Bundy Suggests Public Debate On Foreign Affairs

The American public must not retreat from foreign policy debate, Dean Bundy asserted last night at the Dunster House Forum.

Foreign policy views are not the primary criteria even in the selection of presidential candidates, Bundy said, despite the fact that international questions are most closely related to the survival of our civilization.

International policy has only a fragmentary impact on congressional elections, since local pressures are seldom related to "the broad view," he added.

Public opinion on foreign affairs makes its influence felt outside the polls, however, Bundy declared. Both Truman and Eisenhower were closely attuned to underlying popular sentiments, and Roosevelt showed keen awareness of public opinion prior to America's entry into World War II.

"Safety and Responsibility"

Bundy interpreted the election of Eisenhower as the popular choice of "a personality adequate in terms of knowledge, ability to delegate responsibility, unwillingness to undertake new ventures for their own sake--a balance between safety and responsibility." The qualities reflected public feelings toward international as well as domestic issues.

Public sentiment is no less influential because it must be indirect, Bundy asserted. Complex decisions will require increasing reliance on expert advice, accentuating the delegation of responsibility on foreign issues. Bundy noted that this trend increases the importance of public retention of decisions on broad policy options.