FOREIGN POLICY AND DOMESTIC SCANDAL

In: The national interest, Band 54, S. 27-31

Abstract

THE SCANDALS DOGGING PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON, AND THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS HAVE NOT ENTIRELY RUN THEIR COURSE--AND THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A DISCERNIBLE IMPACT ON FOREIGN POLICY. THE PROBLEMS, OR POTENTIAL PROBLEMS, THAT RESULT CAN BE GROUPED INTO FOUR CATEGORIES: FOREIGN PERCEPTIONS, DISTORTIONS OF U.S. POLICY-MAKING, PRESIDENTIAL DISTRACTION, AND EXECUTIVE-LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS. THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES EACH OF THESE FOUR CATEGORIES AND CONCLUDES THAT AN ADMINISTRATION THAT IS ACCIDENT-PRONE BECAUSE OF FUNDAMENTAL FLAWS IN ITS APPROACH TO THE WORLD IS LIKELY TO FACE GROWING CONGRESSIONAL PRESSURES, SCANDAL OR NO.