ABSTRACT

In 1803 Thomas Jefferson urged the immediate ratification of a treaty usually referred to as the "Louisiana Purchase." He had earlier contended that the central government should do as little as possible and that when it did act, it should do so only within the strictest construction of the constitution. Jefferson's approach to the Louisiana Purchase was something between demagoguery and true statesmanship. The degree and direction of change or flexibility are very important. The increase in bombs dropped and missions flown indicates some type of change, but in the absence of additional information, it tells little about flexibility. The concept of flexibility is a rather important variable in terms of foreign policy. In normal times, to be sure, other variables may be more important in explaining policy formulation and execution.