Foreign Policy Goals & Tools
Foreign policy consists of the strategies and goals
that guide a nation’s relations with other countries and groups in the
world. The foreign policy goals of
a country are going to be particular to that country’s political ideals and
self-interests. A country’s number one
self-interest is that of national
security. National Security interests for the United States include
everything from border patrol, to fighting terrorism and stopping the
proliferation (spread) of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. If a nation is not secure it will soon cease
to exist, therefore it is important that a nation be able to protect itself,
and discourage others from attacking.
Since the
United States is a democracy and free market system, two of our foreign policy goals are to spread democracy and promote free and open trade. These goals promote world peace and a concern
for humanity. It is in our best
interest economically to reduce barriers to trade by lowering our own tariffs and encouraging our trade
partners to do the same. In encouraging free trade we can often influence the political system within a country. China is a good example of a political system that is contrary to our own, yet we have reduced tariffs
between our countries in hopes of forcing political change through economics.
The President
carries out American Foreign Policy. The
President has many tools that he can use to carry out this policy
including: the use of international organizations, treaties, military force, and
economic sanctions to name a few.
International organizations such as the United Nations (UN),
International Red Cross, World Bank (WB), and International Monetary Fund (IMF)
can aid the President in carrying out the goals of U.S. foreign policy.
The UN was created after WWII in order to
prevent another world war and to promote world peace. Since its creation, the United States has worked
with the UN to support our
actions. In 1963 the United States
“quarantined” Cuba to prevent the Soviet Union from placing nuclear missiles on
its shores. There are times that the United Nations does not support United
States actions; this occurs when the actions of our country conflict with the
goals of another country. For
example: Russia has continually blocked economic sanctions against North Korea
(their ally).
The World Bank (WB) makes low interest
loans to developing nations in order to build a country’s infrastructure. The International
Monetary Fund (IMF) works to stabilize the currency of developing
nations. Both organizations are
controversial because with the money and aid that is lent, requirements for
political reforms and open markets are required. The International Red Cross (IRC) helps the United States fulfill its
goal of humanitarian concern. The IRC
aids disaster victims by providing emergency medical care and equipment, as
well as other humanitarian assistance.
The IRC also meets with prisoners of war in order to make sure that they
are being treated well and are in good health.
In addition
to international organizations, the President has the power to make treaties
with other nations with the "advice and consent" of the Senate. Two important treaties the US is a part of are the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
NATO was created shortly after WWII during the Cold War with
the purpose of containing communism in Eastern Europe. This is a military security pact that
protected all member nations from attack; an
attack on one member of NATO was an attack on all members. The Soviets countered with their own
organization known as the Warsaw Pact.
NATO is still in effect today.
When the terrorist attacks occurred on 9/11 it was considered an attack
on NATO, therefore NATO troops aided in the invasion of Afghanistan.
NAFTA eliminated all trade barriers and tariffs between the United States,
Mexico, and Canada. NAFTA has since been extended into Central America
through the passage of CAFTA (Central American Free Trade Agreement). The purpose of these agreements was to
encourage free trade and open new markets in North America. The act has been highly controversial since
its passage. Many manufacturing jobs
have moved south of the border where labor is much cheaper.
Economic Sanctions are another tool of foreign policy
that the President can use. Economic
Sanctions are monetary punishments that can take many forms – refusal of
aid, refusal of trade, restriction of trade, tariffs and embargos. The United States uses its economic power to
influence other countries in order to achieve our goals. Economic
sanctions were imposed on South Africa due to their human rights violations. In doing so the United States was able to
eventually get South Africa to end those violations.
Applying Goals and
Tools of Foreign Policy
Part
I. Directions:
List the Goals of U.S. Foreign Policy.
Part II. Directions: Read each
statement below and write which goal is being fulfilled by the government’s
actions.
1.
____________________ Sending National Guard troops to the Mexican/U.S.
border.
2.
____________________ Giving military aid to Israel to support the government’s
fight against terrorism.
3.
____________________ Signing NAFTA to encourage new markets for U.S.
goods.
4.
____________________ Paying dues to the UN to support peacekeeping
missions.
5.
____________________ Sending medical supplies and assistance to
countries that were hit by a
Tsunami.
Part
III. Directions:
List the tools of American Foreign Policy
Part IV. Directions: Read each
statement below and identify which tool of foreign policy is being used.
- _____________________
Entering into NATO for national security purposes.
- _____________________ Providing money to
the IMF to help developing nations.
