Midterm Exam Study Guide American Foreign Policy Chowdhury Rutgers University Spring 2020 The midterm exam will consist of any three of the following five questions. The instructor will choose the three questions to include on the exam, so students should prepare for and be familiar with the answers to all of the questions below. The answers to each question must be written in essay format, and at least 3-4 paragraphs in length. All parts of the question must be answered in order to receive the full allotted points for each question. Students are encouraged to use information from course readings to answer these questions. 1. Define foreign policy. Which theoretical perspective[s] (realism, liberalism, constructivism OR choose another) best guides our thinking about U.S. foreign policy today? Identify five foreign policy problems facing the United States today, and your approach to dealing with these problems. 2. Define and describe the United States’ dominant foreign policy approach of isolationism in the earlier years (prior to the 20th century). Discuss the significance of Washington’s Farewell Address, and the Monroe Doctrine in solidifying the isolationist foreign policy approach during this time. What are the future prospects of the United States becoming isolationist again? 3. Define and describe the United States’ dominant foreign policy approach of containment during the Cold War era? Discuss the significance of George Kennan’s Long Telegram and Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech in shifting the US’ approach towards the Soviet Union. What was the United States’ perspective of the Soviet Union at this time? What was Soviet Union’s perspective of the US? 4. Define and describe the United States’ dominant foreign policy approaches in the Post- Cold War era. Discuss George H Bush’s reference to the “new world order” and Bill Clinton’s democracy promotion and trade expansion efforts. Discuss George W. Bush’s reference to the Axis of evil and the foreign policy shifts that occurred as a response to the attacks on September 11, 2001. 5. Discuss the constitutional role[s] of the executive and the legislative branches in foreign policy making in the United States. What are the various roles of the president in foreign affairs? Discuss how presidents over time have expanded presidential powers in foreign policy. What are the legislative checks on the President’s foreign policy powers? Does the president have too much power in foreign policy making?