domestic and foreign policy -...
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Domestic and Foreign Policy
The policy making process is outlined in the U.S. Constitution. Article I of the U.S. Constitution
provides instruction on both the policy process as well as those areas of public policy for which
Congress is responsible (see Benchmark 3.3). Article I, Section 8 outlines those policy areas
within Congress’ purview. Several of these policy areas have both domestic and foreign policy
implications. These policy areas include:
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises,
To …provide for the common Defence
…all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations,…
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization,…
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses
against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, …
To raise and support Armies, …
To provide and maintain a Navy;
Domestic Policy
Congress has the power to make laws and policies with the sole purpose of impacting citizen and
non-citizen behavior in the U.S.
Domestic
Policy Area
Description Example
Social Welfare Providing economic and
other assistance to those in
need
Social Security-retirement income for the
elderly.
Health Care Providing health assistance
and support.
Medicare –medical care for the elderly.
Education Providing teaching and
learning support to students
through high school and
college
No Child Left Behind-education standards
and accountability
Foreign Policy
Congress has the power to make laws and policies with the purpose of impacting citizen and non-
citizen behavior outside the U.S. and international relations.
Foreign
Policy
Instrument
Description Example
Diplomacy the work of keeping up
relations between the
governments of different
countries
Marshall Plan (European Recovery Plan)
1948-1951 (see Benchmark 4.3)
Alliance a union between nations for
assistance and protection
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO; an alliance established by a
treaty) (see Benchmark 4.2)
Treaty an agreement or
arrangement between two
or more countries
Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT
I) 1972 (see Benchmark 3.3)
Domestic and Foreign Policy
Relationships How the U.S. interacts with other nations is often related to domestic policy.
Congress’ use of its power to raise and support armies articulated in Article I, Section 8, is related
to international relations.
The greater the domestic threat from foreign enemies, the greater the likelihood that Congress will
increase military spending.
In the 1990s, for example, military spending declined after the fall of communism (except in Cuba
and China). At the same time, international relations changed for the U.S. with the fall of
communism as more nations became democracies after the fall of communism which was
symbolized with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1990.
Domestic policies relating to naturalization affect migration and immigration patterns. Similarly,
relationships between the U.S. and other nations impacts and is impacted by trade between those
nations.
War Powers and the President
The United States Constitution divides war powers between Congress and the
President.
Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to
declare war, control war funding, raise and support the armed forces, and
affirms the “Power…to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for
carrying into Execution…all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the
Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.”
Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution states that, “The President shall
be commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the
militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United
States…” (see Benchmark 3.3)
Congressional Declarations of War
Congress has declared war five times; two of these wars took place in the 20th
Century.
War Description
World War I (1914-1918;
the U.S. entered World
War I in 1917)
The Triple Entente of Great Britain, France and Russia
goes to war against the Triple Alliance: Germany,
Austria-Hungary and Italy. The United States stays
neutral until it can no longer ignore German submarine
attacks on passenger and merchant ships.
World War II (1939-1945;
the U.S. entered World
War II in 1941)
Attack on Pearl Harbor, which leads to U.S. engagement
in World War II. During the war, President Franklin
Roosevelt wields great, unchecked power. The slogan
"politics stops at the water's edge" represented new
bipartisanship in foreign policy.
The President as Commander in Chief
Presidents have often interpreted their role as Commander-in-
Chief as allowing them to use the U.S. military to “…preserve,
protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States,” as
stated in their Oath of Office.
Presidents have used the U.S. military frequently without formal
declarations of war from Congress. Some of the best known
examples of the president acting as Commander-in-Chief without
a formal declaration of war from Congress include the Korean
War (1950-1953), the Vietnam War (1964-1975), Gulf War I
(1990-1991), and Gulf War II (2003-present).
