US Foreign Politics

US Foreign Politics

Introduction

Since WW II, the politics of realism have dominated the field of American foreign policy. Proponents of this foreign policy paradigm observe the world as a kind of Hobbesian state of nature, composed of competitive and self- interested nations, where power politics is a natural and inevitable means by which to ensure national survival or promote maximal national interests. In line with this worldview, realists prefer the use of unilateral power typically in the form of military force.

Although realists will sometimes support multilateral policies, international organizations, human rights, and other forms of international cooperation, they typically do so for instrumental reasons (e.g., to legitimize and advance US projection of power. They tend to be skeptical about the effectiveness of international cooperation for its own sake, which they regard as a form of naïve idealism). Proponents of realism are not limited to the political elite. Indeed, for at least the past three decades of US public opinion data, American respondents tend to be more sympathetic to key foreign policy components of real politics especially concerning war, trade agreements, and broad strategic objectives than are present-day political elites (Drezner, 2008).

While discourse surrounding realism is more often conceived of in the context of political elite decision-making, public opinion appears to significantly draw upon views and rhetorical devices of political elites in forming and sustaining their own foreign policy attitudes (Holsti, 2004). In part, realism's privileged position in US politics and public opinion owes its prestige to the common perception that realism is both a pragmatic and rational guide to foreign policy that best secures and maximizes U.S. interests. Since Machiavelli promoted the famous distinction between “the effective truth of things” (realism) and the “imaginary republics and monarchies that have never been seen or have been known to exist,” (idealism), political realists have maintained that ideologies of international cooperation are based on naïve and unattainable objectives that undermine national interests (as cited in Moravcsik, 2010). As one advocate put it, realism concerns itself “with human nature as it actually is, and with the historical processes as they actually take place”, rather than by “hopeful illusions about a world without conflict” (Morgenthau, 1960).

Discussion

President

Key Points

Majority of US presidents focus on foreign policy throughout their tenure in office. Although powers of US presidents are strictly limited by the Constitution but they enjoy more autonomy in foreign policy as compared to domestic policy.

Executive power is vested in the President, who is also commander in chief of the army, navy and militia of the States when they are mobilized by the United States. He appoints officials and federal judges with Senate approval, but only Congress has power to provide funding and declare war. For limiting the powers of resident on war-waging, the War Powers Act attempted.

Foreign affairs are a cornerstone to a successful presidency, if the president can successfully negotiate treaties and develop positive diplomatic, relations then as the Chief Diplomat the President is at his most ...