Foreign Policy Analysis Overview

Foreign Policy Analysis

• Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA) bridges international relations and public policy analysis
• It focuses on the ongoing interplay between actors and their environment
• FPA considers the international context, including power distribution, transnational stakeholders, and intergovernmental organizations
• The distribution of power among countries and the influence of transnational stakeholders and intergovernmental organizations partially determine foreign policy

Levels of Analysis in Foreign Policy

• Individual level: Focuses on the impact of individual leaders and their characteristics on foreign policy decisions

  • Leaders' personality traits, beliefs, and decision-making styles influence policy outcomes
  • Group dynamics play a crucial role in shaping foreign policy:
    • Some individuals serve as devil's advocates, challenging ideas to stimulate debate
    • Others act as loyal mind-guards, protecting group consensus and avoiding dissent
    • Some act as policy advocates, consistently pushing for specific approaches
    • Others act as diplomats or negotiators, facilitating group agreements

• State level: Domestic factors influence foreign policy decision-making

  • The structure of government, political institutions, and public opinion all impact the state's foreign policy choices
  • Small group dynamics are particularly important during crises or high-stakes situations
    • Foreign policy decisions typically involve small groups of individuals within a single organization or between organizations
    • These groups often engage in open debates and negotiations to reach a consensus

• International level: The international context shapes foreign policy

  • The structure of the international system, including power distribution, influences the behavior of states
  • States are often constrained by the actions and responses of other states, as well as by international institutions
  • The assumption of states as unitary actors is a central tenet of realist theory, emphasizing the pursuit of security and power
  • Globalization has reshaped the landscape of international relations by:
    • Increasing economic interdependence and dependence between countries
    • Facilitating rapid global communication through technology and the spread of information
    • Giving rise to new actors in the international arena
    • Influencing foreign policy decisions by:
      • Amplifying the impact of economic capabilities
      • Fostering global economic interconnectedness
      • Redefining the role of multinational corporations and intergovernmental organizations
      • Introducing new forms of economic dependence and interdependence

Criticisms of Foreign Policy Definitions

• Critics argue that overly expansive definitions of foreign policy can be problematic and less useful
• An overly broad definition of foreign policy undermines the concept's specificity and relevance
• Emphasizing the distinct elements of foreign policy is essential for clear analysis and understanding

Distinguishing Foreign Policy from Public Policy

• Unlike public policy areas, foreign policy is not limited to a single question, objective, target, or function
• Foreign policy is defined by a geographic criterion: any action (or inaction) taken by a sovereign political authority outside the state's borders is considered foreign policy
• The transition from internal to external is what defines foreign policy