Foreign Policy PDF

FOREIGN POLICY What is foreign policy? Foreign policy is the direct result of various interactions between state and non-state actors, through which states are obliged to formulate a certain set of principles and strategies to serve as a guide in managing these relationships. A strategy or course...

FOREIGN POLICY What is foreign policy? Foreign policy is the direct result of various interactions between state and non-state actors, through which states are obliged to formulate a certain set of principles and strategies to serve as a guide in managing these relationships. A strategy or course of action planned to achieve objectives in relation to an actor. TOWARDS A BOOK DEFINITION OF FOREIGN POLICY Foreign policy is one of the important instruments of government for national governance and administration, the main objective of which is to protect national interests and safeguard national sovereignty in all international relations. ,,a set of principles and strategies that guide government actions and decisions regarding transnational and international relations whose main objective is to orient the country towards the achievement of national aspirations and the spread of common values” ,,a governance and administration tool for decision-makers and policy administrators in managing national issues at the transnational and international levels to align government actions and decisions with national objectives” WHO DETERMINES FOREIGN POLICY Levels of analysis in explaining the behavior of a state Individual Legislative Bureaucracy National  International Why do we need Foreign Policy? To protect the unity and integrity of a state To defend the interests of citizens domestically and across borders To maintain contact and develop relations with other states What other possible reasons would we need to appeal to the EP? The determining factors of FP - Internal factors Are there any other internal factors External Factors for FP FOREIGN POLICY OBJECTIVES Study Guide Q&A 1. Briefly define foreign policy according to the provided sources. 2. According to the texts, what is the primary objective of foreign policy? 3. Name three levels of analysis that help explain a state's behavior in foreign policy. 4. List three reasons why a state would need to formulate and implement a foreign policy. 5. Beyond those stated, what is another possible reason a state might appeal to foreign policy? 6. What is meant by "internal factors" in the context of foreign policy determination? 7. What is meant by "external factors" in the context of foreign policy determination? 8. The sources define foreign policy as “a set of principles and strategies.” Explain what this implies about the nature of foreign policy. 9. What does it mean for foreign policy to be considered an "instrument of government"?  10. The texts describe foreign policy as helping to "orient the country towards the achievement of national aspirations." What does this suggest about the role of national aspirations in shaping foreign policy? Essay Questions 1. Discuss the interplay between internal and external factors in the determination of a state's foreign policy. To what extent does one outweigh the other, and how do these factors interact to shape policy decisions? 2. Evaluate the different levels of analysis (individual, legislative, bureaucracy, national, and international) when considering a state's foreign policy. How does focusing on one level versus another impact our understanding of why a state acts the way it does? 3. The sources state that one objective of foreign policy is to “protect the unity and integrity of a state.” In what ways can foreign policy be used to achieve this objective, and what are some examples where this has been evident in practice? 4. Critically analyze the statement that foreign policy is primarily about "protecting national interests and safeguarding national sovereignty." Does this encompass all aspects of foreign policy, or do other objectives also drive a state's international relations? 5. Considering the provided definitions of foreign policy, how do these definitions account for the potential evolution of a state’s international relations? How do domestic and international changes impact foreign policy in the long term?