RESEARCH PAPER. Presidential Leadership in Foreign Policy-Making

Presidential Leadership in Foreign Policy Making
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Introduction
The US President’s powers include those clearly stated by Article II of the Constitution and Acts of Congress. Also, he has implied and soft powers that are linked to the position of presidency. Constitutionally, the president can receive ambassadors, give pardons and reprieves, start or end Congress, request for Cabinet’s written opinion, command the armed forces and sign or veto legislation.
The president has the responsibility of making sure the laws are faithfully implemented and can appoint as well as remove executive members. The president can further make treaties that need only be ratified by two-thirds of the Senate. Additionally, he or she is given foreign functions that are not given to House of Representatives. With this power, the president can direct the creation and communication of foreign policy as well as control the country’s diplomatic corps. Lastly, the president can appoint some officers and judges depending on the Senate’s advice and consent. Therefore, this paper shall present the role of the president in foreign policy matters.
Presidential Leadership in Foreign Policy Making
In fear of the centralization of powers, the makers of the Constitution divided the government’s powers among the three branches; judicial, executive and legislative. Each branch receives its powers from the Constitution whereby article III forms the judiciary, Article II forms the executive and Article I form the legislature. In Article II, express provisions give the president powers that are concerned with foreign associations. The president can create treaties dependent of the Senate, appoint and receive ministers and ambassadors, and command the armed forces. 
A president’s unilateral action is restricted by the constitution but is exceptional in the receivership of public ministers and ambassadors. When appointing ambassadors and making treaties, the president is required to seek advice and consent of the senate. This restriction may imply that the president and the senate consult through the treaty making procedure. However, starting Washington’s administration, presidents have declined to seek advice and consent of the senate during treaties.
The senate’s consultation is a real and powerful restriction of the President’s powers. The senate can use this requirement to put reservations on the president to reject or approve a treaty immediately. However, the presidential power with regards to treaties stays wide though restricted by the senate. This means treaties are made by the senate and the president together but only the president can continue of suspend their activities.
The treaty process which has a requirement of senate’s consent, is always replaced with the executive agreement. The origination of the executive agreements may be questioned, but after being accepted following years, the agreements have become common. However, the president’s powers with regards to these executive agreements is restricted since most of them rely on congress’ support.
Diplomatically, international agreements depend on the president&rs...