1. Lecture 15. The National Security State
Dynamics of Democracy, Ch. 18, cont’d
Hudson, Ch. 8

2. Congress and Foreign Policy
The Constitution assigns Congress considerable influence in foreign policy, including the power to declare war
During the 1950s and 1960s Congress typically deferred to the Executive Branch
During 1970s and 1980s Congressional activism in foreign policy grew
Congressional deference to President increased after 9/11 attacks

3. War Powers Act of 1973
Attempt by Congress to restrain Presidential activism in foreign policy
Reaction to problems of the war in Viet Nam: the Tonkin Gulf resolution, Nixon’s secret bombing of Laos and Cambodia
Requires Congress to approve any American use of troops abroad within days
Requires detailed reporting to Congress of foreign policy actions by the President
Passed over Nixon’s veto; opposed by every president since Jimmy Carter (1977-) regardless of political party

4. Limits on Foreign Policy Role of Congress
Unable to act swiftly in an emergency
Lack of access to current intelligence (the president’s daily intelligence briefing is highly classified)
Partisan conflicts over foreign policy goals
Both parties tend to support the president after military action is initiated
Politically, it is difficult to withhold funds from the military in order to stop presidential foreign actions

5. Future Challenges to U.S. Foreign Policy
Disagreements about the goals and strategies of American foreign policy
A changing foreign policy agenda
Unilateral versus multilateral action: Role of the United Nations, European Union, G-8, etc.
Bush’s doctrine of preemptive war: attacking first to eliminate a potential threat

6. The preemptive war debate
Attacking first would violate the traditional American “no first strike” principle of defense
It requires accurate intelligence as to enemy capabilities and intentions
Intelligence failures: Clinton bombing of the factory in Sudan. No WMDs found in Iraq
It would require unilateral action by the US
It could prevent a terrorist or nuclear attack
It would greatly expand presidential power

7. Potential Problems in U.S. Foreign Policy
The United States will face problems in:
Nuclear proliferation
Military interventions
Economic policy
Globalization
Human rights
High cost of defense
Multilateral versus unilateral action
Homeland security

8. Globalization
Globalization is the process by which growing economic relations and technological change make countries increasingly interdependent.
New problems brought on by globalization:
The drug trade
Acid rain
Labor
Biodiversity
Global warming
Use of resources

9. 18-4c Unilateralism v. Multilateralism
The tendency of the United States to act alone in foreign affairs without consulting other countries.
Multilateralism
An approach in which two or more countries cooperate for the purpose of solving some common problem.

10. Benefits of Multilateralism
Cost of military actions or sanctions are shared
Sharing of intelligence
US is less likely to become the focus of opposition
Aggressive actions by any one country are likely to be constrained or delayed
Examples: Korea , Iraq

11. Costs of Multilateralism
Policies and outcomes may not serve the US national interest
Delay in negotiating policy actions
US troops could be subject to foreign or UN commanders
US military secrets could be exposed

12. Problems with the Iraq War
Faulty intelligence; no WMDs found
Congressional resolution of October 2002 based on faulty intelligence or deception
Other options were not considered during prewar planning. Only war hawks consulted.
Insufficient troop commitment to maintain public order and services after Baghdad fell
No long-term planning for reconstruction of Iraq
No exit strategy
Minimal involvement by allies or the UN
Financed by borrowing rather than budgeting

13. Hudson: Origins of the National Security State
The Cold War; fear of Communism
Ties to American economic imperialism
Efforts by the military-industrial complex to increase its influence and profits
Weakness of opposition groups favoring peace, less defense spending

14. Hudson: Critique of the National Security State
Problems it poses for democracy:
1. Secrecy
2. Centralization
3. Repression of civil liberties
(to be discussed Friday)
4. Distortion by vested interests:
Military-industrial complex
Professional military

15. Secrecy vs. Transparency
Transparency/Openness
Bureaucratic procedures are clearly defined and available to all
Decisions are made in public by those with official responsibilities
Accountability to elected officials, the press, the public
Advocated to encourage trade, foster investment, end corruption
Secrecy
Decisions are made behind closed doors
Few participants; limited options considered
Those responsible are not identified
Lack of accountability by the public, Congress, or the courts
Bad policy results are concealed

16. Hudson: Problems with Centralization of Foreign Policy
Too much power to the President and his advisers
Limited role for Congress
Weakness of War Powers Act of 1973
The public is largely excluded (except to ratify previous decisions)
Better decisions are made when more people are involved; prevent policy errors such as Bay of Pigs, Iran/Contra

17. Distortion
Too much influence by the MIC: military-industrial complex “Iron Triangle”
1. National security bureaucracies
2. Defense contractors
3. Congressional defense committees
Economic impact of defense spending, arms sales abroad
MIC exaggerates threats of the Cold War or terrorism to build its profits
Too little countervailing power

18. Iron Triangles Favorable implementation of the law
Agency or bureau
Favorable implementation of the law
Support for legislative and appropriations requests
Support before congressional committees
Favorable action on constituency services
Favorable formulation of laws relevant to political interest group
Political interest group
Congressional committee or subcommittee
Electoral support (campaign contributions, endorsements, voter mobilization)

19. 13-4d Political Constraints on The Federal Bureaucracy Other Congress
Agencies
The
President
The Courts
Interest
Groups

20. Constraints by Congress
Hold hearings to assess performance
Cut or increase budget
Oversight of rules and spending
Can reorganize, cut out, merge departments or agencies

21. Constraints by the President
Can recommend budget cuts or downsizing
Can appoint cabinet secretaries or SES officials on the basis of ideology or loyalty, not competence
Can fire senior civil servants

22. Other Constraints on Bureaucracy
Interest groups may challenge regulations, urge budget cuts, demand hiring of sympathetic officials
Courts may disallow certain regulations
Courts may permit lawsuits against agencies or rules (such as class-action lawsuits on environmental restrictions)
The media may expose corruption or poor performance
Other agencies compete for authority, budgets, office space, presidential support, influence in Congress

23. Lack of Constraints on Military-Industrial Complex
Strength of “iron triangle”
Growing influence of professional military
Large share of the federal budget
Military spending sought by state/local governments
Courts seldom intervene
Fear and secrecy deceive the public

24. Hudson: Reforms of the National Security State
Restore the role of Congress
Dismantle the Military-Industrial Complex
Reassert civilian control of the military
Renounce preventive war
Support multilateralism
Promote democratic values abroad and at home
More effective policies to combat terrorism