The prime objective of a state is to improve the quality of life of its citizens. For this, the state formulates a comprehensive set of interdependent policies. Foreign policy is one such policy formulated to achieve the above objectives by utilizing the foreign relations of a country Multiple constants & variables determine the foreign policy of a country; This presentation attempts to explain those determinants Its word version is available on my website mentioned above. You will find many other articles and presentations there

1. Shahid Hussain Raja
Author/Consultant/Trainer
Cambridge.UK
www.shahidhussainraja.com

2.  Introduction
 What is Foreign Policy
 How Foreign Policy is Formulated
 Tools/Instruments of Foreign Policy
 Determinants of Foreign Policy
 What is National Interest?
 Components of National Interest
 What is Strategic Culture?
 Components of Strategic Culture
 What is Regional Apparatus
 Components of Regional Apparatus
 Conditions for Successful Foreign Policy
 Conclusion

3.  Prime objective of a state is to improve quality of life of its citizens. For
this, state formulates comprehensive set of interdependent policies.
 Foreign policy is one such policy formulated to achieve the above
objectives by utilising the foreign relations of a country
 Multiple constants & variables determine the foreign policy of a
country; This presentation attempts to explain those determinants
 Its word version is available at my website mentioned above. You will
find many other articles and presentations there

4.  “Foreign policy is a systematic statement of deliberately selected
national interests."- Hartmann
 “Those actions (including words) of government officials to influence
human behaviour beyond the jurisdiction of their own state."-
Schleicher
 "Foreign policy is the key element in the process by which a state
translates its broadly conceived goals and interests into concrete
courses of action to attain those objectives and preserve its interests
within the limits of its strength and the realities of the external
environment."-Padelford and Lincoln

5.  Not a formal Document; public statements, actions, refusals to take
 State policy, rather than government policy; long term national interest
 Obverse of domestic policy; same objectives but different field
 Cross-cutting; affects several domestic policies, is affected by them
 Sanctity: not an act of parliament but still has its own santity
 Different from Strategy: Only broad guidelines, strategy by diplomats
 Proactive vs Reactionary Mode: Depends upon the situation which mode

6.  No country issues a formal documented version of its foreign policy
 It issues various statements, carries out different activities and
takes/refuses to take decisions on any matter requiring attention
 Job of analysts and academia to sift out patterns of relations and
behaviour from this and describe it as the foreign policy of country
 These statements, activities & decisions are result of countless
meetings & lot of paperwork by multiple stakeholders
 This provides us clues to the formulation of foreign policy process

7.  Any issue requiring action is first examined by the concerned ministry
which solicits the opinions of other stakeholders under its control
 Ministry recommends its preferred option with cogent reasons to
cabinet through foreign office for recording its observations en route.
 Elected representatives discuss these options and suggestion of the
foreign office in select committes/cabinet meeting
 Once an option is approved, the statement is issued as the response
of the state to that issue

8.  Diplomacy-establishing/terminating diplomatic relations, bilateral
visits, summit meetings, protest notes
 Trade-access/denial to market/rsources, MFN status, FTA, Trade war
 Economic aid-grants, concessional loans, multilateral assistance
 Military aid- arms/ammunition, bases, training, joint exercises
 Threat of uses of force-powerful states use it when diplomacy fails
 Use of force-terrorism, limited war, total war

9.  Post-WWII Reconstruction- best example of success of diplomatic
means-Marshall Plan
 Creation of World Institutions-World Bank, IMF etc
 Rise of the Nonaligned Movement,
 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty,
 USA China Rapproachment
 USA-USSR Detente
 Creation of the European Union,

10.  Two World Wars- both, WW1 & WW2, were classic cases of failures of
the global diplomacy to avert bloodshed
 Dropping of Atomic Bombs-It could have been averted if diplonacy
has been effective in the last days of the war.
 Iran-IRAQ War-again the failure of the diplomats
 US Attack on Afghanistan- Taliban were willing to handover OBL
 American Attack on Iraq- Diplomacy not given chance to play its role
 Syrian Crises-Deliberate efforts to scuttle diplomatic solution

11.  Multiple factors-geograpy, history, social, economic,
internal/external
 All these can be grouped in three categories
◦ A. Dictates of National Interest
◦ B. Strategic Culture
◦ C. Regional Security Apparatus
 However, all these are inter-related and inter-dependent
 Not fixed, can change even in short term, change in one,affect others

12.  "survival—the protection of physical, political and cultural identity
against encroachments by other nation-states"-Morgenthau
 "general, long term and continuing purpose which the state, the
nation, and the government all see themselves as serving."-Charles
Lerche
 "What a nation feels to be necessary to its security and wellbeing …
National interest reflects the general and continuing ends for which a
nation acts."-Brookings Institute

13.  Territorial Integrity and National Sovereignty
 Economic Wellbeing of the People
 National Cohesion/Internal Order
 Preserving Regional Peace
 Special Issues/Disputes

