International relations - foreign policy - Essay Example

Foreign policy: Countries, big and small alike, have internal domestic policies. Concurrently, they also have foreign policies. These policies are bases of the values and interests that are crucial in guiding how these particular governments act or behave with regards to certain international issues. Policy, here referring to a certain course of action. According to Feigert, Graebner, Papademetriou, Mangone, Ransom, Wilson, Wolfe, Piper & Terchek, foreign policy is the foreign component of public policy. (1983) Simply defined, public policy is the choice or the stance that particular governments adopt with regards to certain issues in country. (Dye, 1972) That said, while public policy is concerned with the domestic issues and policies to be implemented within (inside) state borders, foreign policy on its part is concerned with policies that are to be implemented without (outside) the countries borders. (Feigert, et al, 1983) Foreign policy plainly put is the policy that is formulated and adopted by state governments for the purposes of governing its relations with other countries in the international arena. The most important thing to note about foreign policy is that it is primarily concerned with state interests. State interest could be in either, political, military and/or economic terms. The reason why a country would like to implement certain policies with regards to other countries has to do with what it stands to gain more than anything else. Shah (2001) posits that every nation/country is in possession of a foreign policy. The reason why foreign policy is important is because it ensures that the needs of the nations/countries are represented in the international community. During the cold war countries mostly used foreign policies as a way of furthering their national interests and agendas. In the course of furthering these agendas, the interests held dear by other nations in the international community did not matter much and were disregarded. In most cases this often led to resentment between different countries with different issues to push forth. (Shah, 2001) The conduct of foreign policy then involves balancing between substitute policies and their perceived costs and benefits. (Feigert, et al, 1983) At the end of the day, countries more often than not, adopt the policies that are most favorable to them and are in sync with what they may want to achieve (national interest). It could be security needs or economic growth. (Shah, 2001) Traditionally, the conduct of foreign policy has often been the duty of the national governments. Nonetheless, other actors within the state realm are involved in the conduct and formulation of foreign policy. These are the smaller regional states and provinces within a nation/country. For this reason, there is always advocacy and lobbying for the type of issues and interests that should be part of foreign policy and which respective government should focus on. This way these state actors are able to influence foreign policy decisions. Despite this, some governments wield such immense powers such that they lock out these state actors such as regional states and provinces out of the formulation and consequent conduct of foreign policy. Take the case of India for example. As per the Indian constitution, the central federal government, the executive, is granted all the powers in the land necessary for the conduct of both domestic and foreign policies. Still, even though these actors are given lesser powers, but powers nonetheless by the Indian Constitution, the regional states in India have little or no autonomy. The consequence of this is that their roles are usurped and the central government makes all the crucial decisions with regards to foreign policy. (Dossani & Vijaykumar, 2005) As countries conduct foreign policy they involve themselves in such activities as diplomacy, negotiations, bargaining, cooperation or even coercion, bullying, lying and intimidation. Depending on what their interests are at the end of the day and the kind of leverage they have, the conduct therefore varies from country to country. Foreign policy conduct is a very decisive activity. Countries need to choose the best method that translates to the best advantage plus the accomplishment of goals and interests. Diplomacy and cooperation have been especially beneficial to India. (Feigert, et al, 1983) India has formulated its foreign policy around the neighborhood idea with a focus on the countries with which it has a common affiliation based on similar history and culture. Thus, the guiding principle in India's foreign policy is founded on the panchsheel, on practicality and the inherent pursuit of national interest. The international arena has been over the years going through considerable changes, as a result, India's foreign policy is designed to respond most advantageously to the new challenges thrown its way while also exploiting any opportunities. Its foreign policy is a focal point in its larger efforts of building the state's potential through economic development, in addition to protecting its independence and territorial integrity. (Embassy of India, 2008) Thus, while local Indian internal domestic politics require a more internal focus, the Indian government has realized there are inherent advantages in engaging the international community in its affairs. This is because, the international community will also help India achieve its domestic objectives. India has five main foreign policy issues, conventional security, economic growth, energy security, nuclear capability and non proliferation and lastly, strategic stature and leadership. (Dormandy, 2008) According to Marquardt, in bargaining as a conduct of foreign policy, a country could be considered to be engaged in some kind of a game. This game can be termed as an information game. This is because the countries involved have as much and as necessary information and /or leverage as is needed before the bargaining is set on motion. This serves the simple function of helping countries identify the best arrangement as is possible and there by accomplishing their end/goal. However, in instances that only one side has the vital information, then the bargaining becomes skewed in the favor of the country with the most information/leverage. In this case, the country with the leverage has the upper hand. (2006) Bargaining is vital in as far as economic cooperation is contained in foreign policy. It is what leads to mutually benefiting economic agreements. This is one way in which India has been