- _____________________ Refusing to trade with Cuba until their
government becomes more
democratic.
- _____________________ Invading Iraq in
order to force a change in leadership.
Part V. Directions: Read each statement
and describe which tool of Foreign Policy you would use and why. Make sure you explain the advantages and
disadvantages of using this tool.
1.
North Korea is testing long range rockets that could reach the US.
2.
Syria is funding known terrorist organizations like Hezbollah.
International
Organizations and Treaties
Directions:
Use the previous pages and your knowledge to complete the chart below.
Organization/
Treaty
|
Stands
For
|
Goals/Purpose
|
NAFTA
|
||
NATO
|
||
UN
|
||
IMF
|
||
WB
|
||
IRC
|
Part
II. Directions:
Read each statement and decide which treaty or organization
applies. Write the correct answer in the
space provided.
1. ______________________ Takes medical supplies
and humanitarian aid to natural disaster victims in
Pakistan.
2. ______________________ Allows for free trade
between the US and Mexico.
3. ______________________ An attack on one
member is considered an attack on all members of this
treaty.
4. ______________________ Sends peacekeeping
troops to war torn areas.
5. ______________________ Lends money at low
interest rates to developing nations for infrastructure
improvements.
6. ______________________ Provides assistance in
stabilizing the currency of Argentina so it doesn’t
default on its debt
Trade
Directions:
Use the chart about NAFTA and your knowledge to answer the questions.
1. Describe the trend on the chart?
2. What is the purpose of NAFTA?
3.
Based on the chart data, has NAFTA
met its purpose?
Directions:
Use the chart on U.S. Trade Balance to answer the questions.
4. Describe the trend on the chart.
5.
What impact does this trend have on our economy?
Domestic
Policy
Domestic
policy is the strategies and goals that a nation has for providing for the
general welfare of its people. Domestic
policy includes overall economic goals such as redistributing
income-Medicare/Medicaid, economic equity, minimum wage, public assistance,
Social Security, business regulation, environmental issues.
Domestic policy also includes social issues such as poverty,
education, public health, housing and transportation. Entitlement programs are those that all citizens can access, and
are created to help fulfill the economic and social goals of domestic policy.
Prioritizing programs for funding is dependent on the current needs of the
population, as well as the current political climate.
Regulatory Agencies
There are
countless government agencies that regulate everything from the environment to
the air waves; however there are a few that are key to carrying out the goals
of domestic policy.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created in the 1970s to help
regulate pollution of the environment.
The EPA sets and carries out
air and water pollution policies. The
agency can fine or shut down businesses that fail to meet its standards.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was
created to regulate the communications industry. The FCC
sets standards for decency in television programming for all access stations
(ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC & PBS). It
licenses broadcasting companies and can fine companies that fail to meet its
standards.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
was created to control the airports in the country. The FAA
hires air traffic controllers and sets rules for airport use, as well as
guidelines for pilot training and flying hours.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) focuses
on consumer and product safety. The FTC works to insure the safety of all
consumer goods; issuing recalls of defective products and fining companies who
engage in poor trade practices. They are
also charged with ensuring competition in the marketplace.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
works to keep the food supply in the United States safe. The FDA
also approves all medications.
All
These Regulations…
Directions: Read
each scenario in the first column.
Decide which regulatory agency would be responsible, and write it in the
second column.
Scenario
|
Regulatory Agency Responsible
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5. A
new medication is ready for approval.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11. Which agency do you think has the most
governmental power? Explain your answer.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Public Assistance and
Entitlement Programs
Entitlement Program
|
Purpose
|
Demographic(s)
|
Welfare
|
Uses
tax money to provide financial assistance to people who are unable to support
themselves. The financial assistance
will allow these individual’s to function more effectively.
|
Low-income
individual’s & families
|
Social
Security
|
The
Social Security Administration provides benefits for retirement, disability,
survivorship, and death. In 2004 the U.S. Social Security system paid out
almost $500 billion in benefits, which made it the largest government program
in the world.
|
-Elderly
-Disabled
-Surviving spouses
and children
|
Medicare
|
A health insurance program administered by
the U.S. government, covering people who are either age 65 and over, or who
meet other special criteria
|
-Elderly
-Disabled
|
Medicaid
|
U.S.
health insurance program for individuals and families with low incomes and
resources
|
-Low-income
individuals & families
|
WIC
|
Program
through the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.
