Significance of Foreign Policy in International Relations

Significance of foreign policy in international relations INTRODUCTION: In international arena, every nation has always been interdependent. Even after attaining highest level of development every nation has to make some dependency on other nations to fulfill their own interests. No nation can remain isolated. Thus, the framing of foreign policy is a necessary activity of the modern state. Hence, every state establishes diplomatic, economic, trade, educational, cultural and political relations with other nations and that compels to maintain its relation with each other as well as with international organizations and nongovernmental actors in the international relations. The sovereign states conduct their foreign relations and interact with each other through their foreign policies and thus, foreign policies in international politics are like a charter containing national interests showing the areas of agreement and disagreement. It explains the ideas with which the state would exert its influence in a very effective way. Foreign policy of a country is formulated to safeguard and promote its national interests in the conduct of relations with other countries, bilaterally and multilaterally. It is a direct reflection of a country’s traditional values and overall national policies. What is foreign policy? According to Padelford and Lincolin “Foreign Policy is the key element in the process by which a state translate its broadly conceived goals and interest into concrete course of action to attain these objectives and preserve interests”. According to Dr. Mohinder Kumar Foreign Policy is a thought out course of action for achieving objectives in foreign relations as directed by the ideology of national interest. Objectives of Foreign Policy The objectives of foreign policy generally classified into three categories such as i. ii. iii. short range objectives middle range objectives; and long range objectives Short range objectives Short range objectives are also called the core objectives, i.e. core values and interest, territorial integrity as well as political independence. A country has to deal with all the sources that pose threat to the geographical integrity of it. However, political independence means the state is able to play its prestigious role in the international field at its own will. These are the matters related to the basic existence of a nation and every state seeks to safeguard it without any compromise. Middle range objectives Middle range objectives are related to trade, foreign aid as well as economic progress of people along with raising their life standards. Foreign Policy aims at achieving economic prosperity so as to play more assertive role in international politics. Status and prestige of a state can be secured only if the state is economically stable. Moreover, territorial and ideological expansion through the propagation of ideas, ideologies, systems, cultures and values are also fall under middle range objectives. Long range objectives Long range objectives are plans, visions concerning ultimate political or ideological organization of the international system. These objectives are indefinite and vague as there is no prediction about the outcome of the pursuit. Principles of Foreign Policy: Every nation has some objectives of its foreign policy and thus adopted certain Principles to realize their respective objectives such as ➢ Maintenance of territorial integrity with other countries and maintenance of its political independence. ➢ Acceleration of social and economic development and strengthening its place in the world. ➢ A nation state must increase its individual strength so that it can secure its foreign policy ends. ➢ States foreign policy goals must comprise those conditions of International arena so that disruptive effects of power exerted by other states cannot harm the state. Stages of Foreign Policy Decision Making: Following are various stages in foreign policy decision making such as: ➢ In order to determine the best policy options, every state needs to understand the international and domestic political environment within which foreign policy is made and implemented. ➢ Another stage in the making of foreign policy involves goal setting. As a state has variety of goals it must be determine which goal is affected by the international and domestic political environment. ➢ Determination of policy options is another stage of foreign policy decision making. A state must determine what policy options are available to meet the goal or goals in the political environment. ➢ Another stage is formal decision making option. Foreign policy decisions are usually made by the executive branch of government such as head of the state, head of the government, cabinet or minister. ➢ After determination of best policy option a formal decision has been made and then the policy must be implemented .Generally, foreign policy is implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or State department, departments of trade, defense and aid. Determinate of Foreign Policy Decision Making Foreign policy of every state is influenced by mainly two determinants   International or external determinates Domestic or internal determinates External Determinates of Foreign Policy: The main external factors that determines the Foreign Policy of a state are:      The international system or power structure International law International organizations Alliances Military strength or arm race. Domestic Determinates of Foreign Policy: Internal environment of a state also influence the nature and course of its foreign policy. Following are the internal/domestic determinants of foreign policy.      Culture and History Geography, Size, Population Economic development and natural resources Military capabilities Political system Foreign Policy Analysis: Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA) is the study of management of external relations of a nation. It (FPA) involves scrutinizing the external policies of a state which came to be academically established after World War II. It concerned with the study of two major implications.  Firstly, how the governmental institution responsible for the formulation and implementation of foreign policy and  Secondly, a more ideological one for the democratization of foreign policy i.e. why and how public values and interest should be introduced to every stage in the formulation and execution of such policy. Moreover, Foreign Policy give emphasis on actions of state as considered states to be the most prime aspect of the discipline. Approaches of Foreign Policy Analysis Foreign Policy Analysis has some major approaches. These approaches are used to the management of external relations of a state in international relations. • Traditional Approach - external policies of a state • Analytical Approach - elements and objectives of foreign policy • Ideological Approach - democratization of foreign policy • The Comparative Approach to Foreign Policy - systematic theories and processes • The Cognitive processes and psychology Approach - psychological aspect of decision making • Social Constructivist Approach - focuses on role of ideas, identities and scrutinize the discourse of the inter subjective world CONCLUSION: Conclusively, it can be said that foreign policy decision-making involves a series of processes and possesses different actors. It has always played a significant role in the international affairs of a state. Hence, without a properly formulated foreign policy, a state is tended to lose its position and respect in world affairs and will eventually unable to achieve its aims and basic national interest. In this way, foreign policy in general is about the relations of a state with another and this interaction only takes place at the ‘international’ level and it cannot be ignored in analyzing the foreign policy of any state.