Top 10 Things you need to know about Foreign Policy
1. There are four main worldviews that shape foreign policy.
2. Isolationism - The view that the United States should withdraw from world affairs, limit foreign aid, and avoid involvement in foreign wars.
3. Containment (anti-appeasment) - The view that the United States should contain aggressive nations.
4. Disengagement - A view that U.S. involvement in Vietnam had led to a military defeat and political disaster and that further similar involvements should be avoided.
5. Human Rights - The view that our government should act to enhance the rights of people living in other countries.
6. Congress has three main checks on the president in foreign affairs. They can limit the military and economic aid given by the president to other countries, The Wars Powers Act, and the House and Senate Intelligence Committees must be kept known of all covert activities.
7. Domino Theory - A foreign policy theory, promoted by the government of the United States, that speculated that if important nations were to fall to communism, then the surrounding countries would follow.
8. In the United States, Congress has the power to declare war.
9. The president is commander in chief of the armed forces, he appoints ambassadors, and negotiates treaties, but Congress authorizes and appropriates money for armed forces, approves ambassadors, and ratifies treaties. When the president seeks Congressional approval for foreign policy matters, he tends to win more often than when he asks for help on domestic matters.
10. Leadership in making America's foreign Policy has shifter back and forth between the State Department and the White House from time to time.
The following was originally published October 20, 2008 at http://www.bloggernews.net/118241
The principle that self-regulation and competition can be substitutes for direct public control of key sectors of the economy has been dealt a near fatal blow by the failures in the banking sector around the world. For some of us the idea that business could be trusted to apply Corporate Social Responsibility was always a [...]
The following was originally published October 20, 2008 at http://www.bloggernews.net/118241
The principle that self-regulation and competition can be substitutes for direct public control of key sectors of the economy has been dealt a near fatal blow by the failures in the banking sector around the world. For some of us the idea that business could be trusted to apply Corporate Social Responsibility was always a [...]
Interest Group- An organization of people who share a common interest or goal that seeks to influence public policy making.
What interest groups/elites are influencing the debate over the Iraq war?
Oil/Defense Elites- After 9/11, defense and energy Ceo's salaries skyrocketed. According to a survey conducted by The Institute for Policy Studies, Ceo's from the top 34 defense companies experienced a virtual doubling in their average compensation, (from $3.6 million in 2002 to $7.2 million in 2005). The CEO of Black Hawk helicopter manufacturer United Technologies George David, made over $200 million between 2002 and 2005, making him the highest paid defense executive. Also, oil interests such as those of Ceo of the oil company Halliburton, Richard Cheney favored war in Iraq because of the increase in profits achieved by dominating the Middle-Eastern oil market. Halliburton's financial gains are also evidenced by the scandal in 2004 in which the company billed the Pentagon for a whopping $1.8 billion worth of work in Iraq, without giving a reason as to why.
Anti-oil Lobbyists- Such lobbying groups as OilChange International promote the idea of the "separation of oil and state". All congressional candidates of both parties who took no oil money in 2006 won their respective elections, while four of the top five congressional candidates who received money from oil interests lost these elections. Oil Change and other organizations like it are interested in exposure and eradication of the political influence of oil companies.
The Israeli Lobby- The Israeli lobby wanted the United States to go to war in Iraq because of Saddam Hussein's inhumane actions in the Gulf War; particularly when he launched rockets at Israel and interceptors failed to block them. Saddam also promoted terrorist activities and suicide bombings against Israelis by promising monetary rewards to the families of terrorists.
World Council of Churches- This interest group is founded purely on principles of morality, and believes that the Iraq war was "immoral, illegal, and ill-advised." They opposed the war because they foresaw grave humanitarian consequences, including civilian casualties and displacement of Iraqi citizens.
Al Qaeda- Osama Bin Laden made a statement on February 13, 2003 calling all Muslims to counteract any U.S. invasion in Iraq.
