Lecture #6: Bureaucracies, Groups, and Individuals in the Foreign Policy Process March 23, 2017 POLI 140

Rational Action Model Rational Action Model says when want to explain behavior we ask “what did they hope to gain?” i.e. actors have goals, and behaviors have reasons Expected utility theory – payoffs and probabilities Multiply the benefit times the chance of it happening Assumes clearly defined preferences Consider possible policy outcomes, evaluate the outcomes Select the one that achieves objectives with minimal costs Problems: assumes accurate information, what is the unit of analysis?, flawed decision makers – see what they want & limited capacity

Foreign Policy Analysis Foreign policy analysis attempts to understand states’ behavior in terms of actors and processes Bureaucratic focus Decision making focus Psychological focus All tend to focus on the executive branch

Branches of Government The executive branch is main player in foreign policy Article II powers of the US Constitution give President great power Is commander-in-chief of the army and navy Can negotiate and make treaties Appoints ambassadors President is also the only single person who represents the entire country Central focus point gives President power to handle “national” affairs Single “voice”

Branches of Government There are some sharing of power w/ legislative and judicial Only Congress can declare war Often ignored in practice “War Powers Resolution” gives Presidents 60 days to use troops in combat Hard for members of Congress to override the President, even when they have the authority to do so. Senate must approve treaties and appointments Congress has the “power of the purse” Can defund things it doesn’t like

Branches of Government Judicial Branch can rule on legality of conduct of other branches “Pentagon Papers” and censorship https://youtu.be/F4kQG1bPf2k, https://youtu.be/51WekYfoVOk “Hamdi v. Rumsfeld” and “Hamdan v. Rumsfeld”– civil liberties and human rights https://youtu.be/yP2KbkEHp-M

Bureaucracies in Foreign Policy Bureaucracies or “ministries” or “departments” take vital role in determining actions of states Ministry of foreign affairs Ministry of defenses Ministry of trade Intelligence CIA (MI6) does HUMINT, NSA (GCHQ) does SIGINT Law Enforcement and counter-terrorism FBI (MI5)

Who Makes Foreign Policy? Question becomes complex Various bureaucracies have various goals Assisting president Maintaining career Furthering budget Attaining “mission” President fights w/ congress and courts…. Public opinion constrains