Chapter 6: The Foreign-Policy Bureaucracy

Exercises

Exploring the Diplomatic Complex

1. Access the State Department Web page's list of embassies and consulates at http://usembassy.state.gov/ . Choose an embassy or consulate for a country of interest (other than Mexico , which is used as an example in the book). Click on the link to the U.S. embassy in that country.

2. What is the stated mission for the U.S. embassy in that country? Who is the ambassador? Investigate some of the agencies and institutions within the embassy. How many are there? What agencies do they correspond with back in Washington , D.C. ?

3. Are there any missions unique to the embassy you selected? What sort of conflicts or difficulties would you expect this embassy to have? Why?

Exploring the Security Complex

1. Access the United States Intelligence Community Web site at www.intelligence.gov .

2. Use the links to read about “Who we are” and “What we do.”

3. On the “Who we are” page, click on the link to the “Members of the IC” page. How many agencies do you see represented on this Web page? Do some seem more important than others? If so, which ones?

4. What kinds of difficulties would you expect this community to have? Why? After reading about the community's mission, goals, and members, how would you recommend reorganizing the intelligence process?

5. Does this community appear to be a “shadow government” as discussed in the chapter? Why or why not?

Exploring the Economic Complex

1. Access the Web site for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative at www.ustr.gov .

2. Read through the latest news posted on the Web page for U.S. trade deals, agreements, and developments.

3. With which countries is the United States making trade deals? Which countries and types of countries are not included in the trade news? What are the subjects of discussions or debates between the United States and other countries regarding trade policies?

4. Do the trade policies seem protectionist or more liberal? Does it depend on the country? Explain any pattern you notice.

5. Remembering the “ Washington consensus” concept, do you believe that it is applicable to recent trade deals? Why or why not?