WHY WE SHOULD STAY IN IRAQ Like Americans, the opinions of the Iraqi people are divided when it comes to whether American troops should remain in Iraq. According to the New York Timesthe Iraqi people are divided mainly into three groups: those who just want the Americans to leave, those who are afraid that if the American troops leave abruptly their security will be at stake, and those who worry that without America intervening Iraq's dominant groups, the Kurds and the Shiites will over power all other groups. Those who want the American troops to leave and do nothing more "includes many followers of the Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr, and some intensely nationalist Sunni Arabs in parts of the country that have suffered the worst since the invasion." According to the Iraqi people who want America out of their country, nothing America can do will make up for "destruction of society and the killing of innocent civilians" that has occurred since the beginning of the occupation. Others feel that if America abruptly exits from Iraq the security they have gained will be vulnerable. They also have a negative view on the occupation of Iraq, but would prefer America rather than returning to former ways of ruling. The third group fears that with out America moderating the main powers, the Kurds in the north and Shiites in the center and south, will viciously dominate all other groups.
In 2005, after his fourth visit to Iraq, Joe Lieberman said that there was “real progress” in Iraq, but that more work needed to be done. “The Iraqi people are in reach of a watershed transformation from the primitive, killing tyranny of Saddam to modern, self-governing, self-securing nationhood--unless the great American military that has given them and us this unexpected opportunity is prematurely withdrawn,” Lieberman said. This war is between 27 million Iraqi people and 10,000 terrorists, who are trying to stop the Iraqi people from gaining their freedom. Lieberman said, “we are fighting on the side of the 27 million because the outcome of this war is critically important to the security and freedom of America. If the terrorists win, they will be emboldened to strike us directly again and to further undermine the growing stability and progress in the Middle East, which has long been a major American national and economic security priority.”Wall Street Journal World Public Opinion WHY WE SHOULD LEAVE IRAQ The confidence of the American people is down when it comes to the war in Iraq. Most adult Americans oppose the war, according to a poll released by CNN 65% of Americans oppose the war. Many dislike the way that the Bush administration approaches the war, according to a poll from CBS News and the New York Times 54% of Americans believe that the Bush administration focuses too much on the war in Iraq. Angus ReidSupport of the war was at a record low in May 2007 when only 35% of Americans thought the invasionof Iraq was the right thing to do and 61% thought we should have stayed out according to the New York Times/ CBS News Poll. New York Times Most of the American people want the government to establish a time table for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. According to a poll released by the associated press, 59% of Americans want a time line established. Angus Reid
According to the Washington Post, American troops America can leave Iraq in a year or longer by removing 10,000 troops and 10,000 contractors a month. Anthony Cordesman, from the center for Strategic and International Studies, says that the US could exit faster if the US and Iraqi forces abandoned and destroyed more facilities and equipment. Both Democrats and some Republicans are pushing for a partial withdraw of troops from Iraq, but reducing the number of troops will not reduce the risk and casualties unless the remaining troops are moved somewhere they can not easily be targeted. The number of casualties in Iraq was at a high last year with 904, but seems to be at a low this year with 280 so far, according toiCasualties. Wall Street Journal/ NBC News Poll
Do you think that George W. Bush has or has not given good reasons for why the United States must keep troops in Iraq?
Dec. 2005
Nov. 2005
Has given good reasons
42%
38%
Has not given good reasons
54%
58%
Not sure
4%
4%
Do you think that the United States should maintain its current troop level in Iraq to help secure peace and stability, or should the United States reduce its number of troops now that Iraq has adopted a
constitution? More specifically, do you think that we should have an immediate and orderly withdrawal of all troops from Iraq, or not?
Yes, should have an immediate withdrawal
27%
No, should not have an immediate withdrawal
68%
Depends
3%
Not sure
2%
And do you feel more confident or less confident that the war in Iraq will come to a successful conclusion?
Dec. 2005
Nov. 2005
More confident
39%
32%
Less confident
50%
58%
Depends / Some of both
6%
6%
Not sure
5%
4%
Source: Hart/McInturff / The Wall Street Journal / NBC News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,006 American adults, conducted from Dec. 9 toDec. 12, 2005. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent. Angus Reid Polls
"In general, how would you say things are going for the U.S. in Iraq: very well, moderately well, moderately badly or very badly?"
.
Very Well
Moderately Well
Moderately Badly
Very Badly
Unsure
%
%
%
%
%
10/3-5/08
11
42
29
18
-
4/28-30/08
7
32
28
31
2
1/14-17/08
8
38
31
23
1
11/2-4/07
5
29
31
34
-
10/12-14/07
6
29
27
37
1
6/22-24/07
4
26
25
44
1
4/10-12/07
4
24
30
39
3
3/9-11/07
3
26
32
35
4
9/29 - 10/2/06
6
32
30
32
-
----
CBS News/New York Times Poll. Sept. 21-24, 2008. N=936 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.
