FOREIGN POLICY AND IT’S PURPOSE
By Kennedy Donkor 2023 (kennedydonkor77@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION
All sovereign states have strategies and plans in place to achieve their goals, whether internally or externally. These are referred to as domestic and foreign policy. Both policies are intended to protect the national interests of the state. Foreign policy in the modern era has become rather complicated because it was previously largely focused on policies that were simply linked to the national interest, such as military might or treaties. However, trade, economics, human rights, the environment, and socio-cultural concerns are now part of foreign policy. All of these challenges have an impact on how countries engage with one another and pursue their national interests across the world in some way. Because the world is globalized, and no country lives on an island, countries interact and rely on one another for survival. Countries can decide to have specific policies and regulations that govern their relationship. For example, Ghana could decide to pursue a trade policy with Nigeria or a military alliance with the United States. This is known as foreign policy. This paper attempts to explain what foreign policy is and “why states devote so much resources to the formulation and implementing foreign policies?”.
WHAT IS FOREIGN POLICY
According to Akindele (2003), foreign policy is a set of decisions and actions taken by the state and its interactions with other states. This explains how a country wants to deal with other states in terms of trade, security, and many more. In the same manner, Modelski (1962) defined foreign policy as "the systematic activities evolved by communities and states for changing the behavior of other states/communities and for adjusting their activities to their external environment". George Modeski tried to indicate that foreign policy is a set of activities and strategies employed by a community, such as a nation-state, or country to either influence the behavior of other states or adjust their behavior to better navigate the external environment. However, this thought influenced Gross (1954) to posit that foreign policy is not limited to a state's decisions and actions in its interactions with other states but also encompasses the decision to have no relations with a particular state. The degree of involvement in the relationship with another state should be determined by each state to safeguard its interests. Consequently, foreign policy has both positive and negative aspects, where the former aims to change the behavior of other states and the latter seeks to achieve this adjustment by not changing that behavior (Gross, 1954). Hartman (1951) has also affirmed the notion of Modeski by defining foreign policy as a systematic statement of deliberately selected national interest (Hartman, 1951. In words of Charles Lerche (1951) characterized foreign policy as encompassing the actions and decisions that states pursue in their interactions with other states to achieve their desired national interests (Lerche, 1951). This means that foreign policy is a set of actions and decisions that a country takes in its interactions with other countries to further its national interests. Pearson and Rochester (1973) explained the foreign policy as a collection of decisions made by national leaders to provide a broad framework for selecting from among different courses of action in international affairs. This accentuated the influential role of national leaders in shaping foreign policy and the significance of a well-defined structure to direct decision-making in the realm of international relations.
Each definition has a set of components that runs through the various definitions by these scholars, such as decision making which are consciously made plans by a country, actions, steps, or measures to help manifest or implement the set plans taken by state officials which is directed toward the external environment and to achieve national interest.
In this particular context, foreign policy can be described as the choices, approaches, procedures, and deeds adopted by officials of a state concerning other nations that lie beyond its borders, with the aim or objective of attaining national interests.
SCOPE AND NATURE OF FOREIGN POLICY
The nature and scope of foreign policy are made by domestic actors, international actors, and national governmental and national non-governmental that act on behalf of their citizens or members. It goes through the formulation stage and the implementation stage and decision-making is based on rationality. The rational decision is based on four stages, these are:
(i). Problem identification. This indicates that policymakers must ascertain a particular problem that can be identified by many and must be addressed
(ii). Goal identification and goal selection. Here, foreign policymakers enter into foreign policy by considering what the country wants to achieve.
(iii). Searching for alternatives. This is the instance where policymakers search for a possible solution before signing or having any foreign policy with any country by considering the cost or the outcome.
(iv). Choice making. This is carried out in two different arenas which are domestic which is carried out by the ministry of foreign affairs and external, carried out by the ambassador.
