How US Foreign Policy Works and Who Decides It

CrashCourse

In this final episode of Crash Course Government and Politics, host Craig Benzine explores the complex and often paradoxical world of United States foreign policy. The video breaks down the primary goals of foreign policy—providing security, creating prosperity, and making the world a better place—and analyzes how these priorities have shifted from George Washington's era of isolationism to the modern doctrine of preemption and the war on terror. The content delves into the specific tools the U.S. uses to interact with other nations, including diplomacy, military force, trade agreements, and international organizations like the UN and NATO. It also examines the inherent tension between economic growth and environmental protection, as well as the balance between national sovereignty and international human rights commitments. Finally, the video explains the structural "who's who" of foreign policy creation, highlighting the dominant role of the President and the executive bureaucracy (State Department, CIA, Defense Department) versus the limited but significant check provided by Congress through funding and treaty ratification. This resource is excellent for high school government classes to help students understand how the U.S. interacts with the global community.