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Flashcards in WS-3 US Policy Deck (4)
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1
Q

Define foreign policy.

A

Concerns about the projection of national power, survival, and the wellbeing of the state, as well as military capabilities; to protect the nation from external threats and to create an environment that enhances the United States’ ability to achieve our national interests

2
Q

Describe the three groups that form public opinion.

A

Uninformed public - more than three-quarters of the population; doesn’t seek information about foreign affairs; does not form opinions consistently unless own interests are directly affected by events (war), event receives wide publicity (Iranian hostage crisis), or efforts are made to mobilize it.

Informed public – one fifth of population; citizens who regularly keep up with, and form, opinions about foreign affairs and national security policy

Effective public – less than 5%; actively seeks to influence policy; actively put forward and advocate various policy alternatives

3
Q

Identify the main ideas of our foreign policies from 1776 to the present.

A

Isolationism - neutrality and nonentanglement, including a policy of freedom for commerce; pronouncement of neutrality and the right to trade with belligerent states; Monroe Doctrine (American Continents no longer to be considered objects for future colonization by European powers; any attempt to interfere with countries of Western Hemisphere that had declared independence would be considered a threat to US security)

Imperialism – Hawaii, Samoa and Panama Canal

Pacifism - attitude or policy of nonresistance; failed to secure disarmament by agreement, moved to disarmament by example to show good intentions

UN Cooperation

Containment - halt Soviet territorial expansion

4
Q

Identify the main ideas of each of our deterrent strategies.

A

Massive Retaliation Strategy – US nuclear arsenal; maintaining strategic superiority and a technological edge; use nuclear weapons “at a time and place of our choosing “to protect our national interests

Graduated Response Strategy - placed tactical nukes around the Sino-Soviet perimeter to counter a large conventional attack; allied with japan

Flexible Response Strategy – United States must be capable of responding to any level of conflict—from a nuclear engagement to a small crisis

Realistic Deterrence Strategy - United States widened its nuclear umbrella and offered assistance to those in need (Security Assistance Program); would not supply the majority of personnel if a conflict erupted, only hardware and economic aid

Contemporary Containment Strategy - rebuild US military forces and put an end to inaction against the advances of communism; declaring worthy all armed resistance to communism; prevent troubled Third World countries from turning to the Soviets by being more involved in the Security Assistance Program, helping these countries recover without Communist influence.