WHAT IS FOREIGN POLICY?

| DETERMINANTS OF FOREIGN
POLICY

Avijit Biswas

What is foreign Policy?

In the modern world, no single state can survive on its own. Each state is
bound by interdependence.

This is why every state has to dream of good relations with other states. As a
member of the international society, the relations of the states are determined
and controlled by foreign policy.

As a student of International Relations, if you are looking for the best

definition of Foreign Policy, you are in the right place.

here I will tell you everything about Foreign Policy.

Foreign policy is involved in international relations and activities. Broadly
speaking, foreign policy is formed by the type of activities and behaviors
associated with its own interests related to other states.

In other words, Foreign policy is the decision-making process for pursuing

certain international activities.

so, Foreign policy refers to the summation of a state's response to the

international environment, the current and expected decision-making.

The medium of meeting, national interests and goals is intimately involved

with foreign policy.

Readers also read this article- Realism: A Dominant Theory in International Relations

Here I have found the best video on Foreign Policy for you-

Objectives of Foreign Policy

The purpose of foreign policy is different for different states. However, in
some cases, foreign policy initiatives are the same in almost all states. These
are:
1. Maintaining international peace and security
2. Secure national security to ensure citizen’s life and prosperity.
3. Maximization of national interest, maintenance of national
independence and Sovereignty.
4. Economic development is one of the key objectives for making
foreign policy
5. For the settlement of dispute areas through peaceful means, Etc.

Determinants of Foreign Policy

Each state formulates foreign policy to meet specific goals in the international
field. That policy is not solely dependent on the wishes and consciences of
policymakers.
Foreign policy leaders have to decide on foreign policy issues after many
considerations. They are influenced by many elements.

The factors that influence foreign policy are called the determinants of foreign
policy.

The determinants of foreign policy are many. Specific factors may play a key
role in determining the foreign policy of a particular state.

But this does not mean that a single entity can become a determinant of
foreign policy. In fact, more than one element is spread over foreign policy.

Some of them can be considered primary and some can be considered as a

secondary component.

Major determinants of Foreign Policy are:-

A. Geographical Location
There are two aspects of the influence of geography on foreign policy -

a. The geographical environment of the state and

b. The political importance of its geographical location. The state's

geographical environment refers to its size, area, and climate.

the ideal geographical environment of the state is:

1. The size of the state will be such that it will help the residents to
maintain a decent living standard.
2. The climate needs to be favorable to hard labor.
3. Terrain needs to be supportive of national resistance. Mountains,
Rivers, sea-borne countries enjoy the advantage of being free from
foreign invasions for natural reasons.
4. The shape of the state needs to be such that one can easily fast
during the war period.
5. In nature, it is not possible to achieve a favorable geographical
environment of a country.

The geographical location of each country is particularly influenced by its foreign

policy. Its insular position in Great Britain helps spread connectivity with other
countries.

Again The United States has succeeded in pursuing a policy of separation from
Europe for its geographical location.
B. Population

The population is considered an important determinant of foreign policy. For

a long time, the population has been regarded as an important criterion for
measuring state power.

In the past war, the massive infantry of The people's Republic of China helped
to resist the US forces.

The relation between population and foreign policy gains importance in terms
of the capability of a state.

The importance of the population to determine:

1. the policies of solidarity among all parts of the citizens,
2. the development of political organizations,
3. the quality of the public, the promotion of political consciousness,
4. the spread of the political participation, the pressure of public
opinion, the type of government, etc.

However, its quality is particularly important with respect to population size.

Citizens' skills, abilities, and quality money help to spread national influence.
C. History

Each nation's history is influenced by its foreign policy. The outline of the
history of each nation is formed through the special circumstances of the
chips and events. It is possible to identify its identity.

The geographical boundaries of each nation are determined through the

constraints of historical events.

Through the history of the development of a nation, many basic features of

foreign policy are developed.

In light of historical experience, each nation forms the basis of its foreign
policy.

D. Economic Resources

The nature and style of foreign policy are largely determined by economic
resources.
The economic strength of a state is an indicator of its affordability. The effect
of that ability is reflected in relations with other states.

The main objective of the economic structure is to utilize the country's land,
labor, capital, and enterprises for production.

Distribution of the economic wealth produced, consumption, public welfare,

improvement of living standards of the citizens, etc. are also included in the
economic activities of the state.

A country rich in natural resources can easily achieve its economic prosperity.
For example, mineral oil has become one of the most important political hubs
of Middle East international politics.

Natural resources and industrial development are the basis of the

international status of a country.

In the present world, each country's resistance depends on the rate of

industrialization and natural resources.

E. Ideology
Each state-system is governed by specific political ideologies. The values,
policies, programs, objectives, and goals of a state are governed by that
ideology.

Ideology does not simply determine the internal policies and values of a state;
it is governed by foreign policy and those ideologies.

For example, socialist states are convinced of the principles of international

peace, friendship, mutual cooperation, refusal to interfere in the internal
affairs of other states, etc.

In the end, capitalism maintains its existence through exploitation and

oppression of home and abroad.

It is for this reason that capitalist countries follow aggressive policies in

economic, political and cultural fields.

F. Efficiency of Government and Nature of

Political Leadership

Government leaders are the main source and strength of foreign policy. The
role of the state at any given time and the type of foreign policy to be followed
depends on the quality of the decision-makers.

On the basis of practical experience, it can be said that foreign policy cannot
be separated from the nature of government leadership under any
circumstances.
Foreign policy decisions are bound to be influenced by several things such as:
1. Leadership of the government,
2. Including psychological structure,
3. Political experience, and foresight,
4. Personality,
5. The realization of world-politics.

For this reason, it is possible to notice differences in political issues between

leaders of the same political party.

G. Quality of Diplomacy

The successor failure of a state in international Politics depends on its

diplomatic tactics and excellence.

Each of the goals and objectives of the state is determined by the diplomatic
ingenuity of the government.

All the goals of foreign policy are determined by the people involved in
diplomatic activity.

It is through the diplomatic activity that the main linkages and differences
with other states are resolved. Diplomats determine the mechanism for
combining different interests.
Final Words
From the above discussion, it can be seen that foreign policy is influenced by
many factors. In space and time, a particular element can gain importance in
comparison to different elements.

In many situations, any ingredient or determinant may seem irrelevant. Again,

due to the change of space or time, that element can play a major
determinant.

Also, some factors can influence joint foreign policymaking. Therefore, it is not
possible to formulate a universal theory about the role of a particular
determinant.