Question 1

Some U.S.antiterror operations,such as the mission in Pakistan to target and kill Osama bin Laden,are examples of unilateral action.

Accepted Answer

Unilateral action refers to an action taken by a single country or group without the participation or agreement of other countries or organizations. The mission in Pakistan to target and kill Osama bin Laden was carried out by the United States without the involvement or approval of the Pakistani government, making it an example of unilateral action.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Interest groups can play a significant role in foreign policy by advocating for their interests and lobbying the US government. Foreign governments themselves may be prohibited from lobbying, but interest groups representing foreign countries can still engage in lobbying efforts.

Question 3

The Monroe Doctrine stated that the United States would remain loyal to Great Britain if the British,in turn,agreed not to invade the United States or occupy areas in North and South America.

Accepted Answer

The Monroe Doctrine was actually a statement made by US President James Monroe in 1823, declaring that the United States would not tolerate any new European colonization of the Americas or any interference by European powers in the affairs of independent American countries. It did not involve any agreement with Great Britain.

Question 4

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 creation of the United Nations in 1945 was a significant example of the U.S. embracing internationalism and working with other nations to promote global cooperation and peace.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The United Kingdom, France, and the United States are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, but Germany and Russia are not. Russia is a permanent member, but Germany is not.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Isolationists generally oppose getting involved in foreign conflicts, and therefore would not have favored the war in Iraq regardless of economic or national security interests.

Question 7

What foreign policy philosophy contends that it is not only in the United States' best interests to pursue foreign relations with other nations,but also it is the nation's moral obligation to intervene during international crises?

Accepted Answer

Internationalism is the foreign policy philosophy that suggests it is both in the United States' best interests and a moral obligation to engage in foreign relations and intervene in international crises.

Question 8

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 believes in global cooperation and solidarity, and would support the U.S. providing humanitarian aid to a foreign nation in need, regardless of whether other nations were willing to help.

Question 9

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 assists the President in advising and coordinating national security policy. They do not have a direct role in informing the legislative branch of national security threats, but may provide information to Congress at the request of the President.

Question 10

President Obama's use of drone strikes against terrorist targets overseas is a policy that would be opposed by President George W.Bush under the Bush Doctrine.

Accepted Answer

The Bush Doctrine, which emphasizes pre-emptive strikes against potential threats, could have potentially supported the use of drone strikes against terrorist targets overseas. Therefore, it cannot be definitively said that President Bush would have opposed the use of drone strikes in the same way as President Obama.

Question 11

Before the Vietnam War,architects of U.S.foreign policy had a primarily isolationist viewpoint.

Accepted Answer

Before the Vietnam War, architects of U.S. foreign policy had a primarily interventionist viewpoint, as seen in actions such as the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Realism contends that a nation's foreign policy decisions are motivated by its own national interests, rather than by moral or ideological considerations. Realists argue that the international system is inherently anarchic and that nations must act in their own self-interest to survive and thrive in this environment. This stands in contrast to idealism, which emphasizes moral values and principles in foreign policy decision-making, and internationalism, which emphasizes cooperation and collective action among nations. Isolationism and nationalism are also different philosophies in which a nation prioritizes its own interests, but they tend to be more inward-looking and isolationist in their foreign policy approach, whereas realism accommodates engagement with the international system.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Unilateral action is when a country takes action without consulting or coordinating with other nations. In the case of U.S. antiterror actions, such as drone strikes in countries like Pakistan and Yemen, they are often carried out without the approval or coordination of those countries' governments.

Question 14

The Marshall Plan was consistent with the broader foreign policy principles originally outlined in the Monroe Doctrine.

Accepted Answer

The Marshall Plan focused on European economic recovery post-WWII, while the Monroe Doctrine was about opposing European colonialism in the Americas.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Multilateral action refers to cooperation and coordination among multiple nations to achieve a common goal or address a common problem. In this case, the coordinated efforts of numerous nations to deter pirate attacks against civilian shipping indicates a multilateral approach to combatting piracy.

Question 16

Low tariffs benefit American businesses by allowing them to sell their products overseas at a competitive price,whereas high tariffs can help American manufacturers charge lower prices than foreign competitors.

Accepted Answer

Low tariffs allow American businesses to sell their products at a competitive price in foreign markets, which can increase their sales and profits. On the other hand, high tariffs on foreign goods can give American manufacturers a competitive advantage by restricting imports and allowing them to charge lower prices.

Question 17

Foreign policy includes issues that concern human rights.

Accepted Answer

Foreign policy often includes consideration of human rights concerns, both in terms of promoting and protecting human rights globally, as well as advocating for human rights in relationships with other countries.

Question 18

When the United States joined NATO,it committed itself to a bilateral agreement with the nations of western Europe.

Accepted Answer

The United States committed to a multilateral agreement with NATO member countries, not a bilateral one.

Question 19

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 favors minimal involvement in international affairs and avoids formal agreements and activities with other nations. This philosophy became prevalent during the 1920s and 1930s, particularly after World War I, and has been adopted by certain political groups at various times in U.S. history.

Question 20

The policy of containment became the guiding principle of the Truman Doctrine,which shaped U.S.foreign policy throughout much of the Cold War.

Accepted Answer

The policy of containment was indeed the guiding principle of the Truman Doctrine, and it continued to shape U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War period.

Quiz 15: Foreign Policy