Carl Marcy
Abstract: This article examines the relationship between the executive and legislative branches of the United States government in foreign policy decision-making. Although it is becoming increasingly common for the executive to be portrayed as the primary authority with regard to foreign policy, this article argues that such power should rest with Congress. Furthermore, the article claims that foreign policy, just like domestic policies, should reflect the beliefs and preferences of the American people, and that the representatives of Congress are best positioned to ensure the acts of the government abroad reflect their constituent’s interests. Often, in defence of strong, executive-led foreign policy, the President will cite knowledge of auxiliary, classified information, not disclosed to Congress or the public, on which they have made their decisions. Thus, to uphold the virtues of representative democracy in the United States, this article asserts that the open flow of information between the executive and legislature must be maintained.
Keywords: foreign policy, policy-making, diplomats, ambassadors, secrecy, classified information, executive branch
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