Factors of foreign policy Essay Example for Free

Factors of inter field of study indemnity EssayIn the first place the size of a states territory as well as its commonwealth greatly influences its alien polity. Gener eachy the leaders and people of countries with sm all in all territory and population do not expect their solid ground to carry great weight in international affairs. On the early(a) support the leaders and people of large countries are ready to assume special responsibilities. However, sometimes even small states which fork over rich resources as well leave a deep clash on instauration political relation. For example, Britain, a small country, played leading role in world politics in the nineteenth and early twentieth degree Celsius. In our own times the oil-rich countries of the Middle East, though small in size are playing a signifi scum bagt role in international politics. On the separate hand large states like Canada and Australia have not been adequate to abide by effective foreign consti tution. soil of Independent states (CIS) which came into existence after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, though quite large in size, is not equal to play an effective role in contemporary international relations.The geography of a country, including its fertility, climate, jam in relation to their landmasses, and water-ways etc. likewise influence the countrys foreign policy. It is a major figure in determining self-sufficiency of a country. largely land-locked countries, nations in the tropics and those bordering a superpower are less self-sufficient in comparison to the countries which have access to warm-water ports or are located in the temperate zones and far removed from superpowers. For example in the nineteenth century USA adopted isolationistic policy chiefly on aim of its geographical location.Though the importance of geographic factors is acknowledged nigh at all hands, its importance has well declined due to technological and scientific developments. Fo r example, due to improvement in the means of transport and communication the world has greatly shrunk and the perception of large bodies of water as infixed barriers to military attack has greatly diminished. But still geographical location of a country has a deep impact on the determination of its foreign policy. India adopted policy of non-alignment because of geographical location.The presence of devil major powers on its borders (USSR and China) deterred it from joining power blocs. 3. Culture and History. The cultural and historic traditions of a country also deeply influence the foreign policy. Generally people possessing a unified common culture and historical experience can pursue an effective foreign policy because of the support of all sections of society who piece of ground the same values and memories. On the other hand, a country which is culturally and historically fragmented cannot pursue an equally effective foreign policy.According to Prof. Roseau the influenc e of cultural factors is not limited to the impact of social unity upon the formulation and implementation of foreign policy. Equally important are the processes through which the contents of divided up norms and practices of society, as distinguished from the degree of unity that supports them shape the plans that are made and the activities that are undertaken withrespect to the external world 4. Economic Development. The stage of economic development which a country has attained also has its impact on its foreign policy.Generally the industrially advanced countries feel more(prenominal) deeply involved in relations with other countries because they have to import different kinds of raw materials and commodities from other countries. They are also on the observatory of latest knowledge and technical know-how. Therefore they maintain intimate trade relations with their trading partners. tout ensemble this leads to intimate links between the groups and people of one country wit h their counterparts in the other country.Again, an industrial country is expected to have a higher gross national product (GNP) and can devote greater funds for external purpose, economic aid programme, military ventures and extensive diplomatic commitments. On the other hand, industrially backward countries are not able to actively involve themselves in external affairs. The overleap of scientists, engineers and other specialists in the country prevents them from taking advantage of the technological break-through abroad.In recent years United States has been able to pursue more vigorous foreign policy and secure its national objectives, primarily on account of its high degree of economic development. It has made liberal use of foreign aid as an agent for the promotion of its foreign policy goals. It is a matter of common knowledge that in our times the industrially developed countries (popularly known as G-7) are playing an effective role in international politics as compared t o other developed or under-developed countries.This is but natural in view of fact that economically developed countries possess greater military capability than the less developed countries, and can exert greater influence on international relations. In our own times the decline of Russias economic power has considerably undermined her political role in the international arena. 5. Technology. Advancement in technology, which affects the military and economic capabilities of a state, also exercises profound influence on the foreign policy.However, this factor influences the foreign policy only in an collateral manner, by influencing other sources of foreign policy. It has been observed that countries which possess advance technology are able to win technical knowhow to less developed and developing nations and frankincense exert necessary influence on their foreign policies. Roseau has rightly observed Technological changes can alter the military and economic capabilities of a soci ety and thus its status and role in the international formation.The dominant role which countries like France, China, Germany and Japan have been able to play in recent years is largely due to excellent technological developments in these countries. 