In the 1930s, what did the United States do to avoid getting involved international affairs? a. joined the League of Nations. b. passed the Hawley-Smoot Tarif. c. passed the Neutrality Acts. d. joined the United Nations.

The foreign policy of the United States is the result of a complex elaboration process, of large contradictory debates solved by arbitrations. On the other hand, the US constitutional system provides for a precise distribution of powers (checks and balances), which gives the different actors (presidency, Congress, civil society, etc.) a power capable of influencing in a very differentiated way the elaboration of the foreign policy of the United States. This finding differs from the commonly admitted opinion about the idea of a power gathered in the hands of a few, ending in a monolithic policy without debates.

Certain foundations of the foreign policy of the United States are present since its creation. It is essential to know them to learn the whole decision process. On the other hand, decision-making is shared between the executive branch (the presidency and the administration) and the legislative branch (the Congress). The two suffer the influence of civil society (pressure groups, electorates, think tanks, etc.).