Foreign policy is divided into several types, the most important of which is economic foreign policy, which deals with the mediation and management of cross-border economic movements. Socioeconomic foreign policy also helps states reach an agreement on exchanging programs with one another (countries). Again, we have a military foreign policy that allows countries to form alliances with each other. Political foreign policy is another type of foreign policy that allows sovereign states to choose whether to maintain or change the type of relationship they have with one another. All of these types of foreign policy are implemented by states through the use of propaganda, diplomacy, war, and economic instruments such as trade and foreign aid. It is also characterized by certain principles and motives in its practices. First of all, it may be hostile or aggressive, friendly or natural toward other states. The state's foreign policies toward others are based on aggressiveness and friendliness. Foreign policy may be original or reactive. This is when one state initiates a certain foreign policy and the other also reacts to it. It is also influenced by ideological considerations this is a political ideology. Democratic states are more likely to have a foreign policy with democratic states than non-democratic states. Foreign policy is again influenced by the type of political leader. Military leaders' foreign policy toward other countries may be different from civilians. Lastly, it is also influenced by the time at which it appears. A country's foreign policy toward a specific country may be friendly at one time but become hostile at another. For example, Russia's foreign policy toward Ukraine was friendly until recently, when Ukraine decided to form a military alliance with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO, which has now turned hostile. No foreign policy was created in a vacuum, nor was there any intention for any sovereign state to pursue a specific foreign policy with the other. States enter into treaties with other states for a variety of reasons, including national security, economic well-being, and the prestige, status, and honor of their citizens, as well as to promote the country’s ideologies.
WHY DO STATES DEVOTE RESOURCES TO FOREIGN POLICIES?
Countries embarking on foreign policies are influenced by a myriad of factors. These factors play a significant role in shaping a nation's approach to international relations and can vary from country to country. Some of the key factors that drive a country's foreign policy decisions include:
NATIONAL INTEREST
What countries want for themselves is one of the pivotal reasons why countries devote many resources to their foreign policy and it is obvious from the definitions from the various scholars. This influences every foreign policy country takes. For instance, America has five essential national interests that are: to prevent the threat of an attack of weapons of mass destruction on U.S. soil or its military abroad; to ensure U.S. allies' survival and cooperation to shape an international system in which we can thrive; to prevent the emergence of hostile powers on U.S. borders; to ensure the viability of major global systems; and to establish productive relations with nations that could become adversaries. This indicates that every foreign policy that will be taken by the United States have to be headed toward their five main national interest, no wonder their slogan is “no permanent friends or enemy only interest”. In the same vein, section 19 of the 1999 Constitution outlines the goals of Nigeria's international relations, which encompass the promotion and safeguarding of its national interests. This implies that Nigeria aims to advance its strategic interests and secure its position in the global community through its foreign policy (Uchenna, 2020). Again, Mongolia's Foreign Policy concept states that “Mongolia’s foreign policy shall be based on its national interests, as defined in its Constitution”. The primary duty of a nation-state, according to Morgenthau, is to protect its physical, political, and cultural identity from potential threats posed by other states (Krishna, 2017). By so doing state ensures that all its foreign policies are directed toward achieving such national interest.
ENHANCE SECURITY
Security has been one of the nitty-gritty of many countries across the globe as the First and Second World war has thought world lessons. This has motivated countries to embark on foreign policy for security reasons in teams of war or any crises. This has led to bandwagoning in the global system such as the alliance with Saudi Arabia and the United States which is a quintessential example. United States' alliance with France, Germany, Japan south Korea, Ghana, etc. for security. This creates an enabling environment for each country to exchange training among their security force.
The United States boasts the largest and most advanced military force globally, which has led to the establishment of numerous overseas military bases. Approximately 750 US foreign military bases are strategically located across 80 States. These countries have accepted the presence of these bases due to the inherent benefits of protection and security they offer (The Soldiers Project, 2023).
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was founded primarily to address the need for collective security among member states. The organization was founded with the explicit goal of ensuring the defense and protection of its member countries. This member states' foreign policies reflect their commitment to protecting their security interests.
It was founded in 1949 in response to escalating tensions and security concerns in the aftermath of World War II. Its central tenet is collective defense, which means that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all, and mutual aid is provided. This agreement aimed to deter potential adversaries, promote strength and foster a sense of solidarity among member nations.