6. matter Capacity. The national capacity of a state also exercises profound influence on the foreign policy of a state. National capacity of a state depends on its military preparedness, its technological patterned advance and economic development.It is well known that United States which continued to pursue policy of isolation till the get of the present century got deeply involved in the international arena in the present century mainly due to tremendous increase in her national capacity due to rapid economic development. Similarly, the foreign policy of Britain underwent great transformation in the post World War II period, mainly due to decline in her national capacity. 7. Social Structure. The social structure of a society also exercises profound influence on its foreign policy.A society which is sharply divided on the derriere of wealth,religion, regional imbalances, etc. cannot pursue effective foreign policy on account of division and lack of co-operation among various groups. On the other hand a homogeneous society possessing strong sense of national unity can pursue a more effective foreign policy. It is well known that Britain stood as one person under the leadership of Churchill during the Second World War and the people gladly suffered all kinds of hardships to preserve their unity because of social solidarity. 8. Public Mood, Public mood is another important determinant of a countrys foreign policy.Though globe mood usually follows rather than guides the foreign policy do process, it can exercise lot of influence on the determination of a foreign policy if the basic realignment in the prevailing great power structure takes place and the state becomes more involved or more isolated from the wor ld affairs. It may be noted that generally in an authoritarian scheme the public mood does not influence the foreign policy, but in a democratic establishment establish on political office considerable weight has to be accorded to the changing public mood and sentiments. governmental Organization. The political organization found in a country also greatly influences the foreign policy. Generally under authoritarian system quick foreign policy decisions are possible because the decision making power rests with an individual assisted by his clique. But as the leaders under this system are isolated from the operational environments and the overcome policy makers provide the information which is perceived by the superiors, there is all possibility of a division between the psychological and operational aspects of the foreign policy.Further, under this system unwanted opposition can be suppressed through censorship and promulgation of regulations. On the other hand in a country pos sessing a democratic structure the citizens can freely express their credit on the domestic as well as foreign policy which naturally leave its impact on the foreign policy of the country. Under democratic system there is very little discrepancy between what the officials want to believe about the state of world politics and the actual position because the subordinate policy makers make available critical and detached information.Within the democratic system itself the difference in a political structure has its impact on foreign policy. For example, under a parliamentary system of government based on co-operation between the Legislature and the Executive, the cordial relations between the two fly have an impact on countrys foreign policy. On the other hand under presidential system based on the principle of separation of powers, the relation between the two wings are likely to be more strained, which affect the ambiguity or continuity of foreign policy.Similarly, different foreig n policy is likely to emerge under bi-party system and multi-party systems. Generally under bi-party system the government is likely to have a clear-cut majority and manage itself in a more decisive manner regarding the conduct of foreign relations. In contrast of this, under multi-party system conflicting view points and interests may have to be reconciled. This may lead either to the avoidance or postponement of the decision. 10. Role of Press. The press also plays a vital role in the foreign policy formulation process.The press contributes to this process by proviso factual information on the basis of which the people take decision by publishing specialize articles on current international developments which enable the people to understand the significance of developments in their country in relation to the past developments and by analyzing the policy of the government in regard to foreign affairs. The press also plays an important role in publicizing the foreign policy of th e country. The role of the press, however, depends on the political system prevailing in the country, the rate of literacy as well as the attitude of government.The nature of political accountability prevailing in a system also greatly influences the foreign policy of the country. Generally in an open political system, the demands of citizen and groups get articulated and transmitted to foreign policy formulators. The framers of foreign policy cannot burn these demands. In fact quite often the policy formulators anticipate these demands while formulating the foreign policy. On the other hand under a closed system the public reactions are neither available nor prone much importance.The leadership also plays a vital role in the shaping of a countrys foreign policy. According to Rosenau A leaders beliefs about the nature of international arena and the goals that ought to be pursued therein, his or her peculiar intellectual strength and weakness for analyzing information and making de cisions, his or her past background and the goal of its relevance to the requirements of the role, his or her emotional needs and most of other personality traitsthese are but a few of the idiosyncratic factors that can influence the planning and execution of foreign policy. No doubt, the qualities of leadership have a deep impact on the countrys foreign policy but their role is greatly restrain by the governmental and social structure. Further the role of leadership is not identical in all countries. In less developed countries their role is greater as compared to industrialized societies. In industrialized societies the individuals bask very limited discretion in high governmental and non-governmental positions. Posted 2nd July 2012 by deal Ngeny