Final answer:
The President holds various informal powers in foreign policy including the ability to persuade and negotiate ("bully pulpit"), make executive agreements, utilize expansive war powers, act as commander-in-chief, and quickly respond to international crises.
Step-by-step explanation:
Informal Powers of the President in Foreign Policy
The President possesses informal powers that significantly shape US foreign policy outside of the formal legislative process. These include the power to exert influence through persuasion and negotiation, often described as the "bully pulpit," where the President directly appeals to citizens and legislatures. In the realm of foreign policy, the President can make executive agreements with other nations, bypassing the Senate approval required for formal treaties. This tool has been used in various instances, like during the Vietnam War and in the creation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Moreover, Presidents rely on an expansive definition of war powers to act unilaterally both at home and abroad. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 is an example that has inadvertently expanded presidential authority, allowing the President to commit military forces to conflict without an official declaration of war for limited periods. Presidents also hold significant influence as the commander-in-chief of the military, setting the agenda for foreign policy matters and negotiating international agreements and treaties.
Additionally, the ability to respond rapidly during international crises, oversee intelligence operations, and hold foreign policy summits further underscores the President's informal prerogatives in foreign affairs. These informal powers allow the President to function efficiently in rapidly changing global landscapes, where formal legislation might be too slow to react.