<P> The United States notably does not participate in various international agreements adhered to by almost all other industrialized countries, by almost all the countries of the Americas, or by almost all other countries in the world . With a large population and economy, on a practical level this can undermine the effect of certain agreements, or give other countries a precedent to cite for non-participation in various agreements . </P> <P> In some cases the arguments against participation include that the United States should maximize its sovereignty and freedom of action, or that ratification would create a basis for lawsuits that would treat American citizens unfairly . In other cases, the debate became involved in domestic political issues, such as gun control, climate change, and the death penalty . </P> <P> Examples include: </P> <Ul> <Li> Versailles Treaty and the League of Nations covenant (in force 1920--45, signed but not ratified) </Li> <Li> International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (took effect in 1976, ratified with substantial reservations) </Li> <Li> International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (took effect in 1976, signed but not ratified) </Li> <Li> American Convention on Human Rights (took effect in 1978) </Li> <Li> Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (took effect in 1981, signed but not ratified) </Li> <Li> Convention on the Rights of the Child (took effect in 1990, signed but not ratified) </Li> <Li> United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (took effect in 1994) </Li> <Li> Comprehensive Nuclear - Test - Ban Treaty (signed in 1996 but never ratified and never took effect) </Li> <Li> Mine Ban Treaty (took effect in 1999) </Li> <Li> International Criminal Court (took effect in 2002) </Li> <Li> Kyoto Protocol (in force 2005--12, signed but not ratified) </Li> <Li> Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (took effect in 2006) </Li> <Li> Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (took effect in 2008, signed but not ratified) </Li> <Li> Convention on Cluster Munitions (took effect in 2010) </Li> <Li> International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (took effect in 2010) </Li> <Li> Arms Trade Treaty (took effect in 2014) </Li> <Li> Other human rights treaties </Li> </Ul>

Who is the main force that ultimately decides us foreign policy