Presidents and Foreign Policy

Contemporary presidents encounter information overload when it comes to foreign affairs. There is no possible way a president can review everything without the help of other individuals. Because of this need for additional resources, special groups and positions are established within the administration to guarantee that such information is processed properly, the right course of action is agreed upon, and what is implemented comes to fruition.

"The growth of the president's authority in foreign and military affairs has been the consequence of several factors: the increasing involvement of the United States within the international community, the public's desire for strong, personal leadership to direct that involvement; and the political ramifications of that leadership on the administration and its policy goals" (Edwards & Wayne 485). With the president's increased authority comes more direct power to the executive office, yet he must also rely on additional groups for information. Among these groups include the Departments of Treasury, State, Agriculture, and the Office of Management and Budget.

One of the most important organizations to the president is the National Security Council [NSC]. "Its mandate is broad-to help define goals and priorities; and to suggest specific courses of action" (Edwards & Wayne 489). President Truman was the first to provide the NSC with staff support, and it has played a role since then. However, "the relative decline of the NSC's role as an advisory body has coincided with the increasing responsibility of the president's national security advisor and the growth of a policy staff to support these expanded responsibilities" (Edwards & Wayne 492). It is worth noting that the liason to national security affairs was created during the Kennedy administration has continually increased in prestige. Duties of this position include overseeing coordination of the security agenda, informing the president of international developments, and briefing him for visits with foreign leaders.

Presidents also use their advisors to help them learn from previous mistakes. "Kennedy's triumph in the missile crisis demonstrated that he had matured considerably since the Bay of Pigs fiasco" (Milkis & Nelson 329). Vietnam proved a major weakness for Johnson whereas it became a controversial example of presidential power for Nixon. Another example given by Milkis and Nelson is the Carter administration. "Carter's failures with Congress may also be attributed in part to the inexperience of his staff, which consisted mainly of 'the provincial veterans of his campaign team'" (Milkis & Nelson 357). Finally, the Reagan administration illustrates the cohesiveness of the president and his advisors.

WORKS CITED:

Edwards, George C & Wayne, Stephen J. Presidential Leadership. Thomson Wadsworth: Belmont, CA.

2006.

Milkis, Sidney M. and Nelson, Michael. The American Presidency: Origins and Development. Congressional Quarterly, Inc.: Washington, D.C. 2007.