Influence on US foreign policy making

¶ … U.S. Policy Making

Over the years, U.S. foreign policy has undergone a variety of changes that will vary with the times and the people inside the different political institutions. This because there is an interconnected role between the Executive Branch (the President), the Legislative Branch (Congress) and various departments involved with achieving the different foreign policy objectives. What is happening is the power of government is divided, between the different branches. With the Executive Branch responsible for enforcing various laws that are made by the Legislative Branch. The idea is to create a series of checks and balances between the different areas of government, in order to prevent one area from exerting unusual amounts of dominance over the others.

In the area of foreign policy, this relationship becomes increasingly complicated, with President being the Commander and Chief of the military. This means that his area of responsibility would be to determine the nation's foreign policy directives. The problem is when you have one person or a select group of individuals, determining the foreign policy objectives of the nation. This can mean that a more radical approach is used. Given the fact that America is suppose to represent these ideals of freedom, means that some objectives; could run counter to such a strategy. Where, the foreign policy of the nation could be to support various regimes or governments that contradict these ideals. At the same time, you have the constant turn over in power every four to eight years, where the foreign policy of the nation can change, depending upon the political views of the President. This is problematic, because it would create a foreign policy that may run counter to the nation's fundamental principles and then there is the possibility that the foreign policy of the nation; can be vastly different from one President to the next.

To provide more stability in the nation's foreign policy, Congress would begin to play a role in helping to ensure that the continuity principal remains consistent. This is where the nation's foreign policy objectives would remain the same, regardless of changes in the Presidency. The idea is by having Congress review various foreign policy matters; they can accurately determine where the nation's resources are being used, in certain areas and where they should be most effectively applied. As a result, the combination of having the nation's foreign policy facing constant scrutiny; means that the runaway abuses, that could occur from a select group of people are prevented. At which point, the most appropriate foreign policy objectives can be determined that are in line with nations fundamental principles and values.

Once this takes place, various government agencies around the world, will work in helping to achieve the different foreign policy objectives. Where, they would follow the directives from the President and Congress, in determining the way this will be accomplished. Over the course of time, this approach will provide more consistency from government officials, when they are dealing with various foreign dignitaries.