Concepts and Techniques of Foreign Policy
Chapter – 4
Table of Contents
- It is almost impossible for any state to live in isolation from international politics today.
- Interdependence among states has increased tremendously.
- Every state strives to establish healthy relations with other states.
- A country’s foreign policy has become as significant as its domestic policy.
- A country’s image and prestige, as well as the survival of its government, often depend on its foreign policy.
- Every state wants to formulate a definite foreign policy to interact with fellow states in international politics.
- A country’s foreign policy is not an abstract phenomenon but is carefully formulated by the government in the national interest.
- The formulation of foreign policy takes into account factors like the tradition, cultural heritage, socio-political history, and ideas of its leaders.
- Foreign policy must also consider the changing aspects of international politics.
- The formulation and implementation of foreign policy are complex due to various important issues involved.
- These issues include the concepts and techniques of foreign policy.
NATIONAL INTEREST
- An important concept in foreign policy formulation is national interest, but its exact meaning remains vague.
- National interest may refer to aspirations, policies, programmes, and debates surrounding them.
- For example, India’s aspiration to become a major economic force and a major military power could both be considered part of its national interest.
- National interest is composed of different aspirations and policies to fulfill these aspirations; it is not a fixed singular notion.
- National interest is linked to values like morality and altruism; it cannot be value-free.
- A value-free national interest may threaten international peace and security.
- Experts like Joseph Frankel, Norman D. Palmer, and Howard C. Perkins emphasize the importance of values in national interest.
- National interest should respect the interests of other nations to avoid conflict and war.
- Countries should protect their national interests while cooperating and accommodating the interests of others.
- If every nation aggressively protects its national interest, war would be inevitable.
- Cooperation and compromise are key to solving disputes and ensuring peaceful coexistence.
- A nation may go to war as a last resort when cooperation fails, but the ideal condition is a peaceful environment.
- In order to establish peace, nations must be willing to sacrifice some aims and accommodate others.
- National interest is reflected in a country’s foreign policy, which is designed to protect national interests.
- A foreign policy cannot be value-neutral; it should respect mutual cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
- An aggressive foreign policy often fails, while a flexible, accommodating one is more likely to succeed.
- The success of a foreign policy depends on techniques and instruments like diplomacy.