Foreign policy is the set of government actions that shape a country’s relationship with the world. A well-crafted foreign policy helps to promote and protect democratic values and freedoms, advance American interests, and prevent the spread of conflict and terror. It includes diplomacy, the development of relationships between nations and international organizations, the making of treaties, and military action.
The United States is the only power in history that truly “rules the world.” Its military reach—on land, sea, and in the air—extends to every corner of the planet. Its economic prowess drives global commerce and production. Its political and cultural appeal, or soft power, influences the decisions of leaders around the globe. As a result, the United States defines and sets most international policies.
America’s role is uniquely challenging. No world-level authority exists to dictate how nations relate to one another, and diplomacy is an ongoing bargain as issues change and governmental leaders and nations shift. Although many cross-national voluntary associations exist, they lack strict enforcement powers over specific nations, which complicates international coordination.
A key challenge in the United States’ foreign policy arena is other countries’ varying ideas about the proper form of government. Relations with democracies tend to function more smoothly, proceeding from the shared core assumption that government’s authority comes from the people. But interactions with monarchies and other nondemocratic governments are often stymied by these differences.
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