FOREIGN POLICY TOOLS & GOALS

Foreign Policy- Definition

This is how the United States interacts with other nations.

Tool #1: Diplomacy:

The U.S. accomplishes its foreign policy goals by talking to, punishing, and fighting other countries.

An alliance is a partnership with another country.

Talking to other countries as a way to solve problems is called diplomacy. Example: whales are becoming extinct due to overfishing, so the U.S. & Canada agree to set limits on whale fishermen.

The Secretary of State, John Kerry, is the highest ranking diplomat (behind the President)

Tool #2: Economic Sanctions:

Sometimes we punish countries that behave badly by trying to damage their economy.

The U.S. government will prohibit American businesses from doing business with another country, and companies from the other country can’t sell here. This is called an economic sanction.

This hurts because the U.S. economy is the biggest.

Tool #3: Military Engagement

Usually military action is the last resort.

Example: after diplomacy and sanctions failed to get Iraq to stop building nuclear weapons, the U.S. invaded.

Goals Of Foreign Policy, 1:

1. Protect the “human rights” of people in other countries. We try to make sure people elsewhere have free speech, due process, equality, etc.

2. Provide humanitarian aid, such as giving food to poor countries or help after a natural disaster.

Goals of Foreign Policy, 2:

3. Promote democracy. We try to get countries with authoritarian governments to become democracies. We think people (voters) should be in charge.

4. Grow the U.S. and other economies. By making ours and other countries richer, we reduce human suffering like disease and starvation. Example: we encourage countries to avoid command economies.

Goals of Foreign Policy, 3:

5. Protect national security. Attacking countries that are threatening and preventing terrorism.

6. Protect the environment, especially the air and oceans. This prevents illness and saves resources.