14.  Ensuring credible defence mechanism against foreign aggression/
internal subversion by
◦ Maintaining a well-trained and well equipped defense forces by
ensuring reliable access to sources of defence equipment suppliers
◦ Building indigenous defense armaments capability to attain self-
sufficiency in the production of conventional arms and ammunitions
◦ Acquiring an effective nuclear capability to compensate it for the
lack of adequate strategic depth/conventional defence parity
◦ Ensuring requisite diplomatic support in case of external aggression
by cultivating friendly relations with powers that matter

15.  Improving the quality of life of its citizens by
◦ Achieving sustainable & inclusive growth whose gains are distributed equitably
among all regions of country and all the sections of the society.
◦ Access to foreign markets to ensure un-interrupted supply of essential
resources/technology/to sell its exportable surplus at competitive rates
◦ Attracting Foreign Direct investment to develop its human and natural resources,
modernization of its economy, upscaling its technology base.
◦ Obtaining foreign economic assistance from bilateral or multilateral sources to
bridge the resource gap for its accelerated economic growth

16.  Promoting national cohesion & internal stability by
◦ Acting upon the policy of non-interference and mutual cooperation
◦ Formulating shared vision of just and prosperous country enshrined in duly-
formulated with consensus & formally-approved constitution
◦ Ensuring that this shared vision is implemented by well-functioning vibrant
institutions to create stakes for everyone to feel satisfied
◦ Mainstreaming marginalized/disgruntled elements of society by ensuring good
governance & taking affirmative action where needed
◦ Strengthening democracy by promoting tolerant political culture, strengthening
democratic structures, letting democratic processes work

17.  Ensuring regional peace & security by
◦ Maintaining good relations with regional countries/immediate neighbours
◦ Eliminating regional/global terrorism by denying safe havens to terrorists within
or allowing them in neighbouring countries.
◦ Promotion of regional trade and investment by creating business/ investment
friendly environment by providing incentives and facilities
◦ Adopting common regional approch to the challenges emanating from outside the
region- globalisation, environmetal issues, climate

18.  Amicable resolution of bilateral/regional disputes (border/
water) by
◦ Peaceful means utilising diplomatic avenues to the last
◦ Utilising all the multilateral avenues available to sort them out
◦ If not resolved amicably, then be in a position to resolve them through
non-diplomatic means

19.  Mindset of ruling elite which ultimately defines the national interest
 Set of shared beliefs, assumptions, and modes of behaviour
 Common experiences & accepted narratives shape collective identity
 It formulates the objectives to be achieved and how.
 Determines appropriate strategies to accomplish national objectives.

20.  Gerography
 History
 Economy
 Society
 Polity

21.  Size-size does matter a lot if other factors present
 Location-strategic location, an asset or liability?
 Shape-does it have enough space to withstand deep foreign
aggression without capitulation
 Resources-availability of natural/human resources determine
the response capability/morale of leaders
 Geography is said to be 80% of the foreign policy of a country

22.  Historical legacies-how it came into existence, travails/traumas
 Past war experiences-failures, and successes; lessons learnt
 If a specific policy had proved to be rewarding, policy-makers would
like to try the same policy for tackling similar situations in the future.
 If a particular policy had been a failure to deal with a situation, they
would try a different policy under an identical situation in the future.

23.  Structure and nature of society, degree of conflict and harmony among
various social groups. Unity of the people-source of strength
 Unity emboldens rulers to secure objectives of national interest during the
course of international bargaining.
 Societal norms and values, what the public feels important and expressed in
clear terms,
 Once public opinion is mobilized it becomes difficult for the government to
overlook it while deciding on the issue in question.
 .

24.  Base-is economic base of the country large enough to bear the costs
of defence and costs of war for sustainable period
 Growth rate- is it growing at a respectable rate to produce enough
surplus to sustain both-public welfare and defence
 Stage of development-can we afford confrontation with developed
countries if we need access to their markets
 All the above factors would determine the thinking process of policy
makers to join or refuse to join any alliances

25.  Who are the dominant decision-makers in foreign policy formulation
determines the direction, contents and pririties of its foreign policy
 If the armed forces are calling the shots, then the foreign policy will
be heavily biased towards the security imperatives;
 If elected representatives in charge of the foreign policy process, it
will be the well being of the public interest taking precedence.
 Political structure-democratic or authoritarian? Democracy is slow but
stable; authoritarian is quick but maybe short term

26.  Current situation in the region or at global level which could,
adversely or positively, impact upon efforts of a country to safeguard
its national interest.
 Different from strategic culture which refers to the mindset of the
policy makers formed over a period of time- It is subjective
 Regional apparatus is the appreciation of the current ground
realities-what is happening at the point of time-it is objective

27.  Generally, there are three inter-dependent and inter-related
determinants of a country's regional apparatus
◦ Regional Geopolitical Dynamics
◦ Global Politics
◦ Trends & Events
 All thes are given constants or variables on which the country has no
control but must react to safeguard its national interest

