UNITED-STATES-CONGRESS AND FOREIGN-POLICY - DEMOCRATIC FOREIGN-POLICY AFTER THE END OF THE COLD-WAR

U.S. Congress is authorized by the Constitution and has political means to influence foreign policy as probably no other legislative body in the world. Congress will therefore play a crucial role in shaping American foreign policy after the end of the Cold War. This article analyses both the means available to Congress but also the limitations of its actions in influencing foreign policy decisions. The main thesis outlined here is that Congress will play a greater role after the end of the East-West-confrontation in determining foreign policy. The demand of Congress to abolish the secrecy system of the Cold War years and its concern for human rights issues can no longer be dismissed by the executive with reference to the Soviet military threat.