Compare and contrast the levels of Bipartisanship in U.S. Congress during the cold war with respect to the Vietnam conflict and the current and ongoing War regarding Ukraine invasion by Russia under the regime of President Vladimir Putin.
With the use of examples, explain the concepts of Divided Government and One-party government and discuss their respective impacts on American foreign policy implementation.
Identify types of foreign Policy Interest Groups and explain their patterns and levels of involvement and roles in shaping U.S. foreign policy.
Explain the theory and assumptions of “Military-Industrial Complex” introduced and given credence by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Include in your analyses its implications to American foreign policy in the contexts of War and Peace.
Comparing the levels of Bipartisanship in U.S. Congress during the cold war
Full Answer Section
Divided Government and One-party government
Divided government occurs when the President of the United States is from a different party than the majority party in Congress. This can make it difficult for the President to implement his or her foreign policy agenda, as the two parties may have different priorities. For example, during the Vietnam War, the Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson faced a Republican-controlled Congress. This made it difficult for Johnson to get the funding and support he needed for the war.
One-party government occurs when the President and the majority party in Congress are from the same party. This can make it easier for the President to implement his or her foreign policy agenda, as the two parties are more likely to be aligned on foreign policy issues. For example, during the Gulf War, the Republican President George H.W. Bush faced a Republican-controlled Congress. This made it easier for Bush to get the funding and support he needed for the war.
Foreign Policy Interest Groups
There are a number of different types of foreign policy interest groups, including:
- Business groups: Business groups often lobby the government to support policies that are favorable to their interests, such as free trade agreements or increased military spending.
- Labor unions: Labor unions often lobby the government to support policies that are favorable to their interests, such as minimum wage laws or environmental regulations.
- Religious groups: Religious groups often lobby the government to support policies that are consistent with their beliefs, such as abortion restrictions or gun control laws.
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs): NGOs are non-profit organizations that often lobby the government to support policies that promote their goals, such as human rights or environmental protection.
Sample Answer
Bipartisanship in the U.S. Congress during the Cold War
The Vietnam War was a highly divisive conflict in the United States, and it was reflected in the level of bipartisanship in Congress. In the early years of the war, there was a bipartisan consensus that the United States should support South Vietnam against the communist North Vietnam. However, as the war dragged on and became increasingly unpopular, the level of bipartisanship declined. By the end of the war, there was very little bipartisan support for the war.
The current and ongoing war regarding Ukraine invasion by Russia under the regime of President Vladimir Putin is also a highly divisive conflict in the United States. However, there is a much higher level of bipartisan support for the Ukrainian government than there was for the South Vietnamese government during the Vietnam War. This is due to a number of factors, including the fact that Russia is seen as a much more direct threat to the United States and its allies than North Vietnam was.