28.  Formal/informal alliances among countries in region/with outsiders to
safeguard their respective national interest in any given situation
 Regional hegemonic states are interested to safeguard their national
interest which could give rise to regional conflicts.
 Border disputes, water sharing issues etc are sources of regional
conflicts.
 All regional geopolitics is not conflictual; there are marriages of
conveniences among countries to safeguard their interests

29.  Bilateral conflicts/ regional crisis invariably get exacerbated by
economic/ strategic penetration by major powers
 Global powers having global agenda, are every country's neighbour;
their mutual interaction would affect foreign policies of every country
in the region.
 It is a two-way street- major powers are also affected by the regional
conflicts in which they have become entangled in a competitive
fashion.

30.  Any significant global/regional event or trend could have serious
bearings on a country's foreign policy, directly or indirectly such as
◦ 1.Covid-19 Pandemic:
◦ 2.Global Terrorism:
◦ 3.Extremism & Militancy:
◦ 4.Islamophobia:
◦ 5.Rising Sub-nationalism in region
◦ 6.Arms race & Nuclear Proliferation
◦ 8.Climate Change:
◦ 9.Globalisation:

31.  Litmus test of success of any policy is the realisation of goals/
objectives determined under components of national interest
 Every institution formulates strategies to achieve the goals and
objectives falling in its jurisdiction
 Success depends on quality of strategies, their managerial capabilities
and the available environment,internal/ external
 Foreign policy is also subject to these rules and can be a success if
following conditions favour it

32.  Political/executive commitment-Ultimate test of any policy; how
sincere and serious are its architects/implementers
 Resources-availability of enough human and financial resources,
capable to deliver pays handsome dividends
 Internal consistency-policy must be coherent, well thought out,
options selected consistent with well researched findings
 External consistency- trying to achieve overall objectives of national
interest, not in conflict with other policies
 Size and status of the country-strong countries usually successful

33.  Foreign policy formulation is a dynamic process carried out to devise
appropriate strategies to meet regional/global challenges country is facing
 Its 1st determinant is national interest-ensuring territorial integrity, well
being of people, national cohesion, regional peace, & resolution of disputes
 Its 2nd determinant is strategic culture-the mindset of the ruling elite
formed over period of time about the weaknesses and strengths of country
 Its 3rd determinent is the regional apparatus-subjective assessment of the
objective regional/global situation and the challenges it poses to country

34.  Thank you for viewing the presentation. Hope it was helpful
 If you liked it, kindly do express it by clicking the like icon below.
 Comments will be added favour
 Its word version is available at my website
www.shahidhussainraja.com
 You can also find following other articles/presentations at this website

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 Federalism in Pakistan: Challenges & Response
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http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/water-issues-in-pakistan/
 Governance Reforms in Pakistan: Need and Content
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 Pakistan’s Strategic Culture: Determinants & Dimensions
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http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/pakistani-culture-sources-drivers/
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http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/improving-pakistans-global-image/
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 Is Pakistan a Failed State?
http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/is-pakistan-a-failed-state/
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http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/what-is-pakistan-ideology-myths-and-content/

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 Modern Nation-state System: Challenges & Prospects
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 Foreign Policy: Features, Success Factors & Challenges
(http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/foreign-policy-features-success-factors-challenges/)
 Clash of Civilisations by Huntington
http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/clash-of-civilizations-a-critique/
 Globalization: Compressing Time and Space -Part 1& 2
http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/globalization-compressing-time-and-space-part-1/
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38.  Determinants of Foreign Policy
http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/determinants-of-foreign-policy/
 Foreign Policy: Tools & Implements
http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/foreign-policy-tools-instruments/
 National Interest: Meaning & Components
http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/national-interest-meaning-components/
 World Peace: A Norm or an Aberration?
http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/world-peace-a-norm-or-an-aberration/
 End of History by Francis Fukuyama
http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/end-of-history-by-francis-fukuyama-a-critique/
 Breakup of Soviet Union: Causes & Consequences
http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/breakup-of-the-soviet-union-causes-consequences/

39.  Global Terrorism: Challenges & Response – Part 1 & 2
http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/global-terrorism-challenges-response/
http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/global-terrorism-challenges-response-part-2/
 War on Terror: Causes, Course, Costs and Consequences Part 1 & 2
http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/war-on-terror-causes-course-costs-and-consequences-part-1/
http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/war-on-terror-causes-course-costs-and-consequences-part-2/
 Arab Spring: Genesis, Causes of Failure & Lessons Learnt
http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/arab-spring-genesis-causes-of-failure-lessons-learnt/
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http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/islamophobia-genesis-challenges-response/
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http://www.shahidhussainraja.com/imf-programme-does-it-help-a-developing-country/
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 China Iran Relations: Past, Present & Future
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41. Q & A