LCSC | POLS101 | Section One

INTRODUCTION: This section covers the national government in diplomacy and war by analyzing the history, policy-making process, and current issues of foreign relations. Foreign policy is not made mechanically but is a function of custom and political process. The Constitution separates foreign-policy power between the President and Congress, permitting Presidents to retain the initiative and Congress to control executive options. But crises and precedent have given the primary responsibility for foreign policy to presidents who have used monetary assistance, diplomacy, economic sanctions, political coercion, covert acts and military intervention to advance certain interests. Providing for the national defense is a fundamental, but costly and controversial function of the federal government. Security of life, liberty, and property from internal and external attacks are crucial to the peaceful existence of the United States. But debate between Congress, the President, and the public rages on over what constitutes an effective defense and what is the appropriate global role of the military.

CONCEPT QUESTIONS: To better understand the readings the student should define each concept and incorporate pertinent examples. Students should also consider how the discipline of political science views the importance of each concept.
1. The New World Order	3. United Nations Support	5. The War on Terrorism
2. Role of NSC and CIA	4. China and Human Rights	6. Waging War in Iraq

ESSAY QUESTIONS: To better understand the readings, the student should discuss the components and issues of each essay question. Students should also address how the discipline of political science views the importance of each question.

1. What is the historical evolution of American foreign policy, and how is the making of such policy shared between the President, Cabinet, and Congress?

2. What is the current status of nuclear weapons within the world, and how can the threat of biological materials and chemical weapons be guarded against?

READINGS/INFORMATION FOR FURTHER STUDY:

1. Graham D. Allison, et al., Hawks, Doves, and Owls: An Agenda for Avoiding A Nuclear War (London: Norton Publishing Company, 1995).

2. Graham Allison and Gregory Treverton, Rethinking America’s Security: Beyond War to New World Order (London: Norton Publishing Company, 1992).

3. James F. Chace, The Consequences of the Peace: The New Internationalism and American Foreign Policy (New York: Twentieth Century Fund, 1992).

4. Robert Dalleck, The American Style of Foreign Policy: Cultural Politics and Foreign Affairs (New York: Oxford University Press, 1990).

5. Murray L. Weidenbaum, Small Wars Big Defense: Paying for the Military After the Cold War (New York: Oxford University Press, 1992).