.
"Looking back, do you think the United States did the right thing in taking military action against Iraq, or should the U.S. have stayed out?"
.
Right Thing
Stayed Out
Unsure
%
%
%
9/21-24/08
39
55
6
9/12-16/08
42
54
4
7/7-14/08
36
59
5
4/25-29/08
37
57
6
3/28 - 4/2/08
34
62
4
3/15-18/08
36
59
5
2/20-24/08
38
58
4
1/9-12/08
36
58
6
12/5-9/07
41
54
5
10/12-16/07
45
51
4
9/14-16/07
39
53
8
.
"How would you say things are going for the U.S. in its efforts to bring stability and order to Iraq? Would you say things are going very well, somewhat well, somewhat badly, or very badly?"
.
Very Well
Somewhat
Well
Somewhat
Badly
Very Badly
Unsure
%
%
%
%
%
9/21-24/08
7
39
29
22
3
9/12-16/08
10
42
24
22
2
7/31 - 8/5/08
7
38
29
20
6
7/7-14/08
7
38
27
24
4
5/30 - 6/3/08
4
31
29
33
3
4/25-29/08
5
35
31
26
3
3/15-18/08
4
39
30
24
3
2/20-24/08
6
37
30
24
3
1/30 - 2/2/08
7
31
27
32
3
1/9-12/08
4
34
29
30
3
12/5-9/07
6
31
31
28
4
10/12-16/07
2
32
30
33
3
9/14-16/07
3
31
29
34
3
.
"As you may know, the U.S. has sent a troop surge to Iraq. From what you have heard or read, would you say the troop surge is making the situation in Iraq better, making it worse, or is it having no impact on the situation in Iraq so far?"
.
Better
Worse
No Impact
Unsure
%
%
%
%
9/21-24/08
44
11
33
12
9/12-16/08
50
10
30
10
7/31 - 8/5/08
46
11
32
11
3/15-18/08
42
13
34
11
1/30 - 2/2/08
39
14
39
8
1/9-12/08
40
12
34
14
12/5-9/07
38
12
40
10
10/12-16/07
33
13
41
13
9/14-16/07
30
14
51
5
.
"Over the last couple of years, do you think the Bush Administration has focused too much on the war in Iraq and not enough on Afghanistan, or focused too much on Afghanistan and not enough on the war in Iraq, or has the balance been about right?"
1. Majoritarian- Politics in which almost everyone benefits from the policy and almost everyone pays for it.
2. Entrepeneurial- Defined as the policies that benefit society as a whole but which impose a heavy cost on some small identifiable segment of society.
3. Client- The politics of policy-making in which some small group receives the benefits from a policy and the public at large bears the cost.
4. Interest Groups- Politics in which one small group receives the benefit of the policy and one small group bears the cost.
What type of politics is being practiced by the Bush administration?
The Bush administration's policies in regard to the decision to invade Iraq were initially presented as Majoritarian politics. The general American public was supposed to receive the benefits of security from terrorists post 9/11, and (possibly) cheaper fuel, and the public as a whole was supposed to pay for these benefits. However the purpose of America's military occupation in Iraq was not achieved and did not benefit the public as a whole. The lower classes of America paid the bulk of the cost of the war in the lives of their loved ones, future generations of middle and upper class Americans are expected to pay off the trillion dollar national debt in taxes, and society is still not benefiting from reduced terrorist threat or decreases in the price of oil. Since the policies of the Bush administration during the Iraq war still only benefit construction companies such as Halliburton while imposing the financial ramifications of the war on the middle and upper classes and the emotional ramifications of the war on poor families whose sons' lives have been claimed by the endless conflict, the Bush administration actually practiced Client politics throughout the military altercations happening in Iraq.
Foreign Policy
Top 10 Things you need to know about Foreign Policy
1. There are four main worldviews that shape foreign policy.
2. Isolationism - The view that the United States should withdraw from world affairs, limit foreign aid, and avoid involvement in foreign wars.
