Foreign Policy
“The United States should take the lead in
running the World in the way that it ought to be
run.”
•Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
•Do you believe this is an accurate statement of
the attitude the U.S. has towards the rest of the
World?
Example- U.S. & Iran
• The U.S. would like to reduce nuclear
weapons around the World. The U.S. is
uneasy with Iran’s nuclear ambitions and
is currently using diplomacy to negotiate
with Iran on their nuclear ambitions.
Goals of foreign policy
• Designed to protect a country’s national
interests, security, ideological goals, and
economic prosperity.
• America's foreign policies are aimed at
maintaining our position in the
international arena and promoting our own
security.
Who makes foreign policy?
Article II of the Constitution says the President has
the power to:
•make treaties with other countries (with consent of the
Senate),
•appoint ambassadors to other countries (with consent
of the Senate)
•and receive ambassadors from other countries
Who makes foreign policy?
• The Secretary of State (John Kerry) whom
is appointed by the President is the
President's chief foreign affairs adviser.
What is foreign policy?
• Definition: A governments strategy in
dealing with other countries.
The United Nations
Created in 1945 by 51
Nations after WWII
Emblem shows
the World held in
the
“Olive branches of
peace”
193 Members
Strong!
3 Main Purposes of UN
• To keep peace throughout the world;
• To develop friendly relations among
nations;
• To help nations work together to improve
the lives of poor people, to conquer
hunger, disease and illiteracy, and to
encourage respect for each other’s rights
and freedoms
UN HeadquartersNew York
Goal is to facilitate
cooperation in
international law,
international security,
economic development,
social progress and
human rights issues.
Funding for the UN…
-Member nations pay annual dues and
contribute donations to the UN's voluntary
funds
-The U.S. alone contributes $6.3 billion a year
to the UN budget
-The UN spends on
average $25 billion a year
Foreign Policy Spectrum
• Isolationism- “Loner” Strict non-involvement in the
affairs of other nations
• Collective Security- “Team Player” Working with other
countries to influence world affairs
• Internationalism- “World Policeman” Intervening in
other countries affairs to promote important national
interests and/or safeguard national security
• Imperialism- “World Bully” The practice of one
country extending its control over the territory,
political system or economic life of another country
Past Foreign Policy Activity
• Get a partner
• Read each foreign policy action taken in
the past (9 total) and…
1.Place an “x” where it belongs on the
foreign policy spectrum
2.Write your reasoning for why you placed
the event where you did.
3.We will discuss past U.S. foreign policy
when everyone is done!
Discussion Questions
• What foreign policy stance has the U.S.
appeared to favor the most? least?
• Do you notice any patterns in U.S. foreign
policy in the 19th and 20th centuries?
• Where do you think the U.S. is at on the
foreign policy spectrum today? Why?
FP CBA Topics
Assignment: By exploring the three websites below, choose
three issues/topics you are interested in and answer the
following questions on notebook paper:
• What is the issue?
• Who's involved?
• Where is it taking place?
• Why is it an issue?
http://www.state.gov (U.S. Department of State)
http://www.usaid.gov/ (Website for U.S. Foreign
Aid)http://www.foreignpolicy.com/ (Online journal dedicated to
Foreign Policy)
Potential Topics for the CBA
1. Iran--Nuclear Proliferation
2. Syria--Chemical Weapons
3. China--Air Zone
4. Israel--Peace with Palestine
5. Afghanistan--Military
If you would like to do another topic, check
with your CW teacher