Us Wars
Political Science 120A Midterm Study Questions 1. How does public opinion affect foreign policy? Is public opinion permissive or constraining? Does the U.S. public support the use of force? Under what conditions?
-The public holds the president accountable because he needs approval ratings and support, especially during elections. Public can constrain freedom of action (if the public hates something, the president isn’t going to do it), and the public generally supports war when it is a security issue. It opposes casualties though, and in the case of the Vietnam War, the public urged the U.S. to back down.
If the public does not like something: * permissive (could allow president to do something risky) - tends to rally round the flag whenever the president answers a crisis, does something dramatic * rally round the flag: support goes up 5.6% international and dramatic increase to 90% after 9/11 (Obama after Osama bin Laden was captured) * limit: doesn’t last over time; public doesn’t like casualties * exceptions: criticism would lower rally round flag effect * not willing to fight long wars
U.S. supports foreign policy decisions when it is restraining a nation rather than regime change, mainly because we are casualty averse.
Public opinion can be an excuse not to enact a certain policy - bargaining resource.
2. What roles does the constitution give to Congress in the making of foreign policy? How can Congress contribute constructively to U.S. foreign policy? What role did Congress play in the decision to go to war in Iraq in 2003? Did Congress fulfill its constitutional responsibilities? Why or why not?
The Constitution doesn’t want the president to be too powerful; therefore, there are checks and balances. The framers wanted division of authority in order to balance foreign policy power. This includes the fact that only Congress can declare war, ratify treaties, and make appropriations (funding) for war. War
-The public holds the president accountable because he needs approval ratings and support, especially during elections. Public can constrain freedom of action (if the public hates something, the president isn’t going to do it), and the public generally supports war when it is a security issue. It opposes casualties though, and in the case of the Vietnam War, the public urged the U.S. to back down.
If the public does not like something: * permissive (could allow president to do something risky) - tends to rally round the flag whenever the president answers a crisis, does something dramatic * rally round the flag: support goes up 5.6% international and dramatic increase to 90% after 9/11 (Obama after Osama bin Laden was captured) * limit: doesn’t last over time; public doesn’t like casualties * exceptions: criticism would lower rally round flag effect * not willing to fight long wars
U.S. supports foreign policy decisions when it is restraining a nation rather than regime change, mainly because we are casualty averse.
Public opinion can be an excuse not to enact a certain policy - bargaining resource.
2. What roles does the constitution give to Congress in the making of foreign policy? How can Congress contribute constructively to U.S. foreign policy? What role did Congress play in the decision to go to war in Iraq in 2003? Did Congress fulfill its constitutional responsibilities? Why or why not?
The Constitution doesn’t want the president to be too powerful; therefore, there are checks and balances. The framers wanted division of authority in order to balance foreign policy power. This includes the fact that only Congress can declare war, ratify treaties, and make appropriations (funding) for war. War