Political Science

UNIT I
FOREIGN POLICY AND ITS DETERMINANTS: MEANING AND OBJECTIVE

Foreign Policy:
The present age is of nation-states, internationalism and interdependent world. No state, however
strong it may be, can live in isolation. All the independent states are creating economic, political,
social, scientific, and cultural relations with the other countries for safeguarding their national
interests. In other words, they adopt their own policies towards other foreign states to promote
their national interest. Foreign policy is used as an instrument for achieving national interests. In
fact, the making of foreign policy has traditionally been regarded as one of the key features of
international politics. It reflects the importance of statecraft as an activity through which national
governments manage their relations with other states and international bodies so that they can
deal with the issues of sovereignty and security and their survival. The national governments
choose a course of action or non-action in respect of different foreign governments. After the
establishment of the United Nations, the inter-relationships among sovereign states have assumed
greater importance. In fact, every government must formulate a definite course of action or policy
to regulate its own behavior in relation to other states. Such a course of action or policy is called
the foreign policy of a state. Foreign policy, also known as external policy, is the set of strategies and
actions a state employs in its interactions with other states, unions, and international entities.

In general terms, it is the relations among countries regarding all issues of international relevance
like peace, disarmament, climate change, development, justice, decolonialization etc.
Specifically, it is the outline of a country’s policy in pursuing its national interest in global affairs. A
successful foreign policy enhances a nation’s power and prestige not only in the state but also
outside the state.

India’s foreign policy has been guided by certain principles and objectives, which have although
undergone certain changes with respect to the changing dynamics of the international politics, but
the nucleus has remained unchanged and promises to remain the same in future as well.

The decade of India’s independence was an eventful one. World War II ended in 1945, with a heavy
toll on the economy and society of the world. These experiences led to the formation of a new
organization, the United Nations, to maintain global peace and ensure security. A lot of new
nations came into existence, particularly in Asia and Africa, which suffered from poverty and
underdevelopment. Besides, the postwar period saw the world divided into two camps with the
USA and USSR engaged in a cold war. Both these nations wanted the newly independent countries
to follow their models of development.

In such situations, India faced its own challenges due to British colonial legacy like partition, huge
poverty, abysmally low level of human development. India’s foreign policy was shaped in these
circumstances. It decided to conduct its foreign relations with an aim to respect the sovereignty of
all other nations and to achieve security through the maintenance of peace.

DEFINATIONS:

➢ In the words of Joseph Frankel, Foreign policy consists of decisions and actions which
involve to some appreciable extent relations between one state and others.
➢ C.C.Rodee defines foreign policy as a group of principles which are adopted by the states to
protect the national interests and to change the behavior of others.
Objectives of foreign policy: The foreign policy of every state is based on some objectives and
principles. It is the art of government chiefly with respect to foreign powers. It is mainly the growth
of such principles and behaviors which protect and develop one state’s national interests and
regulates its relations with other states.

1) Promotion of national interests: Promotes the national interests of the country. Self-
preservation, security and welfare of the citizens are the primary interests of each state, and
it is observed that often these interests clash with each other, and the states must protect
their interests keeping this factor in mind.
2) Promote its own interests: Maintenance of links with other members of international
community and adoption of policy of conflict or co-operation towards them with a view to
promoting its own interests.
3) Promotion of economic interests: The foreign policy aims at promotion of economic
interests of the country. The states try to pursue a foreign policy, which can contribute to
their economic prosperity and enable it to play a more effective role in international politics.
For Ex. India adopted the policy of non-alignment primarily because she hoped to get every
possible help and assistance from both the superpowers and to accelerate the process of
economic development.
4) Protect the territorial integrity: Protect the territorial integrity of a country thereby
protecting the interests of its citizens both within and outside the country. Hence, for this
purpose the states prefer to follow a policy of the status quo. A state must protect the
interests of its citizens inside and outside its boundaries thereby maintaining its prestige.
5) Enhancement of the influence of the state: Foreign policy aims at the enhancement of the
influence of the state, either by expanding its area of influence or by reducing the position of
dependency of the other states.

Determinants of foreign policy:

There are many factors which influence the foreign policy of a country. While formulating the foreign
policy of every nation, an attempt is made to harmonize national interests and ideals of a state.

