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Understanding Presidential Power in Foreign Affairs

May 2, 2025

Lecture Notes: Presidential Power in Foreign Affairs

Introduction

  • Location: North side of the White House
  • West Wing: Offices for the president and top advisors
    • Key decisions made here:
      • Lyndon Johnson's decision to escalate Vietnam War
      • George W. Bush's decision to invade Afghanistan and later Iraq
      • Presidents often seek Congress approval but also act on their own authority

Presidential Authority in Foreign Policy

  • Roles:
    • Chief Diplomat
      • Power to receive ambassadors
      • Power to make treaties (subject to Senate approval)
    • Commander-in-Chief
      • Constitutionally granted; more concise than Congress's war-making powers
  • Historical Context:
    • James Madison: Executive war authority should be reactive
    • Modern practice often leans towards unilateral presidential action

Advantages Over Congress

  • Information Advantage:

    • Access to daily briefings from state and defense departments
    • Intelligence agencies (CIA, NSA) closely tied to the president
    • Example: Iraq War intelligence and Senator Byrd's request
  • Leadership Advantage:

    • Unified executive authority versus divided congressional authority
    • Hamilton's Federalist 74: Single executive necessary for foreign policy
    • Example: Trade agreements like NAFTA negotiated by the president

Presidential Powers in Foreign Affairs

  • Executive Agreements:

    • Treaty-like, but do not require Senate approval
    • Presidents prefer them for ease and bypassing Senate
    • Historical context: 15,000 agreements post-WWII
  • Military Action:

    • Since WWII, no wars formally declared by Congress
    • Presidents often act on own authority
    • Example: Reagan's invasion of Grenada

Influence and Limitations

  • Congressional Role:

    • Can influence by withholding funds, but rarely practical
    • Public opinion as a major check on presidential wars
    • Example: Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan withdrawals
  • Public Opinion:

    • Presidents can sway public towards war (e.g., Bush's Iraq War efforts)
    • Public disillusionment limits presidential actions

Historical Shift to Presidential Control

  • Constitutional Miscalculation:
    • Framers intended Congress to control war decisions
    • Modern security demands favor quick executive action
    • Quick response capacity shifted power to the president

Conclusion

  • President's Foreign Affairs Authority:
    • Resting on chief diplomat and commander-in-chief roles
    • Strong control due to information and leadership advantages
    • Ability to act unilaterally in foreign policy more than domestic