The Role of the President and the Executive Branch

1. The Role of the President andthe Executive Branch

2. Overview • Constitutional Powers in Foreign Policy • Growth of Executive Dominance • Influence of the President on Defense policy

3. Samples of Behavior • Explain how the President’s constitutional and political powers influence the foreign policy process • Summarize the growth of executive dominance in foreign affairs • Describe the extent of influence the President exerts on defense policy and spending • ID selected Presidential administration’s defense policies

4. Constitutional Powers (President) • Foreign Policy Powers • Chief Executive • Chief Negotiator and Diplomat • Authority to Appoint & Remove Officials

5. Foreign Policy Powers • Chief Executive • First sentence in Article II: “The Executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States” • “He shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed” • Commander-In-Chief • Does the President have final authority to commit troops abroad?

6. Presidential Constitutional Powers • Chief Negotiator and Diplomat • Executive Agreements • Formal Obligations between US and foreign governments • Do Not require Senate approval • Example: Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) • Authority to appoint and remove officials

7. Presidential Political Powers (Not subject to Congressional checks & balances) • Only “nationally” elected official • Entire federal bureaucracy works for President • Mantle of office • Unparalleled access to media • Presidential power in national security arena

8. Congress’ “Foreign Policy” Constitutional Powers • Power to make and modify any laws • Appropriate funds for implementing laws • Authorized to provide for the nat’l defense • Declare war • To raise and support armies • Regulate international commerce • Make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying out its other responsibilities “Elastic Clause”

9. Growth of Executive Dominance • Historical Precedents • Represent US abroad • Negotiate international agreements • Recognize other states • Initiate conduct of foreign policy

10. Growth of Executive Dominance • Supreme Court Decisions • Generally supported Presidents in foreign policy • Curtiss-Wright case (1936) • Congressional Deference & Delegation • Delegates foreign policy prerogatives to President

11. Executive Institutions and Policy Influences Public Press Congress Government Account Office Congressional Budget Office Executive Departments and Agencies Senate Committees Armed Services House Committees Armed Services Arms Control Agency DOE International Relations Executive Departments Foreign Relations White House Office Interior Domestic Council Treasury Radio/ Television Close Budget Interest Group Budget CIA President FBI NSC OMB Rules Council of Econ Advisors Advisors Energy and National Resources Science and Technology State Justice Office of Science and Technology Policy National Security Agency Commerce Defense OSD, JCS, Army Navy, Air Force, DIA Appropriations Appropriations Governmental Affairs Governmental Operations Interested Individuals

12. Growth of Executive Dominance • Growth of Executive Institutions • Foreign policy machinery of President grew considerably since WWII • National Security Act of 1947 • Created NSC, CIA, and DoD • Gave President an intelligence advisor (CIA) and military advisor (JCS), and national security advisor (Sec of Def)

13. Defense Policy • TRUMAN (Containment) • EISENHOWER (Massive Retaliation) • KENNEDY (Flexible Response) • JOHNSON (Mutual Assured Destruction) • NIXON (Sufficient Deterrence) • FORD • CARTER (Minimum Deterrence) • REAGAN (Peace Through Strength) • BUSH (Peace Through Disarmament) • CLINTON (Engagement) • BUSH, G.W. (Pre-emptive Strike)

14. Summary • Constitutional Powers in Foreign Policy • Growth of Executive Dominance • Influence of the President on Defense policy