INTERNAL FACTORS

1) Geography: Geographical factors like the size, climate and the location of a country, its natural
resources and population are major decisive elements that determine the power of the nation in
international politics which in turn shape its foreign policy. Geography is a major factor in
determining the self-sufficiency of a country. Suitable geographical conditions can help and
encourage the nation to adopt and pursue higher goals.

For example, supersonic jets, intercontinental ballistic missiles and rockets have made the
mountains and seas vulnerable as within few hours, great distances can be covered making the
entire world vulnerable to destruction. Nevertheless, the importance of geography is still permanent
in foreign policy making.

2)Cultural and historical factors: The cultural heritage and the history of a nation are again
important and valuable factors of its Foreign Policy. The norms and traditions that characterize the
life of the people of a state are highly influential factors in its foreign policy. During the process of
interpreting and formulating the objectives of national interest, the decision makers are aways
governed by their cultural links, historical traditions and experiences. Strong cultural unity of the
people is always a source of strength for them. It materially influences their ability to secure the
objectives of national interest during international bargaining.

3)Economic development: Economic development oriented foreign policy is a common

phenomenon in the globalized era as many states look for foreign direct investments, and the
expansion and diversification of foreign trade. Immediately after independence, India tried to keep
away from cold war politics to concentrate its economic development. For the maintenance of
balance of power India adopted the policy of non-alignment. Undoubtedly, economic development
and trade became a focal point in foreign policy in the globalized era. Therefore, in the recent past,
economic development became the nucleus of Indian foreign policy.
4)National and military capacity: National capacity of a state depends on its military preparedness,
its technological advancement and economic development. State with adequate military capacity
will have a greater say and bargaining power in terms of foreign policy objective. National capacity
determines as well as executes foreign policy effectively. If the state increases its national capacity,
its foreign policy will undergo a big change. It will strive to attain a position of distinction in
international relations; if it decreases, the state will have to compromise with its poor status.

5) Leadership: Leadership also plays a vital role in the shaping of a country’s foreign policy. The
qualities of a leader have a profound impact on the country’s foreign policy, but their role is greatly
constrained by the governmental and social structure. The role of leadership is not identical in all
countries. It is greater in less developed countries as compared to industrialized countries.

6)Public opinion: Public opinion especially in democratic countries cannot be ignored as it is one of
the determinants of foreign policy. The establishment of democratic institutions, the increase in the
standard of living, the scourge of the First World War and expansion of education have made the
world public opinion a significant factor in foreign policy. It is often vague, volatile, amenable to
quick changes and difficult to mobilize. Thus, public opinion acts as a determinant in shaping the
foreign policy of a nation.

7)Ideology: Foreign Policy is a set of principles and a strategic plan of action adopted by a nation to
fulfill the goals of national interest. It has always ideological content. For securing support for its goal
as well as for criticizing the foreign policy goals of other nations, it needs and adopts an ideology or
some ideological principles.

EXTERNAL FACTORS

In addition to the internal factors, there are several external factors that exercise considerable
influence on the foreign policy of a country. In recent times, the world has become so interlinked
that incidents in other countries have their immediate impact on other countries. These external
factors influencing the foreign policy are as follows:

1)International Organization: While formulating its foreign policy, a country must consider
international law, treaties, and contracts. Almost all the countries are members of the UN. The
decisions and activities of the UN affect the foreign policy of many nations. The member countries
must adhere to the direction and regulations of this international organization.

2)Alliances: The countries that are parties to the alliance must respond to the requests and
demands of their alliances and refrain from formulating policies or taking actions which are offensive
to them.

3) World public opinion: It also exercises a profound influence on the foreign policy of a country.
For instance, the U.S. government was made to change its Vietnam policy largely due to hostile world
public opinion. The strength behind the objectives of Disarmament, Arms control and Nuclear
Disarmament, Anti-colonialism, Anti-apartheid policies of various nations, has been world public
opinion.

4) Other external factors: The other external factors that have a bearing upon foreign policy are
global environment, general world conditions, general regional environment, global problems such
as arms race, nuclear proliferation, economic depression, economic inequalities, for example, the
north-south dialogue, and refugee problem. The prevailing alliance system and power structure in
the world, either bipolar or multipolar, also influence the foreign policy of different nations. It covers
cold wars, local wars, superpower rivalry in any region, ethnic crisis in a neighboring state, civil war,
natural calamities in any state, atomic explosion, and any other international crisis.