Nafta and gatt are ways to lower tariffs and increase

● NAFTA and GATT are ways to lower tariffs and increase trade.
Congress approved the Central American - Dominican Republic
Free trade agreement in 2005.
● Balance of Trade: Ratio of what is paid for imports to what is
earned for exports.
■ Energy
● America depends on imported oil, about 60 percent, but not as
much as other countries like Japan.
● Much of the recoverable oil is in the Middle East which is often
the site of military and economic conflicts.
● Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC): controls
the price of oil and amount its members produce and sell to other
nations.
■ Foreign Aid
● Foreign Aid is used to stabilize nations friendly to the United
States.
● A substantial percentage of foreign aid is military.
● Foreign aid has never been very popular with Americans and is
typically cut by Congress.
● Understanding National Security Policymaking
○ National Security Policy making and Democracy
■ Americans are more interested in domestic than foreign policy.
■ The opinions of the people are rarely ignored.

■ Separation of powers are important.
■ Pluralism is pervasive in foreign policymaking.
○ National Security Policy and the Scope of Government.
■ Scope of government is large.
● Summary
○ The United States has maintained a sizeable defense capability, from the Cold
War to the War on Terrorism.
○ Nuclear proliferation, terrorism, and international economy dictate U.S. foreign
policy and international involvement.