3. Containment (anti-appeasment) - The view that the United States should contain aggressive nations.
4. Disengagement - A view that U.S. involvement in Vietnam had led to a military defeat and political disaster and that further similar involvements should be avoided.
5. Human Rights - The view that our government should act to enhance the rights of people living in other countries.
6. Congress has three main checks on the president in foreign affairs. They can limit the military and economic aid given by the president to other countries, The Wars Powers Act, and the House and Senate Intelligence Committees must be kept known of all covert activities.
7. Domino Theory - A foreign policy theory, promoted by the government of the United States, that speculated that if important nations were to fall to communism, then the surrounding countries would follow.
8. In the United States, Congress has the power to declare war.
9. The president is commander in chief of the armed forces, he appoints ambassadors, and negotiates treaties, but Congress authorizes and appropriates money for armed forces, approves ambassadors, and ratifies treaties. When the president seeks Congressional approval for foreign policy matters, he tends to win more often than when he asks for help on domestic matters.
10. Leadership in making America's foreign Policy has shifter back and forth between the State Department and the White House from time to time.
State Department
The following was originally published October 20, 2008 at http://www.bloggernews.net/118241
The principle that self-regulation and competition can be substitutes for direct public control of key sectors of the economy has been dealt a near fatal blow by the failures in the banking sector around the world. For some of us the idea that business could be trusted to apply Corporate Social Responsibility was always a [...]
The following was originally published October 20, 2008 at http://www.bloggernews.net/118241
The principle that self-regulation and competition can be substitutes for direct public control of key sectors of the economy has been dealt a near fatal blow by the failures in the banking sector around the world. For some of us the idea that business could be trusted to apply Corporate Social Responsibility was always a [...]
Interest Group- An organization of people who share a common interest or goal that seeks to influence public policy making.
What interest groups/elites are influencing the debate over the Iraq war?
Oil/Defense Elites- After 9/11, defense and energy Ceo's salaries skyrocketed. According to a survey conducted by The Institute for Policy Studies, Ceo's from the top 34 defense companies experienced a virtual doubling in their average compensation, (from $3.6 million in 2002 to $7.2 million in 2005). The CEO of Black Hawk helicopter manufacturer United Technologies George David, made over $200 million between 2002 and 2005, making him the highest paid defense executive. Also, oil interests such as those of Ceo of the oil company Halliburton, Richard Cheney favored war in Iraq because of the increase in profits achieved by dominating the Middle-Eastern oil market. Halliburton's financial gains are also evidenced by the scandal in 2004 in which the company billed the Pentagon for a whopping $1.8 billion worth of work in Iraq, without giving a reason as to why.
Anti-oil Lobbyists- Such lobbying groups as OilChange International promote the idea of the "separation of oil and state". All congressional candidates of both parties who took no oil money in 2006 won their respective elections, while four of the top five congressional candidates who received money from oil interests lost these elections. Oil Change and other organizations like it are interested in exposure and eradication of the political influence of oil companies.
The Israeli Lobby- The Israeli lobby wanted the United States to go to war in Iraq because of Saddam Hussein's inhumane actions in the Gulf War; particularly when he launched rockets at Israel and interceptors failed to block them. Saddam also promoted terrorist activities and suicide bombings against Israelis by promising monetary rewards to the families of terrorists.
World Council of Churches- This interest group is founded purely on principles of morality, and believes that the Iraq war was "immoral, illegal, and ill-advised." They opposed the war because they foresaw grave humanitarian consequences, including civilian casualties and displacement of Iraqi citizens.
Al Qaeda- Osama Bin Laden made a statement on February 13, 2003 calling all Muslims to counteract any U.S. invasion in Iraq.
WHY WE SHOULD STAY IN IRAQ Like Americans, the opinions of the Iraqi people are divided when it comes to whether American troops should remain in Iraq. According to the New York Times the Iraqi people are divided mainly into three groups: those who just want the Americans to leave, those who are afraid that if the American troops leave abruptly their security will be at stake, and those who worry that without America intervening Iraq's dominant groups, the Kurds and the Shiites will over power all other groups. Those who want the American troops to leave and do nothing more "includes many followers of the Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr, and some intensely nationalist Sunni Arabs in parts of the country that have suffered the worst since the invasion." According to the Iraqi people who want America out of their country, nothing America can do will make up for "destruction of society and the killing of innocent civilians" that has occurred since the beginning of the occupation. Others feel that if America abruptly exits from Iraq the security they have gained will be vulnerable. They also have a negative view on the occupation of Iraq, but would prefer America rather than returning to former ways of ruling. The third group fears that with out America moderating the main powers, the Kurds in the north and Shiites in the center and south, will viciously dominate all other groups.