U.S. Response to International Events
Event Description
Bay of Pigs
(1961)
a bay of the Caribbean Sea in Cuba: it was the site of an attempted
invasion of Cuba by anti-Fidel Castro forces in April 1961
Cuban
Missile
Crisis
(1962)
in 1962, leaders of the U.S. and the Soviet Union engaged in a tense,
13-day political and military standoff in October over the
installation of nuclear-armed Soviet missiles in Cuba
Iran
Hostage
Crisis
(1979-
1980)
a 444-day period during which the new government of Iran after the
Iranian Revolution held hostage 66 diplomats and U.S. citizens,
beginning on November 4, 1979 and ending on January 20, 1981
Terrorism
(9/11/01)
four coordinated attacks launched by an Islamic terrorist group (al-
Qaeda) upon the United States ; the targets were New York City and
Washington, DC.
International Organizations and
Citizen ParticipationThe end of World War II (see Benchmark 4.3) brought with it an emphasis on
the role of citizens in world affairs.
The staggering loss of life and high casualties due to the war itself as well as
the Holocaust brought attention to several issues to which citizens paid
attention. Being aware about human rights concerns has shaped citizens’
political and civic behavior.
Technology has also contributed to increased citizen involvement on the world
stage because new ways of learning about global issues have become more
prominent.
North American Free Trade Agreement
(1994)
NAFTA
Organization
Description
Role of Citizens
and Governments
in the Organization
NAFTA is a formal
agreement among
the governments of
the U.S., Canada,
and Mexico to form
a free trade zone in
North America and
eliminate taxes on
the buying and
selling of each
others’ products.
The U.S., Canada
and Mexico
governments
encourage the sale
and purchase of each
others’ goods.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO)(1949)
NATO
Organization
Description
Role of Citizens
and Governments
in the Organization
Protect the member
countries from
attack, keep peace
and security around
the world even when
it involves
nonmember
countries, and
provide natural
disaster assistance.
A country must meet
membership criteria
in order to join
NATO. An
individual can
support the
organization by
working for NATO.
International Red Cross/
Red Crescent (1863)
International Red Cross
Organization
Description
Role of Citizens
and Governments
in the Organization
To respond to
disasters, run
programs in their
local communities
and visit prisoners of
war or civilians
imprisoned during
times of conflict.
Individuals can
support the
organization in
multiple ways:
donate money,
support through
social media,
volunteer, work for
the organization, and
raise awareness.
United Nations (1945)
United Nations
Organization
Description
Role of Citizens
and Governments
in the Organization
The UN is an
organization founded
to keep the peace,
develop friendly
relationships among
countries, and
improve the quality
of life for the world’s
poor people; consists
of 193 member
countries.
Countries can join
the UN by decision
of the General
Assembly upon the
recommendation of
the Security Council.
Individuals can
support the UN by
donating money,
interning for the UN
or working for the
UN.
United Nations Children’s Fund (1946)
UNICEF
Organization
Description
Role of Citizens
and Governments
in the Organization
UNICEF focuses
their work on a
variety of children’s
issues throughout the
world. For example,
education, sanitation,
and protecting
children from
violence.
Individual citizens
can support UNICEF
by donating money,
supporting through
social media, signing
up for the newsletter,
and purchasing a
UNICEF gift and
working or interning
for the organization.
World Court (1945)
World Court
Organization
Description
Role of Citizens
and Governments
in the Organization
This organization
acts as a world court
and handles cases
where two nations
are in conflict and
provides legal advice
for UN member
nations.
Countries can
become members
through meeting the
requirements to join
the UN. Individuals
can intern or work at
the World Court.
World Trade Organization (1995)
WTO
Organization
Description
Role of Citizens
and Governments
in the Organization
The WTO is an
international body
founded in 1995 to
promote international
trade and economic
development by
reducing taxes and
other restrictions.
The WTO provides a
forum for negotiating
agreements aimed at
reducing obstacles to
international trade
and ensuring a level
playing field for all,
thus contributing to
economic growth and
development
(www.wto.org).