The term foreign policy refers to the official acts of government aimed at conducting international affairs. It encompasses diplomatic relations, trade policy, military alliances and agreements, and security issues. In addition, it may refer to the way a country reaches out to the world’s people through development programs and humanitarian aid.
Scholars distinguish between two kinds of foreign policy, hard and soft. Hard policies involve the use of force and threat of force to achieve foreign policy goals. These include military intervention, economic sanctions, and nuclear deterrence. Soft policies involve appeals to cooperation and persuasion. These include cultural exchanges, public diplomacy, and other forms of influence.
The goal of American foreign policy is to promote a world order in which more people are free and prosperous. The United States has the power to do so, but it must exercise that power wisely. Unless employed skillfully, America’s unrivaled military and economic superiority could breed resentment, even among the United States’ closest allies.
Lawmakers and the executive branch are involved in foreign policy making, but Congress has a major role to play. Legislation pertaining to foreign policy is typically handled by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which has six standing subcommittees that oversee issues such as international humanitarian assistance and democracy promotion.
The president has broad statutory and constitutional powers related to foreign policy. When it comes to exercising those powers, however, the Supreme Court’s decisions in Curtiss-Wright Export Corporation and Youngstown Sheet & Tube Company v. Sawyer have influenced executive branch interpretations of the president’s authority in particular situations.