Understanding Foreign Policy and Foreign Policy Behaviors
• Foreign policy refers to the sets of objectives and instruments that a state adopts to guide its
relation with the outside world.
• Foreign policy's objective is national interest
Defining Foreign Policy
• is the set of priorities and percepts established by national leaders to serve as guidelines for
choosing among various courses of action in specific situations
• involves general purposes, priority of goals to be realized and achieved
• Encompasses specific strategies and instruments to achieve FP goals
Foreign policy objective
There are three categories of foreign policy objectives
short range, middle range and long range objectives
Criteria to set the three ranges
the value placed on the objective;
the time element placed on its achievement; and
the kind of demands the objective imposes on other states in international system.
the objectives can be classified as:
(1) core values and interests, to which states commit their very existence and that must be
preserved or extended at all time;
(2) middle range goals, which normally impose demands on several others states (commitments
to their achievement are serious and time limit is also attached to them); and
Cont.
Core Interests and Values (Short Range Objectives)
Are those values which the state is willing to make ultimate sacrifices.
basic principles of foreign policy and become article of faith- no question to it.
Are the basis for the other two objectives
Are common to all states
e.g. ensure the sovereignty and independence of the country
self preservation of political and economic systems,
preserving the identity of the people and its culture, and the territorial
integrity of a state.
Extraterritoriality is when the national interest and claims of a country is projected
beyond the limit of its geographic boundary. Eg. US, Israel, China, Russia
Middle Range Objectives
varies across states.
due to the difference in the level of economic and technological progress, as well as
the military capability and the middle range objectives of states.
e.g. economic-betterment demands
Long range objectives
Long range goals are those plans, dreams, and visions concerning the ultimate political
or ideological
Foreign Policy Behavior: Patterns and Trends
• Foreign policy behavior refers to the actions states take towards each other
• Are tied with short term-middle term and long range objectives
There are three patterns of foreign policy behavior
1. self-preservation (maintaining the status quo);
is the foreign policy pattern of super powers especially that of US.
U.S has become the staunch supporter of the current international order that it influences
it via UNSC, WB, IMF, NATO and other bi-lateral agreements
Hence, US strongly resists any attempt to reform the international system and the
politico-economic order (status quo)
2. self-extension (revising the status quo in one’s own favor);
is a foreign policy of emerging powers e.g.. BRICS, China, Germany
they want to restructure the international institutions and different regimes so as to create
enabling environment to promote their national interest
e.g. Germany, India, Brazil, RSA are demanding to have permanent seat in UNSC.
3. self-abnegation (revising the status quo in some else’s favor)
Is a foreign policy behavior of Less Developing Countries (LDC) (Third World).
they fail to defend and promote their national interests in their external relations
are weak and very much dependent on foreign aid
They cannot have their own autonomous foreign policy to protect their NI
They compromise long lasting national interest for temporary and immediate benefits.
Foreign Policy Dimensions
• foreign policy behavior of states can also be analyzed along a number of specific dimensions.
• There are three foreign policy dimensions
1. Alignment
is countries’ tendency whether to ally with other or remain neutral
there are three alignment tendencies alliance, neutrality and non-alignment
Alliances
• are formal agreements to provide mutual military assistance
• they carry legal weight and certain benefits as well as risks.
• Allied countries can pool their military resources, acquire access to foreign bases
• alliance state also risks interference by allies in its domestic affairs
Neutrality
• is a stance of formal non partisanship in world affairs
• neutrals may avoid some of the problems associated with alliances, particularly the generating
of potential enemies and counter alliances.
• E.g.. Switzerland became member of UN in 2002 after popular referendum
Non-alignment
• has been the foreign policy pattern of most developing state during cold war.
• Most developing countries had a movement called -Non Aligned Movement (NAM)
• NAM established in 1955 in Bandung, Indonesia. NAM now has 125 members
• NAM called for a new foreign policy disregarding West and East blocs
• It was a movement of neutrality in the East-West Cold War rivalry
• NAM had noble agenda that called for South-south cooperation of Third World
2. Scope
• Scope as foreign policy dimension refers a country’s activities and interests.
• There are three scopes of foreign policy dimension
Global terms
• is the foreign policy behavior of major powers
• interact regularly with countries in nearly every region of the world
• U.S.A has often defined its national interest in global terms, has the capability to
influence world events.
Regional terms
• Most countries in the world are essentially regional actors
• Interact primarily with neighboring states in the same geographical area
e.g. South Africa. India, Turkey, Brazil. Germany. Nigeria
China is defining it self as global emerging power. It focuses on Africa.
China sees it self as best candidate to assume global responsibility and leadership
Isolationism
• Caused by weakness or geographic remoteness
• less viable foreign policy orientation
Cont.
3. Mode of Operation/ Modus Opernadi
modus operandi refers to-the method of operation
• Refers to approaches and institutions in foreign relations
There are three approaches
[Link] relations
Is solving problems through diplomatic forums in which several states participate, such
as the United Nations, EU, AU
Most developing countries used the multilateral approaches to address many issues of
concern.
enhance collective barraging power of countries
2. Bilateral relations
Is relations between two countries to solve their problems or common concern
3. Unilateral approach
Is an approach of super power to achieve their foreign policy objectives
play the carrot and stick diplomacy to affect the outcomes of events
The more unilateral a state is the more likely to initiate actions in international relations
or to resist initiatives taken by others
US relies on unilateral means
Instruments of Foreign Policy
[Link]
• Is a system of structured communication between two or more parties
• Diplomacy is a peaceful way of solving problems or issues between and among parties
• Diplomacy is a complex game of maneuver in which the goal is to influence the
behaviors of others in ones interest
• Bargaining is the essence of diplomacy which can be defined as a means of settling
differences over priorities between parties through an exchange of proposals for mutually
acceptable solutions.
• it attempts to change the policies, actions, attitudes and objectives of other government
and their diplomats by persuasion, offering rewards, exchange concessions, or making
threats
• the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) is the applicable international law
that governs diplomacy – – only recognizes states as diplomatic actors.
• Diplomacy is governed by the principle of give and take, win-win game
various types of diplomacy
• multilateral diplomacy, bilateral diplomacy, Public diplomacy, leader-to-leader (summitry
diplomacy), secret diplomacy (pre WWI)
Rules of Effective Diplomacy
• Be realistic: It is important to have goals that much your ability to achieve them
• Be careful about what you say: The experienced diplomats plans out and weighs
words carefully.
• Seek common ground: finds common ground ends them. Negotiation will involve
some concession, so it is important to maintain a degree of flexibility.
• Understand the other side: appreciate an opponent’s perspective even if you do not
agree with it.
• Be patient: Being overly anxious can lead to concessions that are unwise and may
convey weakness to an opponent.
• Never say “yes” or “No”: know certain ways to say “yes” or “no”
• Leave avenues of retreat open: In situations of diplomatic deadlock, it is important
to leave yourself and your opponent an “out” or exit strategy