Aresearch On Functional And Structural Qianges Of US NSC

The United States of America has pursued an idea of Lock’s "small government" since its foundation. Even if they involved into World War Ⅰ, America rapidly returned into isolationist state after in the 1920s. However, after World War Ⅱ, the United States created the National Security Council (NSC), which was the main feature of the changes happened in the government, the concept of national security and overall development trends. In 1949, the United States established the National Security Council. The evolving process of the institution reflected the changes happened in United States, like in the political processes and in ideology. Therefore, the research on NSC will help the analysis of American political system after WW2.The WW2 has everything to do with the foundation of NSC. The WW2 exerted great pressure on America’s politics, military affairs and economics. The pre-war system no longer applies. After the WW2, a bipolar structure formed globally; President Roosevelt caused considerable confusions in political system. All these appealed an institution which could run the nation smoothly and safe against threats, and balance the unparalleled power of the president.The National Security Act of 1947 established the NSC. It was a government body initially, with an underlying duty of balance presidential power. However, it was transformed into an instrument of president as time went by. In 1949, the NSC was reorganized and became a part of the Executive Office of the President. The presidents after even forged it into a main forum of making foreign and national security policies.Transformations in structure and mechanism changed NSC functionally. Each NSC under different presidents has differed focus among advisory, coordination and decision-making. Generally, the NSC has evolved into a powerful institution. It also gradually became institutionalized, bureaucratized, specialized and flexible.