Factors Determining International Relations

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Factors Determining International Relations

1. The Geographic Factor: The location of a State on this planet, its
climate and size are such factors which influence its foreign policy in
relation to other States. There are numerous authorities who have advo-
cated that the foreign policy of a State is determined by the geography
of that state i.e., the geographical position of a State determines its
foreign policy. The geographical position of a nation is the principal
factor conditioning its foreign policy – the principal reason why it must
have a foreign policy at all. As for instance “the geographical factors
have been decisive for the course of British history and explain, just as
they dictated the main principles of British policy and the pre-occupation
of British statement”. (Sir A Chamberlain’s view). If the geographical
position of a country is sound, and its climate is healthy, if it is rich in
food-stuffs and raw materials, it must follow an independent foreign
policy. The geographical position and historical developments are such
determining factors of foreign policy of a country that regardless of
changes in the form of government, the foreign policy of a country has a
natural tendency to return again and again to the same general and
fundamental alignment. As for instance, if a state is strategically situated
having natural barriers like seas, mountains, terrains, deserts etc., it is
not ordinarily vulnerable to foreign invasions. Such strategically situated
country follows independent foreign policy in relation to other States.
If a country lacks in all these geographical factors, it has to look to the other
States and has to follow the course of the neighboring States in her relation
with them. It cannot follow an independent foreign policy, of its own. Thus it is
clear that a country which has unfavorable geographical positions cannot be
able to keep itself isolated from the events happening in its neighboring
countries. The typical example of strategically situated country is that of Great
Britain which is surrounded by seas on all sides and the English Channel
serves as the most effective barrier to foreign invasion of British Isles due to
the fact of which Great Britain remains secure and continues to be a great
power. Quite similar is the position of the United States of America. Its
geographically isolated position on this globe has brought power and strength
to it that it became able to compete Great Britain.
2. Economic Factors: The economic factors hold a key-plate in affecting

the relation of a State with the rest of the world. The chief elements of
economic factors which determine the position of a country in relation to
other states are (i) its self-sufficiency and (ii) its capacity to provide
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food, clothing and shelters to its population. Since nature has unevenly
distributed its wealth all over the world, no country can claim that it is
wholly economically self-sufficient and thus a great power.
A State may be purely agrarian or agricultural being rich in its raw materials
and food-stuffs only but lack in mineral resources as coal, iron etc. and hence
such States cannot be industrially advanced. Again a State may be rich in
mineral resources which can establish huge centers of production and hence
they may be industrially advanced states. Again there is the third category of
States which may be styled as the balanced States capable of producing
enough food for their population and establishing industries out of the
resources available within their territories, such as Great Britain, the U.S.A.
and the Soviet Union. But they also cannot pretend to be self-sufficient
because they have to depend upon other States for import of raw-materials
without which their industries cannot run successfully. Thus the so-called
balanced States becoming able to exert influence on other States and
become big powers in course of time. Whether it is the case of Great Britain,
or of the United States or of the Soviet Union or of China, the story is the
same. Just as the huge supplies of raw materials and natural resources are
essential for a country for becoming a big power, a large population is also
essential for bringing about greater industrial and agricultural output as well as
for raising a powerful army and navy. The great development in China is an
illustration on this point which has become one of the Five Big Powers of the
world and very recently has taken its seat in the 15 members-Security Council
of the United Nations. By population alone cannot make a country strong if it
goes on increasing day by day without a corresponding increase in
production. The case of India is a leading one on this point.
If a country does not control the increase in its population corresponding to

the increase in its production it must look for some other territories to
accommodate its increased expansionist policy. Japan invaded Manchuria
with this motive; China occupied Tibet for similar ambition, Germany clashed
with the Allied Powers with the same motive.
3. Demographic factor: The demographic factor – (a) the size of the

population and (b) ethnic circumstances, also affect the international
affairs to a great deal. A nation becomes great and powerful if it has
both a growing large population and efficient industrial production. The
Soviet Union and the U.S.A. are treated to be big powers only because
they have large population and a market industrial development. In
contrast to the above two countries, our country though having a large
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population has not become great power only because it has not been
industrially so advanced as to satisfy its needs. Thus the size of the
population and equally the huge and efficient industrial production
determine the existence to which a nation can claim have an
independent foreign policy of its own. Thus the size of population
contributes to the weakness of the country. Greater the size more weak
economic position is of a country.
Another demographic factor is the ethnic circumstances of a nation. Those

countries having a single race or nationality have no internal problems to
solve. Such countries are quite free to pursue an independent foreign policy
but the countries which have various races or nationalities are bound to face
numerous internal problems. The recent split of Pakistan into Pakistan proper
and Bangladesh is due to the fact that Pakistan is composed of several racial
groups. Though we find that India is composed of several racial groups but
the constitution of this country has solved the internal problems of India and
there is no likelihood of this country being split up into different entities. The
case of India serves an example in that despite diversities there is unity.
4. Strategic factors: The military strategy of a country is another

important factor to determine the foreign policy because is closely con-
nected with the national security of the country. If a country has effective
protective natural barriers, it seldom worries about its security, as for
instance British Isles and Japan. These countries are surrounded by
oceans on all sides and they enjoy the position of islands. Thus the
natural barriers of these countries have afforded protection from foreign
aggression. Since they are surrounded by oceans on all sides, they
have become able to have strong navy to safeguard their frontiers from
foreign attacks. This is the main reason that they are considered as
great naval powers. Besides seas and ocean, mountains, rivers, snow,
deserts, swamps and forests play significant roles in safeguarding the
territories of countries.
The Soviet Union and Switzerland are among the few countries which have
the most secured frontiers. Both of these countries play important roles in their
international affairs as they are strengthened by the most effective protective
natural barriers. Distance is another factor influencing the foreign affairs of
country. Countries which are isolated from the disturbed areas of the world
due to distance, remain actually unaffected by the U.S.A. on the globe serves
an example in this respect which remained unaffected by the disturbances
taking at some distant places. Thus the distance of a country from the centers
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of trouble spots is an important factors governing the strategic problems of

that country.
Additional Factors:
1. The historical-psychological, sociological factors: If a country has

its bold history, and its people are ready to sacrifice their blood for their
motherland, its moral shall always be high. The future of a country
cannot be assessed well if we do not study its to day’s affairs in light of
the yesterday’s history. No country can pursue an independent foreign
policy if the morale of its people is not high and their national character
is not strong enough. Such elements are necessary for adopting an
independent policy by any country or nation.
2. The organizational and administrative factor: This factor constitutes
the form of the government within a political society and the attitude of
the people towards it. Many of majority of foreign issues can be decided
by the sound governmental organization, efficient public administration
of a country. A government which has strong support from its people
lasts long and becomes efficient with lapse of time and becomes also
able to deal with the foreign affairs peacefully. Thus, general support of
the government and the efficient administration are very important
factors for the formulation of sound foreign policy.
3. The Military factor: Last but not the least significant factors is the
military factor which determines the foreign relations of a country. This
factor is considered from various aspects, e.g., size of the armed forces,
quality and morale of army men, quantity and variety of weapons and
equipments which determine the foreign relations also.

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1

Factors Determining International Relations

2. Economic Factors: The economic factors hold a key-plate in affecting

If a country does not control the increase in its population corresponding to

3. Demographic factor: The demographic factor – (a) the size of the

Another demographic factor is the ethnic circumstances of a nation. Those

4. Strategic factors: The military strategy of a country is another

of trouble spots is an important factors governing the strategic problems of

1. The historical-psychological, sociological factors: If a country has

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