DETERMINANTS OF FOREIGN POLICY

The foreign policy of a country is influenced by so many factors Some of the important factors
which influence the foreign policy of acountry or constitute the inputs of the foreign policy
broadly speaking these factors fall into two categories, domestic and external.
Domestic Factors
1.Size.
In the first place the size of a state's territory as well as its population greatly influences its
foreign policy. Generally the leaders and people of countries with small territory and population
do not expect their country to carry great weight in international affairs. On the other hand the
leaders and people of large countries are ready to assume special responsibilities. However,
sometimes even small states which have rich resources also leave a deep impact on world
politics. For example, Britain, a small country, played leading role in world politics in the
nineteenth and early twentieth century. In our own times the oil-rich countries of the Middle
East, though small in size are playing a significant role in international politics. On the other
hand large states like Canada and Australia have not been able to pursue effective foreign policy.
Commonwealth of Independent states (CIS) which came into existence after the disintegration of
the Soviet Union, though quite large in size, is not able to play an effective role in contemporary
international relations.
2.Geography.
The geography of a country, including its fertility, climate, location in relation to their land
masses, and water-ways etc. also influence the country's foreign policy. It is a major factor in
determining self-sufficiency of a country. Generally 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 isolationist policy chiefly on
account of its geographical location. Though the importance of geographic factors is
acknowledged almost at all hands, its importance has considerably declined due to technological
and scientific developments. For 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
natural 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 two major powers on
its borders (USSR and China) deterred it from joining power blocs.
3.Culture and History.
The cultural and historical 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 share 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
influence of cultural factors is not limited to the impact of societal unity upon the formulation
and implementation of foreign policy. Equally important are the processes through which the
contents of Shared 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 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 lookout of latest knowledge and
technical know-how. Therefore they maintain intimate trade relations with their trading partners.
All this leads to intimate links between the groups and people of one country with 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 lack 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, mainly on account of
its high degree of economic development. It has made liberal use of foreign aid as an instrument
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 to 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 Russia's 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 indirect manner, by influencing other sources of foreign policy. It has been
observed that countries which possess advance technology are able to provide technical knowhow to less developed and developing nations and thus exert necessary influence on their foreign
policies. Roseau has rightly observed 'Technological changes can alter the military and economic
capabilities of a society and thus its status and role in the international system'. 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. National 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
advancement and economic development. It is well known that United States which continued to
pursue policy of isolation till the beginning 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 basis 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 country's foreign policy. Though public mood
usually follows rather than guides the foreign policy making 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 world
affairs. It may be noted that generally in an authoritarian system the public mood does not
influence the foreign policy, but in a democratic system based on political accountability
considerable weight has to be accorded to the changing public mood and sentiments.
9. Political 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 subordinate policy makers
provide the information which is perceived by the superiors, there is every possibility of a
discrepancy between the psychological and operational aspects of the foreign policy. Further,
under this system undesirable opposition can be suppressed through censorship and
promulgation of regulations. On the other hand in a country possessing a democratic structure
the citizens can freely express their opinion 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 wings have an impact on country's 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 foreign 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
conduct 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 supplying factual information on the basis of which the people take decision by
publishing specialized 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 the 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.
11. Political Accountability.
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 ignore 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 given much importance.
12. Leadership.
The leadership also plays a vital role in the shaping of a country's foreign policy. According to
Rosenau: "A leader's 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 decisions, his or her past background and the extent 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 country's foreign policy
but their role is greatly constrained 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 enjoy very limited
discretion in high governmental and non-governmental positions.
Posted 2nd July 2012 by Ken Ngeny