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From: afb@pucc-i (Michael Lewis)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: American Foreign Policy
Message-ID: <1238@pucc-i>
Date: Tue, 7-Jan-86 12:12:34 EST
Article-I.D.: pucc-i.1238
Posted: Tue Jan  7 12:12:34 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 8-Jan-86 19:54:28 EST
References: <38@ubc-vision.UUCP>
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center
Lines: 34
Summary: MORE of the Democratic process in our foreign policy??

In article <38@ubc-vision.UUCP>, mokhtar@ubc-vision.UUCP (Farzin Mokhtarian) writes:
> Subject: Re: American Foreign Policy
> 
> But I also have a question:
>    Why is America a democracy only inside? Somehow the democratic process
>    ceases to exist when we get to foreign policy matters. Decisions are
>    made by the president and a few advisors around him. This seems peculiar
>    when so many things are done in the name of "national security". I
>    think we are bound to see more abuses of power as long as so much of it
>    is concentrated in the hands of the few. As long as things are the way
>    they are, doesn't the term "American democracy" need to be qualified? 
>      
>        Farzin Mokhtarian


     I, for one, think the foreign policy decision-making process has been
delegated *more than enough* already.  Didn't you notice the chaotic in-fighting
within the Administration over just about all significant foreign policy 
questions?  Think about how much worse it would be if Congress were responsible 
for even a part of these decisions.  Or, Farzin, are you suggesting that the
American people should be subjected to an endless stream of referendums to make
these decisions?

     Regardless of how much we dislike President Reagan (and I find myself with
mixed feelings), we must keep in mind that the pyons elected him.  The answer
to your question is:
	   America is a *representative* democracy.  The *US Constitution* says
	   that the Executive branch is responsible for relations with other
	   countries, with the Legislative branch overseeing.  President Reagan
	   is our elected representative to other nations.  Therefore, the
	   United States is a representative democracy, both on the inside and
	   on the outside.

     Mike Lewis @ Purdue