ECONOMIC WELL-BEING AND WELFARE
Achieving economic well-being and welfare of citizens is one of the main reasons that states partake in origin or react to foreign policy. States enter into bilateral relations for both countries to benefit, especially by entering into trade agreements. Countries can decide to have a foreign policy with one another to open their doors for foreign investors from other countries to establish companies for their citizens to get employed to boost their local economy. In 2018 the President of the Republic of Ghana went to Germany to strengthen the relationship between these two countries. According to the President of the Republic of Ghana, “We want our relations with Germany to be characterized by an increase in trade and investment cooperation” He explained that an increase in trade and investment cooperation between the two countries is the only way to put Ghanaian products at the high end of the value chain in the global marketplace, and, thereby, create jobs for the teeming masses of Ghanaians, particularly the youth. According to Efem N Ubi and Oluwatooni O Akinkuotu, “Nigerian foreign policy and economic development, 1999–2013” affirmed that there is a strong relationship between a country's foreign policy and its economic development. As a result, the primary goal of foreign policy is to promote and advance economic development within the country (Ubi and Akinkuotu, 2014).
American Foreign Policy and U.S Relations Rusia and Chana after 11 September
FOR PRESTIGE, STATUS, AND NATIONAL HONOR
Countries devote much to foreign policy to protect their prestige, status, and honor. Developed countries always achieve this by giving aid to countries and organizations to which they have assigned agreements. This is always done to keep the status of the country at a global level. The United States of America is the top donor to World Health Organization and this policy by the American have put their status at the top. The United States of America and the World Health Organization work together on global health challenges to make the world a safer and healthier place by fighting disease globally, including health security, polio, primary health care, and maternal child health. This was obvious when the former President of America Donald Trump threatened to withdraw from World Health Organization. This brought a lot of debate in the international discussion on how that was going to affect the world at large.
PROMOTES THE COUNTRY’S IDEOLOGY
Ideological differences in the international political system have now influenced foreign policy which has gotten the attention of hegemon countries to devote more to their foreign policy. The two main ideological conflicts at the global level have influenced countries like America and China to expand their foreign policy to different countries to be able to inculcate their political ideology in other countries, especially the developing ones. This was clear during the cold war when the United States and the Soviet Union had an ideological battle.
In modern times, it is uncommon to witness democratic nations maintaining cordial relations with non-democratic states due to inherent ideological differences. This phenomenon is influenced by the democratic peace theory, which asserts that democracies tend to avoid conflict with one another. As a concrete illustration, one can observe how the United States refrains from engaging in hostile actions against Britain, as both countries share democratic systems of governance.
CONCLUSION
Foreign policy involves a set of decisions and actions taken by a state concerning its interactions with other states. It encompasses trade, security, and other areas of engagement. It is a deliberate and systematic approach employed by a country to influence the behavior of other states or adjust its behavior to navigate the external environment.
In the modern era, foreign policy has evolved beyond traditional military and treaty-focused approaches. It now encompasses various aspects such as trade, economics, human rights, the environment, and socio-cultural concerns. This expansion reflects the interconnectedness of nations and the need to address diverse challenges in international relations.
Globalization has made it essential for countries to interact and rely on each other for survival. Foreign policy plays a crucial role in shaping these interactions, as countries establish specific policies and regulations to govern their relationships with other nations. Examples include trade policies, military alliances, and diplomatic engagements.
Foreign policy is influenced by various factors, such as national interests, security concerns, economic well-being, prestige, and ideology. National interests guide decision-making, while security considerations drive alliances and military strategies. Economic well-being motivates trade agreements and investments. Prestige and ideology play roles in shaping a country's global standing and efforts to spread its political beliefs.
States devote significant resources to foreign policy due to the importance of safeguarding national interests, enhancing security, promoting economic well-being, maintaining prestige, and advancing ideological goals. Rational decision-making processes, involving problem identification, goal selection, alternative evaluation, and choice-making, are employed to formulate and implement foreign policies.
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