National Interest Overview

National Interest

• The word "interest" comes from Latin, meaning "it concerns" or "it makes a difference to."
• In the 1930s, Charles Bear wrote the first book on national interest.
• National interest is used to explain why states act in certain ways in a complex global environment. It's about protecting a state's values.
• Statesmen often prioritize their own state's interest above others.
• National interest is understood as what benefits the nation, often seen as national egoism.
• National interest is tied to values, even if those values are shared by parts of society.

What Does National Interest Include?

• Scholars differ on the precise definition of national interest.
• Some argue self-preservation (territory, political independence, and government institutions) is paramount.
• Others focus on self-sufficiency, prestige, and expansion.
• Charles Bear focused on factors such as territory and commerce as defining national interest.
• Morgenthau argued that national interests should be proportionate to a country's capabilities.

Defining National Interest: Criteria

• Ideological: Liberal-democratic countries favor those who support democratic ideals and oppose totalitarian regimes.
• Moral & Legal: Countries should act honestly and abide by international laws.
• Pragmatic: Decisions based on practical and unemotional factors in real-world situations.
• Bureaucratic: Individual government parts tend to exaggerate their own needs when discussing "national interest."
• Partisan: Linking success of a party to the success of the nation.
• Racial/Ethnic/Class: National interest can be linked to the needs of a certain racial, ethnic, or class minority or majority group.
• Foreign Dependency: Powerful states define policy obligations for weaker states that depend upon them.

Relevant Vocabulary

• Imperative: Crucial or of utmost importance.
• Synonymous: Having the same meaning.
• Notion: Idea.
• Self-sufficiency: Reliance on oneself.
• Aggrandizement: Increasing power or influence.
• Obligations: Duties or responsibilities.
• Dependency: Reliance on another.
• Ground realities: Actual circumstances.

Explore the concept of national interest, its origins, and significance in global politics. This quiz delves into various definitions and interpretations by scholars, examining how national interest shapes state actions and priorities. Understand the balance between self-preservation, self-sufficiency, and national values.