Promotes healthcare and nutrition of low-income mothers and children under
the age of five.
|
-Low-income mothers
-Young Children
|
Unemployment
|
Provides
a percentage of a worker’s previous salary for a definite period of time,
while the person is looking for another job.
|
-Workers who have
lost their employment
|
Food
Stamps
|
The
US Food Stamp Program provides food to low income people.
|
-Low-income
individuals & families
|
Housing
Subsidies
|
Provide
housing assistance for low-income families and individuals
|
-Low-income
individuals & families
|
Directions: Use the information provided on the above
chart to answer the following questions.
1. How
does the government provide the funding for entitlement programs?
2. Identify
3 demographics of people who are eligible to receive entitlements (entitlement
programs)?
3. Why
are benefits provided for these specific types of people?
Which Program Is It?
Directions: Read
each scenario below. Identify which
entitlement program best applies and write it in the space provided. Use the chart on the previous page to help
you.
1. You are a single mother of two small
children. Your family is considered a
low income family, and need help to pay doctor bills for your 2 small
children. To which social program should
you apply for assistance?
2. Your company has been hurt by the
downturn in the economy. As a result,
352 workers have been laid off (dismissed from their job). You are one of these workers. To which social program should you apply for
assistance?
3. You are an elderly American. You are on a limited income. You do not have a lot of money left over
after paying rent, utilities, and food.
You are having a lot of health problems and can not pay for health insurance. To which social program should you apply for
assistance?
4. You are thinking about
retirement. You decide to look into what
your retirement benefits will be. Which
social programs will provide you retirement benefits?
5. You and your three children are on a
very limited budget. After you have paid
your household expenses, you have very little money remaining to purchase
healthy, nutritious meals for your family.
What social program will help you buy groceries?
6. You are a family of four. The father dies leaving the mother with two
small children. To which social program
should the mother apply to receive benefits?
7. You have been injured in a serious
accident. Your vision was impacted and you
are no longer able to work. To which
social program should you apply for assistance?
END OF ASSIGNMENT
UNIT 5 B/C/ INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC AGENCIES
International Agencies
|
REGULATORY
AGENCY
|
Year
Created
|
Duties
and Responsibilities
|
Issues
Dealt With
|
|
European
Union
(EU)
|
|
|
|
|
World
Health Organization
(WHO)
|
|
|
|
|
World
Trade Organization
(WTO)
|
|
|
|
|
International
Monetary Fund
(IMF)
|
|
|
|
|
International
Red Cross
(IRC)
|
|
|
|
|
North
American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA)
|
|
|
|
|
North
Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO)
|
|
|
|
|
World
Bank
(WB)
|
|
|
|
|
United
Nations
(UN)
|
|
|
|
Domestic Agencies
|
REGULATORY
AGENCY
|
Year
Created
|
Duties
and Responsibilities
|
Issues
Dealt With
|
|
Federal
Reserve System
|
|
|
|
|
Transportation
Safety Administration
(TSA)
|
|
|
|
|
Center
for Disease Control
(CDC)
|
|
|
|
|
Environmental
Protection Agency
(EPA)
|
|
|
|
|
Food and
Drug Administration
(FDA)
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
Trade Commission
(FTC)
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
Communications Commission
(FCC)
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
Aviation Administration
(FAA)
|
|
|
|
END OF ASSIGNMENT
UNIT 5 B/C REVIEW SHEET
5B and 5C Review
Sheet
FOREIGN AND
DOMESTIC POLICIES
Agencies: Be able to explain what the agency does and provide
examples of the agency in action (write on back)
|
International
Agencies
|
Domestic
Agencies
|
|
International
Red Cross (IRC)
|
Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA)
|
|
World Bank (WB)
|
Center for
Disease Control (CDC)
|
|
International
Monetary Fund (IMF)
|
The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
|
|
The North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
|
The Food and
Drug Administration (FDA)
|
|
North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
|
Federal
Communication Commission (FCC)
|
|
United Nations
(UN)
|
The Federal
Trade Commission (FTC)
|
|
European Union (EU)
|
Federal Reserve System
(FED)
|
|
World Health Organization
(WHO
|
Transportation Security
Administration (TSA
|
|
World Trade Organization
(WTO
|
|
Terms to know: Be able to define the term and provide
examples of the term in
Tariffs/Embargos/Sanctions
Medicare AND
Medicaid
Social Security
Welfare
Entitlement
Programs/Public assistance programs
What is the
overall purpose of regulatory agencies?
Be able to
explain issues and goals that fall under domestic
policies.
Be able to
explain issues and goals that fall under international
(foreign) policies.
END OF ASSIGNMENT
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