able to get into bilateral trade agreements with other countries such as those in Asia and Europe. It is aware of what it needs that is in the possession of the other countries. It is also firmly aware of what it is prepared to offer so that the agreements are mutually satisfying. Foreign policy is also conducted by way of diplomacy. According to Thilumalai & Mallikarjun, (2001) diplomacy is the policy that a state can adopt towards another state. The end result of diplomacy is in the advancement of a state's interests. However, this has to happen in such a way that it leads to the establishment of beneficial relations between states. Consequently, harmony and understanding between any two states rests only in the proper conduct of diplomacy. Thus, diplomacy is the process through which any one state carries out its dealings in relation to other states. While skill, courtesy, persistence and the use of guarded language are part of diplomacy, sometimes falsehoods and fraud can also be used. As stated before, it's all about what a country stands to gain. Through diplomacy, a state is able to present and explain its policies to other states which it views as avenues for potential opportunities. This then requires the services of skilled diplomats. In the case of India, it is important that the foreign diplomats chosen to articulate India interest are the best. What India needs is diplomats who can clearly and concisely demonstrate just how worthy the substance of India's foreign policy is. It is not just important to have people who can easily faze with their words when they speak, rather its all about how well they are able to display how even the minute details in the Indian foreign policy are important and vital in the global drift for collaboration. It is imperative that they show just how India joins in with the rest of the world despite also being unique. For instance, it would be important that India justifies the increase of its military armory and puts its case for economic cooperation forth. But, there is a need to do this in a way that does not in any way offend any of its neighbors or potential partners. Hence, economic diplomacy has been one of the key components that make up India's foreign policy. (Thilumalai & Mallikarjun, 2001) Given the desire that India has for stability that ultimately culminates in economic growth, India has worked to improve its relations with other countries with frequent diplomatic visits and also having diplomats in the countries where it has interests to forge cordial relations. (Dormandy, 2008) Negotiations and cooperation are also vital especially as India seeks to strengthen its bilateral relations with its central Asia partners. The central Asian region presents numerous strategic and economic activities to India. India has, for instance, adopted a policy of cooperation with China as one way through which it can exploit the potential for further economic growth. However, this would not happen if India was not committed. Friendly visits come in handy as far as cooperation and negotiations are concerned. As part of India's economic diplomacy, there have been efforts towards South-South cooperation. More over, such programmes as the Indian Economic and Technical cooperation (ITEC) have also been established. Indian foreign policies towards cooperation and economic cooperation at that are for the simple rationale of helping India achieve its strategic national interest of economic growth. The success lies in India identifying and adopting foreign policy issues that will translate to its economic growth, The most important foreign policy conduct that India can involve itself in is dialogue. If relations between it and other countries such as the United States including European countries, that in the end translate into India's national interest for economic growth, are to occur or even improve, dialogue has to take centre stage. India has to talk and talk with as many potential partners as she can. There are two ways about this. Dialogue has already borne some fruits as seen in the strategic cooperation between India and other countries. (Embassy of India, 2008) Foreign policy simply defined is the kind of policy that is adopted by particular state government so as to govern their relations with other countries in the international territory. Normally, foreign policy is the mandate of the executive in the central government who are accorded the duty by their respective constitutions. However, various state actors as state regions and provinces may also be involved in the conduct of foreign policy/ the conduct of foreign policy takes the form of diplomacy, negotiations, cooperation, bargaining or even bullying an intimidation, these are the tactics employed by countries in the conduct of foreign policy for the simple purpose of achieving their interests. India just like any country in the world has formulated foreign policies. There are for the purposes of helping it achieve its economic and security interests. It has therefore chosen to conduct foreign policy by way of diplomacy, dialogue bargaining and cooperation. This involves India identifying opportunities from which it can further its economic interest and furthering them. However in as far as diplomacy is concerned, success lies in choosing the best diplomats who are able to articulate policies accordingly so that the end objective can be accomplished. References. Dormandy, Xenia. 'India's key foreign policy issues'. Belfar center for Science and International Affairs. 2008. 18 November 2008 Dossani, Rafiq & Vijaykumar, Srinidhi. 'Indian federalism and the conduct of foreign policy in border states: State participation and central accommodation since 1990'. Asia Pacific Research Center. 2005. 18 November 2008 Dye, T.R. Understanding public policy. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1972. Embassy of India. 'India's foreign policy-50 years of achievement'. 2008. 18 November 2008 Feigert, Frank B., Graebner, Norman A., Papademetriou, Demetrios G., Mangone, Gerard J., Ransom, Harry H., Wilson, Larman C., Wolfe, James H., Piper, Don C. & Terchek, Ronald J. Interaction: Foreign policy and public policy. Washington DC: American Enterprise Institute, 1983. Marquardt, James J. 'Transparency in America: Implications for the conduct of American foreign policy'. All Academia. 2006. 18 November 2008 Shah, Anup. 'Foreign policy-national interests'. Global issues. 2001. 18 November 2008 Thilumalai, M.S. & Mallikarjun, B. 'Language and culture in India's foreign policy'. Language in India1.7 (2001). 18 November 2008 Read More