Lesson Report:
**Title: The Limits of Presidential Power in U.S. Foreign Policy**
In this session, students transitioned from discussing the history of U.S. foreign policy to analyzing the mechanisms through which foreign policy decisions are made. The primary objective was to challenge the misconception that the U.S. president has unilateral control over foreign policy. By examining historical case studies, institutional structures, and constraints such as bureaucratic resistance, congressional checks, and public opinion, students developed a more nuanced understanding of how foreign policy decisions are formulated and implemented.
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### **Attendance:**
– One student, Hamdam, arrived late.
– No explicit mention of any absent students.
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### **Topics Covered:**
#### **Introduction: The Myth of Presidential Control in Foreign Policy**
– Discussed the common misconception that U.S. foreign policy is determined solely by the president.
– Example: The League of Nations—President Woodrow Wilson pushed for U.S. membership, but Congress refused to ratify it, preventing U.S. participation.
– Emphasized that while the president is a key actor in foreign policy, there are multiple other influences at play.
#### **Activity: Reframing Foreign Policy as Institutional, Not Personal**
– Students were asked to think of a U.S. foreign policy event that is commonly tied to a president (e.g., Bush and the Iraq War, Obama’s Pivot to Asia, Trump’s Border Wall).
– Discussion on how attributing policies to presidents oversimplifies decision-making dynamics.
– Example: Trump’s border wall was widely seen as his initiative, but major figures like Steve Bannon played a critical role in shaping that policy.
#### **The Structure of the U.S. Government: Checks and Balances on Presidential Power**
– Explanation of the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) and how they interact.
– Breakdown of each branch’s influence on foreign policy:
– **Executive:** The president leads but relies on departments (State, Defense, Intelligence).
– **Legislative:** Congress controls budgets, ratifies treaties, declares war, and can override presidential initiatives. Example: Congress blocked Obama’s proposed Syria airstrikes in 2013.
– **Judicial:** Can influence policy through constitutional interpretation but generally plays a smaller role in foreign affairs.
#### **Presidential Roles and Foreign Policy Powers**
1. **Head of State:**
– The president is the chief diplomat and negotiator, but negotiations require Senate ratification for formal treaties.
– Example: Presidents alone can recognize foreign governments (e.g., U.S. recognition of Israel in 1948).
2. **Commander-in-Chief:**
– President directs military operations but cannot unilaterally declare war.
– The **War Powers Act** limits troops’ deployment time without congressional approval.
– Example: Iraq and Afghanistan were not legally declared wars but were authorized through the **Authorized Use of Military Force (AUMF)**.
3. **Chief Executive:**
– Oversees federal agencies such as the Department of Defense and State.
– Controls intelligence agencies (CIA, NSA, FBI), though they operate semi-independently.
4. **Chief Legislator (in Foreign Policy Context):**
– Can propose sanctions, aid packages, and treaties, but all require congressional approval.
– Example: Biden proposed sanctions on Russia—Congress ratified them before implementation.
#### **The Constraints on Presidential Power in Foreign Policy**
1. **Time and Attention Constraints**
– Presidents juggle domestic and international crises.
– Example: Clinton’s inaction during the Rwandan genocide (1994) due to domestic priorities and election pressures.
– Example: Jimmy Carter devoted disproportionate attention to the Iran Hostage Crisis, which contributed to his electoral loss.
2. **Intelligence Gaps and Faulty Information**
– Policy decisions depend on intelligence agency reports, which may be flawed.
– Example: **Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in Iraq**—Bad intelligence, coupled with political agendas, led to Bush’s misjudgment in justifying war.
3. **Bureaucratic Resistance & Institutional Inertia**
– Existing policies and bureaucratic structures make shifting foreign policy difficult.
– Example: Obama’s failure to withdraw from Afghanistan due to entrenched policies requiring costly disentanglement.
– Example: Trump campaigned on Syrian withdrawal but ended up increasing U.S. involvement.
4. **Congressional Checks on Presidential Power**
– Congress uses budget restrictions, treaty oversight, and war powers to check the president.
– Example: League of Nations failure—Congress blocked U.S. membership despite Wilson’s advocacy.
– Example: Potential blocking of future Ukraine aid by Congress.
5. **Public Opinion and International Pressure**
– Presidents consider domestic approval ratings and global diplomatic constraints.
– Example: Bush’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were initially widely supported post-9/11, but later public disapproval weakened his authority.
– Example: Obama’s struggle with NATO over Libya intervention.
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### **Actionable Items:**
#### **For Next Class (Wednesday, Preparation Required):**
– Read *The Gatekeepers* by Chris Whipple (excerpt).
– Prepare to discuss case studies on presidential leadership styles and inter-agency conflicts.
#### **Reminders:**
– **Reflection Papers** are due in **one week**.
– Professor will meet with Hamdam tomorrow morning at 10:50 AM for further discussion.
This session provided a comprehensive breakdown of the president’s power in foreign policy while emphasizing structural constraints. Future discussions will focus on how individual leadership styles shape decision-making within these limits.
Homework Instructions:
ASSIGNMENT #1: Whipple Reading and Case Study Discussion
For the next class, you will read an assigned excerpt from the author Whipple that examines the struggles between the President and other administrative elements. This reading will help you better understand the complexities of presidential power and the ways in which different actors and institutions can constrain or shape executive decision-making.
Instructions:
1. Download the reading from eCourse and carefully review the material.
2. As you read, take note of specific case studies or historical examples that illustrate the tensions between the President and other government entities, such as intelligence agencies, Congress, or foreign policy advisors.
3. Consider how these struggles have shaped foreign policy decision-making and presidential leadership styles.
4. Come to class prepared to discuss at least one case study from the reading that you found particularly insightful or relevant.
5. Be ready to engage in a broader discussion on how leadership styles can affect decision-making in the context of foreign policy.
Additionally, remember that your papers are due one week from today. If you have any questions about the assignment or need feedback on a draft, be sure to reach out before the deadline.