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in formulation of
foreign policy
Introduction
Decision making in foreign policy analysis tends to explain
Interpretation of terms
Foreign
policy
Bureaucracy
Bureaucracy is any large-scale organization of appointed
officials whose primary function is to implement the
policies of the decision makers. It is a rational system or
organized structure designed to permit the efficient and
effective execution of public policy. (Tasie, 1997).
Psychological/Psychoanalytical model
Allison and his followers argue that although in many instances the
rational policy model may be useful, but it neglects the role of bureaucracy
in determining foreign policy.
Model III focuses attention on the politics inside a government (Allison, 1999).
Policies are characterized neither by a unitary actor nor as an organizational
output but rather a result of serious bargaining games among the players in
the national government.
In the Model III, the reality of the crisis, the American Blockade of Cuba and the
withdrawal of Soviet missiles from Cuba summarizes it all. It was a long process of
debate and arguments before President Kennedy could push up a decision as to how
to deal with the missiles planted in Cuba by the Soviet forces which is a danger in
view for America.
Initial critiques
By Stephen Krasner
The BPM is misleading as it obscures the presidents power in making and
implementing the foreign policy.
The US president can make choices and control the bureaucracies at their
disposal particularly in the foreign policy matters.
The BPM does not account accurately for how and to what extent
The BPM methodology is also criticized for its over reliance on the game
metaphor.
Conclusion
To conclude it is to say that bureaucracy is an important institution of the state
whose functions have been primarily policy execution, however, the influence
of bureaucracy had gone beyond the execution of policies alone, and it has
pervaded through the policy formulation process and the policy itself.
Therefore, the role of bureaucracy is far more than just the implementation of
foreign policy but rather it remains one of the key actors involved in the
making of the policy through dialogue, debate, conflict and compromise.