Foreign Policy Concepts and US History

Foreign Policy Concepts

• National Interest: Each country develops a foreign policy to advance or protect its security, economy, culture, and societal functions.
• Hegemony: Belief that a country has influence that extends beyond its own borders.
• Egocentrism: A nation prioritizing its own systems and policies, neglecting others'.
• Nationalism: Considered a positive trait, essential for a nation's survival.
• Confusion of Terminology: A country's defensive weapons can be perceived as offensive by others, potentially leading to an arms race.
• Irredentism: Claims to lands disputed between nations.

US Foreign Policy History

• American Isolationism: A historical stance of the US avoiding entanglement in global affairs.
• Manifest Destiny: 19th-century US belief in its right to expand across North America, used to justify actions against Native Americans.
• Monroe Doctrine: US foreign policy opposing European colonization in the Western Hemisphere. Key points: no more colonization, no interference in European affairs, and European intervention in the Americas viewed as hostile.
• Spanish-American War (1898): Conflict between the US and Spain, resulting in the US acquiring territories (Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines), and establishing it as a world power.
• Roosevelt Corollary: Extension of the Monroe Doctrine, asserting the US right to intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability and prevent European interference
• Confrontational Balance(WW1), Triple Entente, Triple Alliance: Two opposing alliances in WWI: Entente(France, Britain) responding to German naval power & Alliance(Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy). Leading to WW1
• 1917 Communist Revolution: Key event leading to the Cold War, establishing the Soviet Union as the main antagonist to US and capitalist allies.
• Treaty of Versailles: Ended WWI between Germany and Allied Powers.
• League of Nations: International peacekeeping organization proposed by Woodrow Wilson in his Fourteen Points.
• Unipolar Balance: Post WWI era with US isolationism, demilitarization, and rise of Germany as a military power. Led to rise of WW2

Cold War and Beyond

• Cold War (1947-1991): Period of tension between US and Soviet Union, fuelled by fear of communist expansion.
• Truman Doctrine: US policy supporting democratic nations facing authoritarian threats.
• Berlin Crisis (1958-1961): Conflict over Berlin, culminating in the Berlin Wall.
• Marshall Plan: US economic aid to post-WWII Western Europe.
• Carter Doctrine: Emphasized human rights and US interests in the Middle East.
• Nixon Doctrine: US strategy of detente, relaxing tensions with the USSR.
• Reagan Doctrine: US policy of confronting the USSR, using "peace through strength" and domestic growth to its advantage.
• Unipolar balance post-WW1: Era of US isolationism, neutrality laws, and demilitarization.
• Bipolar balance post-WW2: Era of US involvement in world affairs, containing communism.
• Polycentric: Post-Cold War era with many centers of power, nationalism, terrorism, weapons proliferation.
• Bush Doctrine: Policy of preemptive action against perceived threats.

International Economic Organizations

• WTO (World Trade Organization): International body establishing global trade rules.
• IMF (International Monetary Fund): Organization promoting global financial stability.

Military Strategy

• Encirclement: Military tactic to isolate an enemy force.
• Eisenhower Doctrine: US military and economic aid to Middle Eastern nations facing external threats.

Wars (Specific to text):

• Korean War & Vietnam War: US intervention to prevent communist expansion during the Cold War.

Other Concepts

• Social Contract Theory: Theory of origin of society, rights, and responsibilities.
• Capitalism: Economic system where private individuals own the means of production
• Mercantilism: Policy to increase national wealth by maximizing exports and minimizing imports.
• Articles of Confederation: First US constitution.
• Stamp Act Congress/Continental Congress: Colonies' agreement against a common enemy (England)
• Shay's Rebellion: Uprising against high taxes/economic conditions in Massachusetts.
• Connecticut Compromise: US Congress structure (Senate & House of Representatives) establishing representation.
• Federalism: System dividing power between federal and state governments
• Virginia & New Jersey Plans: Constitutional convention proposals on government structure.
• Enumerated Powers: Specific powers granted to the federal government by the constitution
• Reserved Powers: Powers reserved for the states.
• Concurrent Powers: Powers shared by federal & state governments
• Implied Powers Powers not explicitly listed in Constitution but implied.
• Original Jurisdiction: Trial court jurisdiction for a case
• Appellate Jurisdiction: Reviewing decisions from lower courts
• Writ of Certiorari: Supreme Court review of lower court decisions ("Rule of Four")
• Apportionment: Distribution of House of Representatives seats among states.
• Impeachment: Process of removing government officials.
• Advice and Consent: Senate's role in approving treaties & presidential appointments.
• Legislative Oversight: Congress's monitoring of executive branch polices.
• Progressive Tax: Tax rate increases with income.
• Regressive Tax: Tax rate decreases with income.
• Appropriations Bills: Authorize government spending.
• Ways and Means Committee: Reviews/recommends government budgets.
• Standing Committees: Permanent legislative committees.
• Filibuster: Tactic used in the Senate (by extending debates) to delay or prevent votes.
• Cloture: Procedure to end a filibuster.
• Override Veto: Congress can override a presidential veto by ⅔ vote.
• Conference Committee: Resolves differences between House and Senate bills.
• Gerrymandering: Manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor a political party.
• Tax Exemption: Avoiding taxation of certain individuals/entities.
• Tax Credit: Amount subtracted from income tax.
• Tax Deferral: Paying taxes at a later date.
• Tax Burden: Percent of income going to taxes.
• Tax Base Breadth: Total amount subject to taxation.
• Inflation (cost-push/demand-pull): Changes in prices due to factors and/or demand
• Recession: Two consecutive quarters of economic decline.
• Fiscal Policy: Government use of taxation/spending to influence the economy
• House of Representatives: 435 members, 2-year terms, 25 years old requirement
• US Senate: 100 members, 6-year terms, 30 years old requirement, 1/3 re-election each year
• Dates of ratification: Constitution, Bill of Rights
• First Three Articles: Establish legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
• Privileges and Immunities Clause: Equal treatment of state citizens in other states
• Full Faith and Credit Clause: Mutual respect among states for public records and legal processes
• National Supremacy: Federal government law takes precedence over state law
• Selective Incorporation: Applying Bill of Rights to states gradually.
• Amendments 13-26: Key amendments in US history.
• Autonomy: Self-governing
• Autarky: Self-sufficiency
• Articles of Confederation: First US Constitution
• Checks and Balances: Separating powers
• Direct Democracy: Citizens deciding laws directly
• John Locke: Philosopher on natural rights