What might American foreign policy look like under a Donald Trump presidency? Based on his rhetoric during the campaign, the scale of the departure from the status quo will be profound. He provides to upend long-standing relationships with both America's traditional allies and its foes; he says Europe and Asia should pay more for their own security; and his plans to defeat so-called Islamic State are bellicose but unfocussed. On this week's Newshour Extra, Owen Bennett Jones and his guests take Trump's campaign promises and hold them up to scrutiny. How much of what he's said does he really intend to implement - and will he be able to put policy into practice? There is a link at the bottom of this post so you can listen to the report yourself.
The good news is that there might be many forces at work in our government, in our county, and in the world to keep Trump in check. They were discussed in this BBC report and I have paraphrased them below. Again, this does not mean "everything will be OK" and we must continue to be vigilant!
1) Public protests will continue to let "the people's" views be heard.
2) Congress, although Republican, will not necessarily support Trump in his agenda since there are many issues with which they are not in agreement.
3) Our government is a bureaucracy, "a body of non-elective government officials" and/or "an administrative policy-making group" which does much of the governing of the government.
4) There is lack of preparation on Trump's part to make the choices that will be demanded of him, therefore he will have to rely on others.
5) The Military is not under control of the Administration and therefore Trump will not be able to make unilateral decisions in this area.
6) The Constitution will insure certain limitations to Trump's aggressiveness.
7) Hopefully the checks and balances of the administrative, legislative, and judicial branches will work to level the playing field.
7) Hopefully the checks and balances of the administrative, legislative, and judicial branches will work to level the playing field.
7) Many of our nation's agreements are bonded with other countries and Trump will not be able to make unilateral decisions here either.
8) Finally the slow pace of government is lethargic, and sluggish when compared to how business decisions are made. This should throw Trump into a more realistic approach.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are always welcome. You are appreciated! If you do not have a sign in to any of the accounts below ... use ANONYMOUS. Thanks.