In 2005, after his fourth visit to Iraq, Joe Lieberman said that there was “real progress” in Iraq, but that more work needed to be done. “The Iraqi people are in reach of a watershed transformation from the primitive, killing tyranny of Saddam to modern, self-governing, self-securing nationhood--unless the great American military that has given them and us this unexpected opportunity is prematurely withdrawn,” Lieberman said. This war is between 27 million Iraqi people and 10,000 terrorists, who are trying to stop the Iraqi people from gaining their freedom. Lieberman said, “we are fighting on the side of the 27 million because the outcome of this war is critically important to the security and freedom of America. If the terrorists win, they will be emboldened to strike us directly again and to further undermine the growing stability and progress in the Middle East, which has long been a major American national and economic security priority.”Wall Street Journal
World Public Opinion
WHY WE SHOULD LEAVE IRAQ
The confidence of the American people is down when it comes to the war in Iraq. Most adult Americans oppose the war, according to a poll released by CNN 65% of Americans oppose the war. Many dislike the way that the Bush administration approaches the war, according to a poll from CBS News and the New York Times 54% of Americans believe that the Bush administration focuses too much on the war in Iraq. Angus Reid Support of the war was at a record low in May 2007 when only 35% of Americans thought the invasion of Iraq was the right thing to do and 61% thought we should have stayed out according to the New York Times/ CBS News Poll. New York Times Most of the American people want the government to establish a time table for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. According to a poll released by the associated press, 59% of Americans want a time line established. Angus Reid
According to the Washington Post, American troops America can leave Iraq in a year or longer by removing 10,000 troops and 10,000 contractors a month. Anthony Cordesman, from the center for Strategic and International Studies, says that the US could exit faster if the US and Iraqi forces abandoned and destroyed more facilities and equipment. Both Democrats and some Republicans are pushing for a partial withdraw of troops from Iraq, but reducing the number of troops will not reduce the risk and casualties unless the remaining troops are moved somewhere they can not easily be targeted. The number of casualties in Iraq was at a high last year with 904, but seems to be at a low this year with 280 so far, according to iCasualties.
Wall Street Journal/ NBC News Poll
Do you think that George W. Bush has or has not given good reasons for why the United States must keep troops in Iraq?
constitution? More specifically, do you think that we should have an immediate and orderly withdrawal of all troops from Iraq, or not?
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,006 American adults, conducted from Dec. 9 to Dec. 12, 2005. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
Angus Reid Polls
Well
Badly
Well
Badly
On Iraq
Afghanistan
About Right
U.S. Military Deaths By Year/Month
iCasualties
1. Majoritarian- Politics in which almost everyone benefits from the policy and almost everyone pays for it.
2. Entrepeneurial- Defined as the policies that benefit society as a whole but which impose a heavy cost on some small identifiable segment of society.
3. Client- The politics of policy-making in which some small group receives the benefits from a policy and the public at large bears the cost.
4. Interest Groups- Politics in which one small group receives the benefit of the policy and one small group bears the cost.
What type of politics is being practiced by the Bush administration?
The Bush administration's policies in regard to the decision to invade Iraq were initially presented as Majoritarian politics. The general American public was supposed to receive the benefits of security from terrorists post 9/11, and (possibly) cheaper fuel, and the public as a whole was supposed to pay for these benefits. However the purpose of America's military occupation in Iraq was not achieved and did not benefit the public as a whole. The lower classes of America paid the bulk of the cost of the war in the lives of their loved ones, future generations of middle and upper class Americans are expected to pay off the trillion dollar national debt in taxes, and society is still not benefiting from reduced terrorist threat or decreases in the price of oil. Since the policies of the Bush administration during the Iraq war still only benefit construction companies such as Halliburton while imposing the financial ramifications of the war on the middle and upper classes and the emotional ramifications of the war on poor families whose sons' lives have been claimed by the endless conflict, the Bush administration actually practiced Client politics throughout the military altercations happening in Iraq.