Question 1

What foreign policy philosophy contends that the United States' best interests are served by avoiding formal agreements and activity with other nations?

Accepted Answer

Isolationism is a foreign policy philosophy that advocates avoiding formal agreements and activity with other nations, with the belief that the United States' best interests are served by staying out of foreign affairs and focusing on domestic issues. Isolationism was most prevalent in the years leading up to World War II, but it has been a recurring theme in American foreign policy throughout history.

Question 2

The National Security Council primarily assists the U.S. Congress by keeping the legislative branch informed of national security threats.

Accepted Answer

The National Security Council primarily advises and assists the President of the United States on national security matters. Its role is to coordinate policy and strategy among various government agencies in order to protect and promote U.S. security interests. While the council may provide briefings to members of Congress, it does not have a direct responsibility for keeping the legislative branch informed of security threats. That task falls under the jurisdiction of other government agencies, such as the Intelligence Community and the Department of Defense.

Question 3

Idealists might favor action against the Syrian government because they believe the United States is morally obligated to protect innocent civilians from violence and to uphold human rights.

Accepted Answer

Idealists prioritize morality and human rights, and believe that the US should intervene to protect innocent civilians from violence and oppression.

Question 4

Numerous nations have coordinated their efforts to deter pirate attacks against civilian shipping. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Multilateral action refers to multiple countries working together towards a common goal. In this case, multiple nations are working together to deter pirate attacks against civilian shipping.

Question 5

Interest groups play a very small role in foreign policy because foreign governments are prohibited from lobbying.

Accepted Answer

Interest groups do play a role in foreign policy, even if foreign governments are prohibited from lobbying. Interest groups can still advocate for certain foreign policy positions and influence public opinion and policymakers through various means, such as media campaigns, grassroots mobilization, and financial contributions. Additionally, some interest groups represent domestic constituencies that are directly affected by foreign policy decisions, such as businesses that rely on international trade or immigrants with ties to other countries.

Question 6

An example of how trade policy can influence foreign policy occurred in the 1990s when the Clinton administration bestowed "most-favored-nation" status on China in exchange for China's willingness to moderate its human rights policies.

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately reflects how trade policy was used to influence foreign policy in the 1990s. The Clinton administration believed that by granting China most-favored-nation status, it would incentivize China to make progress on human rights issues.

Question 7

The rise of internationalism as a guiding principle in U.S. foreign policy can be seen in U.S. efforts to create the United Nations in 1945.

Accepted Answer

The establishment of the United Nations was a clear example of the rise of internationalism in U.S. foreign policy, as it demonstrated a commitment to global cooperation and collective security.

Question 8

The U.S. policy of containment during the Cold War represented the United States' attempt to enforce the Monroe Doctrine.

Accepted Answer

The U.S. policy of containment during the Cold War was aimed at preventing the spread of communism globally, not enforcing the Monroe Doctrine, which was primarily about opposing European colonialism in the Americas.

Question 9

An internationalist would support U.S. efforts to provide humanitarian aid to people in a foreign nation engulfed in a civil war, even if other nations were unwilling to help.

Accepted Answer

An internationalist would prioritize the welfare of all individuals, regardless of nationality or political affiliation, and would support efforts to provide aid to those in need, even if it means acting alone or in spite of opposition from other nations.

Question 10

Foreign policy includes issues that concern human rights.

Accepted Answer

Foreign policy often involves decisions and actions related to promoting and protecting human rights around the world, such as supporting democratic movements, advocating against human rights abuses, and providing humanitarian aid to countries suffering from conflicts or disasters.

Question 11

Isolationists favored the war in Iraq because the United States was attempting to maximize its own economic and national security interests.

Accepted Answer

Isolationists are those who believe in avoiding involvement in foreign affairs and conflicts. Therefore, they would not have favored the war in Iraq, since it involved the United States in a foreign conflict. Additionally, the reasons for the war in Iraq were largely based on concerns about weapons of mass destruction and terrorism, rather than economic and national security interests.

Question 12

What foreign policy philosophy contends that the motivating factor of a nation's international decision-making process is (or should be) that nation's own interests?

Accepted Answer

Realism is the foreign policy philosophy that contends that a nation's self-interest should be the motivating factor of its international decision-making process. Realists argue that the international system is inherently competitive and that states must prioritize their own interests to survive and thrive in a dangerous world. This philosophy is often contrasted with idealism, which emphasizes moral and ideological values in international relations.

Question 13

The United Kingdom, China, France, Russia, and the United States serve on the United Nations Security Council.

Accepted Answer

This is true, as the United Kingdom, China, France, Russia, and the United States are the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

Question 14

What foreign policy philosophy contends that it is in the United States' best interests to pursue foreign relations with other nations out of both self-interest and a moral obligation to intervene during international crises?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What foreign policy philosophy contends that it...

Question 15

The difference between the foreign policies of President George W. Bush and President Obama is that Bush acted as a realist while Obama acted as an idealist.

Accepted Answer

Bush's foreign policy was characterized by a focus on national security and the use of military force to protect American interests, which aligns with the realist approach. Obama, on the other hand, emphasized diplomacy and multilateralism, seeking to work with other nations to address global challenges, which aligns with the idealist approach.

Question 16

Invading Afghanistan in response to the 9/11 attacks is an example of the Bush Doctrine.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Invading Afghanistan in response to the 9/11...

Question 17

U.S. antiterror actions that are not coordinated with other nations are an example of:

Accepted Answer

Unilateral action refers to actions taken by a country without the cooperation or agreement of other nations. Therefore, U.S. antiterror actions that are not coordinated with other nations are an example of unilateral action.

Question 18

The United States' operating on its own to target and kill Osama bin Laden is an example of a unilateral action.

Accepted Answer

Unilateral action means taking action on one's own without any consultation or agreement with others. In this case, the United States did not seek the permission or cooperation of any other country to carry out the mission to kill Osama bin Laden. Therefore, the answer is A.

Question 19

The efforts of the "Six Powers" to negotiate limits with Iran on its nuclear program is an example of a unilateral action.

Accepted Answer

The negotiation involving Six Powers and Iran is a multilateral action.

Question 20

Between 1945 and the Vietnam War, architects of U.S. foreign policy primarily had an isolationist viewpoint.

Accepted Answer

Between 1945 and the Vietnam War, architects of U.S. foreign policy primarily had an interventionist viewpoint, seeking to prevent the spread of communism and promote democracy around the world through military and economic aid. This was known as the policy of containment.

Quiz 15: Foreign Policy