Question 1

Foreign policy decisions are often sensitive to public opinion. Explain why this is so. Discuss an example that illustrates how foreign policy making has been sensitive to public opinion. Should U.S. foreign policy be sensitive to public opinion? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Foreign policy decisions are often sensitive to...

Question 2

The U.S. economy relies heavily on trade with other nations. What is a positive consequence of this?

Accepted Answer

Trade allows American companies to access larger markets, resulting in increased sales and profits. This can lead to job creation and economic growth.

Question 3

Explain the difference between isolationism and internationalism. How has U.S. foreign policy shifted over time, and why? Which foreign policy perspective should the United States follow in the present day, and why? Explain your reasoning.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the difference between isolationism and internationalism....

Question 4

The United States has several tools to make or influence foreign policy. Identify and explain three methods that the United States can use to implement foreign policy. Which tools and methods tend to be most effective under various circumstances?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The United States has several tools to...

Question 5

What are weapons of mass destruction? What international agreements exist to regulate them? Which countries currently possess them? How far should the United States be willing to go to ensure that a country no longer has nuclear weapons? How would a realist respond to the last question, and how would it differ from an idealist's response?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are weapons of mass destruction? What...

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a major question raised by globalization?

Accepted Answer

While concerns about lobbying and foreign influence exist in politics generally, they are not specific to globalization and trade. The other questions are all major concerns raised by globalization.

Question 7

What is globalization? What are some advantages and disadvantages of globalization? Overall, has the United States benefited from globalization? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is globalization? What are some advantages...

Question 8

Which international agreement aims to stop the spread of nuclear weapons?

Accepted Answer

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is an international agreement aimed at stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The treaty was signed in 1968 and has 191 state parties as of 2020. It is considered to be the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation regime.

Question 9

Explain the domino theory. How did the domino theory influence U.S. foreign policy decisions during the Cold War? Was the domino theory proven correct? Defend your answer by drawing from at least one historical example.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the domino theory. How did the...

Question 10

What is the difference between realism and idealism? Using the United States' involvement in the Iraq war as an example, how would a realist view the motivations of this action, and how would an idealist view the motivations of this action? Which perspective-realism or idealism-do you find more convincing? Explain your reasoning.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the difference between realism and...

Question 11

The U.S. economy relies heavily on trade with other nations. What is a negative consequence of this?

Accepted Answer

The heavy reliance on trade with other nations makes it more difficult for the U.S. economy to shield itself from the effects of another nation's hard times. For example, if a major trading partner experiences an economic recession, it will likely lead to decreased demand for U.S. exports and could ultimately harm the U.S. economy.

Question 12

Interest groups deploy a variety of tactics in an attempt to influence foreign policy making. Discuss one interest group that is active in attempting to influence U.S. foreign policy, and explain how this group tries to accomplish its goals. Overall, are there more positives or negatives that result from interest group activities when it comes to foreign policy making?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Interest groups deploy a variety of tactics...

Question 13

The presidency, Congress, and the federal courts all influence foreign policy making. Which entity is the most influential and why? Is any one of the branches too powerful, or is there a proper balance of power among the different branches of government when it comes to foreign policy? Use an example to illustrate your argument.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The presidency, Congress, and the federal courts...

Question 14

As of 2014, which country is believed to have nuclear weapons without approval from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty?

Accepted Answer

North Korea is widely believed to have nuclear weapons without approval from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Question 15

What is the difference between multilateral and unilateral action? Are there any advantages of one approach compared to the other? Should the United States take a multilateral or a unilateral approach to fighting the war on terrorism? Explain your reasoning.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the difference between multilateral and...

Question 16

An idealist would argue that the United States should remain in Afghanistan because leaving the nation could:

Accepted Answer

An idealist focuses on moral and ethical considerations, such as preventing human suffering, which aligns with the concern about a civil war causing suffering for the Afghan people.

Question 17

Nuclear bombs, nerve gas, and anthrax are all examples of what?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear bombs, nerve gas, and anthrax are all examples of weapons of mass destruction.

Quiz 17: Foreign Policy