Political Science 101 POLS: Public Policy - Foreign and Defense Policy Presidential Dominance National Security Strategy Defense Budget Armed Forces Alliances Treaties War Powers

1. What This Is & Why It Matters

Foreign and Defense Policy is the study of how a nation protects its interests, citizens, and territory through diplomacy, military power, and strategic alliances. Understanding Foreign and Defense Policy is crucial for grasping the complexities of international relations, the role of the executive branch, and the delicate balance between national security and individual liberties. Without a grasp of Foreign and Defense Policy, you can't explain why some democracies collapse under the weight of external threats or internal divisions.

Consider the example of President Barack Obama's 2011 decision to deploy U.S. troops to Libya without Congressional approval. This move sparked a heated debate over the War Powers Resolution and the limits of presidential authority. To understand this scenario, you need to know the key concepts, thinkers, and models that shape Foreign and Defense Policy.

2. Essential Thinkers, Concepts & Models

• Realism: International relations theory that prioritizes state security and power over cooperation and idealism.
  • Definition: Realists believe that states are primarily motivated by self-interest and security concerns.
  • Why it's still relevant: Realism underpins the U.S. foreign policy establishment's emphasis on maintaining a strong military and protecting national interests.
• Neorealism: A subset of realism that focuses on the distribution of power and anarchy in the international system.
  • Definition: Neorealists argue that states are driven by a desire for security and survival in a world without a central authority.
  • Why it's still relevant: Neorealism helps explain the U.S. response to rising powers like China and Russia.
• Game Theory: A mathematical framework for analyzing strategic decision-making in situations with multiple actors and conflicting interests.
  • Definition: Game theorists use payoff matrices and Nash equilibria to predict outcomes in situations like nuclear deterrence.
  • Why it's still relevant: Game theory informs U.S. nuclear policy and helps policymakers navigate complex international crises.
• National Security Strategy: A comprehensive plan outlining a nation's goals, threats, and strategies for achieving security.
  • Definition: A national security strategy typically includes assessments of threats, goals, and policy recommendations.
  • Why it's still relevant: The U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS) is a key document guiding U.S. foreign policy and defense priorities.
• Defense Budget: The annual allocation of funds for military operations, personnel, and equipment.
  • Definition: The defense budget is a critical component of a nation's overall budget and reflects its priorities and values.
  • Why it's still relevant: The U.S. defense budget is a contentious issue, with implications for national security, economic growth, and social welfare programs.
• Armed Forces: A nation's military personnel, equipment, and organizations responsible for defending its territory and interests.
  • Definition: The armed forces are a critical component of a nation's defense establishment and play a key role in Foreign and Defense Policy.
  • Why it's still relevant: The U.S. armed forces are a symbol of national power and a key instrument of U.S. foreign policy.
• Alliances: Formal agreements between nations to cooperate on security and defense issues.
  • Definition: Alliances can provide mutual security benefits, shared intelligence, and a unified response to threats.
  • Why it's still relevant: The U.S. has a network of alliances, including NATO, that underpin its global security posture.
• Treaties: Formal agreements between nations that establish rules, norms, and obligations on issues like arms control, human rights, and trade.
  • Definition: Treaties can provide a framework for cooperation, establish norms, and promote stability.
  • Why it's still relevant: The U.S. has signed numerous treaties, including the Geneva Conventions and the Paris Agreement, that shape its foreign policy and national security priorities.
• War Powers: The constitutional authority of the president and Congress to declare war and authorize military action.
  • Definition: The War Powers Resolution of 1973 limits the president's ability to deploy troops without Congressional approval.
  • Why it's still relevant: The War Powers debate is ongoing, with implications for presidential authority, Congressional oversight, and national security.

