Essentials (3rd Ed)

FOREIGN POLICY MAKERS| 475

FOREIGN POLICY MAKERS

This section focuses on the makers of American foreign policy. We begin with the
president and the executive branch, and then we consider Congress, the courts, and
fi nally, other groups and individuals outside the government. Nuts and Bolts 15.2
summarizes the foreign policy powers of the two most important actors, the presi-
dent and Congress.

THE PRESIDENT AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

The president is the dominant actor in American foreign policy.^28 He and his staff
can negotiate treaties or executive agreements with other nations, change policy
through executive orders or fi ndings, mobilize public opinion to prompt action by
Congress, and shape foreign policy by appointing people to agencies and depart-
ments that administer these policies (see Chapter 10). The president also serves as
commander in chief of America’s armed forces.
Within the Executive Offi ce of the President (EOP), the principal foreign pol-
icy agency is the National Security Council (NSC), which develops foreign
policy options and presents them to the president. The EOP also includes the
Offi ce of the U.S. Trade Representative, which focuses on tariff s and trade dis-
putes; the president’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, a group of academics,
politicians, and former government offi cials who advise the president; the Home-
land Security Council, which coordinates antiterrorism policies; and the Offi ce
of Management and Budget, which prepares the president’s annual budget pro-
posals for federal agencies and departments, including those with foreign policy
responsibilities.

National Security Council

(NSC) Within the Executive Offi ce

of the President, a committee that

advises the president on matters of

foreign policy.

FOREIGN POLICY POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT AND

CONGRESS

NUTS & bolts

15.2

President Congress

Commander in chief of armed forces Can declare war

Nominates and appoints senior offi cials in
Department of Defense

Senate must approve defense nominees

Negotiates treaties and executive agreements
with other nations

Treaties take effect only if approved by senate

Changes policy with executive orders and
fi ndings

Can overturn orders and fi ndings with legislation

Attempts to mobilize public opinion behind
foreign policy goals

Makes policy using “Power of the Purse” (annual

budget)

EXPLAIN HOW THE

VARIOUS BRANCHES OF

GOVERNMENT SHAPE

FOREIGN POLICY