Final Study Guide Flashcards
Bricker Amendment
A Constitutional amendment proposed in the 1950s.
Named after Senator John Bricker of Ohio, a neo-isolationist Republican.
Would have ensured Congress’ role in approving all treaties and executive agreements.
Case-Zablocki Act
A federal law signed in 1972.
Required the executive branch to report to Congress within 60 days of entering into international agreements.
The State Department bore such responsibility but often reported late or not at all.
Boland Amendments
A series of legislative amendments passed in the 1980s.
Attached to various pieces of appropriations legislation.
Intended to limit the Reagan administration’s ability to fund the Nicaraguan contras.
Earmarking of Funds
A budgetary process practiced by members of Congress.
Designates certain amounts of money to be spent only in specific regions or for specific purposes.
For example, the U.S. earmarks funds for Israel and Egypt to prevent fighting between the two.
Jackson-Vanik Amendment
An amendment to the Trade Act of 1974.
Prevented presidents from granting most-favored-nation trade status to countries that restrict the emigration of its citizens.
Meant to primarily target the Soviet Union.
Notifications
One of three types of reports from the executive branch to Congress.
Informs members of Congress of certain foreign policy actions.
Often includes the word “consistent” rather than “compliant” to describe an action’s relationship with the War Powers Act
Legislative Veto
An action by which the legislative branch could override executive actions.
A notable example was a provision of the War Powers Act that gave Congress the authority to disengage troops within 60 days of deployment by the President.
Declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
“Where You Stand Depends On Where You Sit”
A catchphrase commonly associated with the bureaucratic politics model.
“Where you stand” refers to one’s opinion on a foreign policy issue.
“Where you sit” refers to one’s position in government.
Antony J. Blinken
The current Secretary of State.
Serves under President Joe Biden.
Known for leading the Biden administration’s reversal of the previous administration’s more nationalist foreign policy agenda.
Ambassador
A diplomat sent to a foreign country.
Represents the United States government and is authorized to conduct foreign policy activities in that country.
Often given to friends of the sitting president.
USAID
Short for the United States Agency of International Development.
A federal government agency founded in 1961 under JFK.
Leads U.S. international development and humanitarian aid efforts.
Jacob J. Sullivan
The current National Security Advisor.
Serves under President Joe Biden.
Also served as the national security advisor to Vice President Biden during the Obama administration.
Joint Chiefs of Staff
Consists of the heads of each military branch, as well as a chairman and vice chairman.
Advises the president on military matters.
They do not have operational command over troops, though.
National Security Agency
An intelligence agency of the U.S. government.
Reports to the Director of National Intelligence.
Collects and processes information for foreign intelligence and counterintelligence operations.
DNI
Short for the Director of National Intelligence.
Oversees the American intelligence community, including the CIA.
Advises the president on intelligence matters.
NSC-DC
Short for the National Security Council.
Consists of senior Cabinet members and national security advisors, including the national security advisor.
Advises the president on foreign policy and national security matters.
DHS
Short for the Department of Homeland Security.
Created by Congress in the aftermath of 9/11.
Assists in responding to foreign and domestic security concerns.
Partisanship
Issue contestation by political parties.
Encompasses disagreements over strategy, tactics, means, and ends of or for U.S. government policy.
Prevalent in today’s political landscape.
Bipartisanship
Issue agreement between political parties.
Encompasses ideological similarities, coalition dynamics, appeals to moderate voters, practical rationality, and responses to external threats.
Was prevalent in the Cold War era until the Vietnam War shattered the consensus.
Foreign Lobbies
Agents that lobby on behalf of foreign governments to advance their interests.
Must register with the U.S. government per the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
China spends the most on foreign lobbies.
Think Tanks
Research institutions that offer policy advice at all levels of government.
They often employ subject-matter experts and former government officials.
Examples include the Heritage Foundation and the Council on Foreign Relations.
AIPAC
Short for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
A coalition of individuals and organizations seeking to advance pro-Israel policies.
Considered one of the most powerful lobbying groups in the U.S.
Heritage Foundation
A prominent think tank.
Leans conservative and advocates for such policies.
Publishes research on domestic and foreign policy that influences decision makers.
Military Industrial Complex
A relationship between the U.S. military and the defense industry.
Its proponents often promote defense spending and militant internationalism.
President Eisenhower warned of the dangers it poses before leaving office.