3. Step-by-Step 'Political Analysis'

1. Identify the key stakeholders: Who are the main actors involved in Foreign and Defense Policy, including the president, Congress, the military, and international partners?
2. Analyze the context: What are the key drivers of Foreign and Defense Policy, including national security threats, economic interests, and cultural values?
3. Evaluate the options: What are the potential policy options for addressing the identified challenges, including military action, diplomacy, and economic sanctions?
4. Assess the trade-offs: What are the potential costs and benefits of each policy option, including short-term and long-term consequences?
5. Consider the institutional framework: How do the executive, legislative, and judicial branches interact to shape Foreign and Defense Policy, including the role of the War Powers Resolution?
6. Integrate theoretical perspectives: How do realist, neorealist, and game theory frameworks inform our understanding of Foreign and Defense Policy, including the role of power, anarchy, and strategic decision-making?

4. Common Student Mistakes

• Misconception: The president has absolute authority to deploy troops without Congressional approval.
  • The right view: The War Powers Resolution of 1973 limits the president's ability to deploy troops without Congressional approval, and the Supreme Court has upheld this limitation in cases like Goldwater v. Carter (1979).
• Misconception: The U.S. military is solely responsible for Foreign and Defense Policy.
  • The right view: The U.S. military is a key instrument of Foreign and Defense Policy, but the executive, legislative, and judicial branches all play critical roles in shaping national security priorities and decisions.
• Misconception: Game theory is only relevant to nuclear deterrence.
  • The right view: Game theory has broader applications in Foreign and Defense Policy, including the analysis of strategic decision-making, cooperation, and conflict.
• Misconception: The U.S. National Security Strategy is a static document that doesn't change over time.
  • The right view: The NSS is a dynamic document that reflects changing national security priorities and threats, and it is updated regularly to reflect new circumstances.

5. Exam/Essay Tips

• Multiple-choice questions: Pay close attention to the language and context of the question, and use your knowledge of key concepts and thinkers to eliminate incorrect options.
• Free-response questions: Use the step-by-step approach outlined above to structure your response, and be sure to integrate theoretical perspectives and institutional frameworks.
• Trap distinctions: Be aware of common trap distinctions, such as the difference between realism and neorealism, and be prepared to explain the implications of each perspective.
• Integrating the topic into an argumentative essay: Use Foreign and Defense Policy as a lens to analyze a broader issue, such as the role of the executive branch in national security or the impact of globalization on U.S. foreign policy.

6. Quick Practice Scenario

A president deploys troops without Congressional approval – which constitutional principle is at stake?

Answer: The War Powers Resolution of 1973, which limits the president's ability to deploy troops without Congressional approval.

Justification: The president's action violates the War Powers Resolution, which requires Congressional approval for military action beyond 60 days.

7. Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• Realism: International relations theory that prioritizes state security and power over cooperation and idealism.
• Neorealism: A subset of realism that focuses on the distribution of power and anarchy in the international system.
• Game Theory: A mathematical framework for analyzing strategic decision-making in situations with multiple actors and conflicting interests.
• National Security Strategy: A comprehensive plan outlining a nation's goals, threats, and strategies for achieving security.
• Defense Budget: The annual allocation of funds for military operations, personnel, and equipment.
• Armed Forces: A nation's military personnel, equipment, and organizations responsible for defending its territory and interests.
• Alliances: Formal agreements between nations to cooperate on security and defense issues.
• Treaties: Formal agreements between nations that establish rules, norms, and obligations on issues like arms control, human rights, and trade.
• War Powers: The constitutional authority of the president and Congress to declare war and authorize military action.
• Goldwater v. Carter (1979): A Supreme Court case that upheld the War Powers Resolution and limited the president's ability to deploy troops without Congressional approval.
• 'Separate but equal' was overturned by Brown v. Board – Plessy v. Ferguson was the earlier, racist ruling.

8. Further Study Resources

• American Government: Stories of a Nation by David E. Kyvig (Cengage Learning)
• Khan Academy units on Foreign Policy and National Security
• Crash Course Government YouTube channel
• The National Security Strategy of the United States (U.S. Department of State)