The Role of Image in the Formation of Foreign Policy - Essay Example

Contemporary Issues and Foreign Policy Question Roles of Image and Perception in the Formation of Foreign Policy A foreign policy is essentially an outline of the model of engagement between any two given countries. It involves the manner in which they will be relating and cooperating with each other on various issues that mutually affect them. Whenever coming up with a foreign policy the issue of image and perception plays an enormous role since they influence the major decisions that are going to be made concerning the engagement of the countries in question (Hudson, 2007). Image is critical since the manner in which an individual country portrays itself to the world will affect the kind of relationship that it will attract from the rest. For instance, a country that is shrewd in policy making that result in numerous conflicts with other nations will be regarded as hostile and thus the kind of image that it portrays to the world will be negative. It means that any country that will want to engage with this particular nation will have to do due diligence in their policy formulation to incorporate the hostility aspect that is often associated with this country (Smith, Hadfield and Dunne, 2012). In most cases, most nations that are conservative in nature will avoid any form of engagement with this government simply because of the negative image that it has previously portrayed. For instance, a country like United Kingdom is very conservative and rational in its dealings this enhances its overall image to the world as many other nations will take it as a model nation in their operations. Therefore, whenever they are formulating their policies, they will most likely incorporate the best engagement terms with this country just from the image that it portrays from its mode of governance (Stephenson, 2009). Perception is yet another defining factor of how a nation will structure its foreign policy; take an example in the event of a disaster like a terrorist attack or a tsunami that has swept across a city killing thousands of people. Several nations will stand in solidarity with the affected through sending messages of condolences or offering aid to the victims. These acts of philanthropy in such situation carry a high perception of how an individual nation feels for the other. The knowledge that a country gets from such actions significantly influences the terms of engagement between the countries especially when crafting a foreign policy regarding that nation (Stephenson, 2009). Question 2: Important Variables that Shape up Foreign Policy of Nations Numerous factors are taken into account by countries whenever they are coming up with their foreign policy. These variables are meant to align the country with its practices as well as protecting its interests in foreign countries. Some of the variables mainly considered include the following; actions of other countries, civil society, geography of the land in question, history, ideologies, media, national economy and power and influence. For this particular essay, we are going to discuss power and influence in detail of how it affects the foreign policy decisions that nations make (Hudson, 2007). Power and influence Power struggle among nations of the world has been an issue since the First World War. With increased capitalism in the modern world nations want to gain more and more military and economic power so as to be influential over the less powerful nation when critical decisions are being made so as to maintain status quo. Military and economic strength determines power of nations in the 21st century that those nations possess. With this kind of advantage, the powerful nations can do anything to protect their interest since they have the required resources to push their agenda even if it means going to war. It has been an issue of contention especially among the G12 nations as supremacy battles have ensued over time between nations regarding their foreign interest (Smith, Hadfield and Dunne, 2012). These nations structure heir foreign policies in a manner that safeguards their interest and which brings an advantage to them regardless of the effects it will have on other nations. For instance, USA deployed substantial amounts of resources in its war with Iraq back in the days in line with its foreign policy of flushing out terror elements in Iraq. The war culminated in mass fatalities of innocent civilians but that was a lesser issue to USA since their primary mandate was to get rid of terrorist hiding in Iraq who was posing as a threat to its homeland security. Conversely, the policies are often crafted in a manner that will bring safeguard the economic interest of the nation in question for instance to boost trade for its goods or strengthen ties with a country that is supplying it with essential commodities i.e. oil (Carlsnaes, 2005). A less developed nation will create its foreign policy by being influenced by power in the sense that the policy will be focussed on favourable engagement with powerful nations such as USA, UK, Russia and Germany so that it can be protected in the event of conflict with neighbouring countries or get favourable influence on global issues such as UN Security Council agendas or ICC. It is prudent that the foreign policy will ensure a steady relationship between the two nations is enhanced through trade ties in exchange for protection and influence on global matters (Smith, 2001). Question 4: Impact of Foreign Policy on Nations The kind of policies that countries adapt affects the relationships that they set up with their counterparts. Foreign policy is a sensitive issue that can adversely affect how nations relate to each other and even extend to the kind of engagement that the nations have both politically and economically. Foreign policy is the basis of friendship with global partners, if a government formulates a policy that seeks to undermine the interests or sovereignty of other countries it will lead to strained relations that will extend to all aspects of their engagement. The affected countries may withdraw all support from that nation and even reconsider their policy towards it. It has happened in the world when a government formulates adverse policies towards other nations resulting in grave consequences like; withdrawal of its citizens from the country in question, limited financial aid, closure of embassies and consulates and other actions that strains the manner in which those countries relate to each other (Smith, Hadfield and Dunne, 2012). The basis of the relationship between various countries is founded on the foreign policies of those nations. If one side decides to adopt a provocative policy, it will force the other to counter attack by reconsidering its relations with that country. For instance, Zimbabwe implemented an anti-western policy that saw the country being economically isolated by Western nations leading to an economic breakdown in the nation characterized by high inflation and lack of basic amenities for its citizens (Hudson, 2007). On the other, hand South Sudan unlike its mother country Sudan embraced an open foreign policy that was welcoming to all nations. The system saw many global partners coming on board to build the youngest nation on earth. Within the first three years from its inception, the state had witnessed massive economic development through goodwill from other nations. In a nutshell, foreign policy is a crucial element that dictates how countries will relate to each other and the kind of engagement that will be developed between them (Smith, 2001). Question 5: Security and Strategic Studies Technological advancement has resulted in the manufacture of lethal and sophisticated equipment for warfare. The development of nuclear energy used in the production of nuclear weapons is a new twist that has emerged in the global security arena. However, the world is not ready to experience the effects similar to the ones during the first and second world wars thus the need for diplomacy and international understanding is an issue that is widely studied (Smith, Hadfield and Dunne, 2012). The growing enmity and dissatisfaction between various nations cannot be solved through warfare thus the introduction of security and strategic studies is an effort that is meant to give yield to another option that can address the problem of the world regarding global understanding. The conflicts that are rocking various countries need to be explained in a diplomatic manner without nations going to the battlefield. Security and strategic studies are handy with the current political ramification in the world as it is the only true way to solve the issues in the world through diplomacy (Hudson, 2007). References Carlsnaes, W. (2005). Contemporary European foreign policy. London [u.a.: Sage. Hudson, V. M. (2007). Foreign policy analysis: Classic and contemporary theory. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Pub. Smith, K. E. (2001). Ethics and foreign policy. Cambridge [u.a.: Cambridge Univ. Press. Smith, S. A., Hadfield, A., & Dunne, T. (2012). Foreign Policy: Theories, Actors, cases. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Stephenson, A. (2009). Kennan and the Art of foreign policy. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press. Read More