DETERMINANTS OF FOREIGN POLICY

Those factors that influence and determine the foreign policy of a country
are its determinants. Some of these factors are static or of unchanging
nature whereas others are in a state of flux and their dynamics are
continually adjusted to the changing circumstances.

EXTERNAL DETERMINANTS
1) Power Structure
The modern state system has been in existence since 1648 Treaty of
Westphalia. The modern state system includes major, middling, and small
powers. All states conduct their own foreign policies. One primary objective
of each county's foreign policy is to maintain its own political independence
and security. In the traditional multi-polar system, it was easier for states to
switch sides and gain maximum gains from all sides. Thus Italy used this skill
deftly and switched sides during the height of World War I to gain its share in
the
post
war
colonial
arrangement.
During the cold war, the countries of the Eastern Europe under the security
umbrella of the Warsaw Pact were under the direct influence of the former
Soviet Union. And the countries of the Western Europe together with the US
and Canada entered into an alliance known as North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO). The states were faithfully wedded to their respective
alliances, and any signs of freedom were strictly checked by the two
superpowers. The demise of the Soviet Union and the advent of the uni-polar
world has its own system dynamics. Bushs either with us or against us sort
of declaration made many states from the margins of the system to come
forward and play effective roles in the so- called Global War on Terrorism
(GWOT). Pakistan was to take a smart strategic U-turn in order to be able to
take advantage from the changed international structure. Every type of
power structure at international level has its own particular dynamics and
that has its impact on the foreign policies of the states.
2) International Organizations
The role and importance of international institutions as instruments of states
foreign policies, and the political, military, functional, economic and
humanitarian roles played principally by the United Nations in international
relations cannot be overestimated. These international organizations to
varying degrees serve as modifiers of state behaviour and as independent
actors in their own right. They have profound impact on the determination of

the foreign policy of a state. No state can decide and conduct its policy
arbitrarily to the detriment of other states. UN and other multilateral forums
come to the rescue of the aggressed state. Usually sanctions are imposed
which in some cases become very effective provided the international
community imposes them sincerely.
3) World Public Opinion
Similarly the state, while formulating its foreign policy has to take into
account the world public opinion. World public opinion is more effective when
it is supported by the domestic public opinion of the given state. Israel
usually flouts agreements and canons of international law with a least regard
for them, but in the process it has lost international goodwill. Power is not
about military hardware or nukes and ammunitions; its equally important
component is a states prestige known as soft power . It is well known that
the US administration was made to effect changes in its Vietnam policy
largely due to hostile world public opinion.
4) Alliances
Alliances concluded by various states also influence their foreign policy.
During the decade of fifties when Pakistan was known as the most allied ally
of the United States, Pakistan had to exercise its vote against the Peoples
Republic of China blocking its entry into the world forum. China on its part
did understand Pakistans compulsions and didnt entertain any ill-will
against Pakistan. During the height of cold war, neither the member of the
Warsaw Pact nor those of NATO could pursue any independent foreign
policy.

INTERNAL DETERMINANTS
1.Historical Influence
The foreign policy of a country is to a large extent the legacy of its history.
Each country possesses an individuality of its own, which is the outcome of
its historical and geographical configuration. The cultural and historical
traditions go a long way in molding the foreign policy of a state. To a large
extent the approach of a nation to the foreign problems is determined by its
traditional values and beliefs which have emerged on a period of history.
Though the leadership can make modifications in these values and beliefs,
yet it cannot go very far.
Pakistans apprehensions of India and Indias those of China are the product
of their historical traditions. India and China have to some extent shelved

their historical mistrust in order to pave ground for their mutual trade. It is
believed by the Complex Interdependence theorists that in the present age
of interdependence, it is highly improbable that the two countries would go
to war. They apply the same formula to India and Pakistan whereby increased
trade volume and interdependence would raise the stakes of both states in
the maintenance of peace. When they would refrain from creating any war
mania for some time, that would decrease trust deficit between the two
nuclear armed neighbors which in turn may help them to resolve their
outstanding issues down the road.
However, this is only one viewpoint. There are analyses and views, mostly on
Pakistani side, that no trust could be build up unless and until both the
parties are able to make any substantial movement towards the resolution of
their outstanding issues. They therefore consider Confidence Building
Measures (CBMs) a useless tactic unless there is a real progress on the count
of issues resolution.

2.Natonal factor
a) Size and Geography
The geopolitical location of a state is one of the external determinants on its
foreign policy. It matters where on the globe a country is located. It matters
whether the country has natural frontiers: that is whether it is protected by
oceans, high mountains, or deserts. It matters who one's neighbors are and
whether a given country is territorially large, populous, affluent, and wellgoverned. Geographical factors exercise a permanent and paramount
influence on the foreign policy of a country.
Dr Eayers has rightly said,
Pacts may be broken, treaties unilaterally denounced, but geography holds
its victims fast
It may, however, be noted that when we speak of the impact of geography
on the foreign policy of a country, we keep in mind the extent of its territory,
its general configuration, the texture of the soil, climatic conditions, rainfall,
waterways and location of the country vis--vis the other powers.
Geographical location has exercised a great impact on the foreign policy of
Britain. Similarly USA could follow a policy of complete isolation mainly
because of her geographical location. The foreign policy of France has been
determined by the presence of Germany on her border, while that of Nepal
by its proximity to India and Peoples Republic of China.
b) Natural Resources

The natural resources of a country also profoundly influence the

determination of a foreign policy. The natural resources apart from minerals,
gas and water resources also include the food grain. During the present
century, food has tended to be an important factor in the determination of a
countrys foreign policy. It is said that during the Second World War the
foreign and military policy of Germany was to a large extent, determined by
her limited food reserves. In the post World War II, Oil diplomacy in the
Middle East has greatly determined foreign policy not only of the states of
the region, but also of the entire world.
We can say that the natural resources and raw material exercise
considerable influence upon the foreign policy of a country. In the absence of
a sound industrial complex, they can make a state vulnerable to foreign
intervention, but with their domestic consumption and indigenous input, they
can be a real boon for any country. In such a case, the state would pursue its
foreign policy more confidently and assertively.
c) Economic Development
The level of economic development attained by a country has deep impact
on the foreign policy of the state. One of the middle range objectives of the
foreign policy of a state is to expand, diversify and strengthen its economic
relations with the external world. An increased economic activity warrants
that the surplus goods, raw material and services of the country have
markets outside the country and that the state may ensure the procurement
of the needed products, raw material and services at economical rates.
Similarly Pakistan is always concerned about securing markets for its raw
material, cotton, rice, leather products, sports ware and cotton products. The
level of economic development has a direct relationship with the life
standard of the citizens of the given country.
d) Role of Media & Think-tanks
In modern times the role of media in determining the Foreign Policy of a state
cannot be overestimated. Media has to faithfully highlight the issues of
public concern; doing so it serves both as a corrective machine as well as a
guide for the policy makers. Usually former diplomats, strategists, and
military generals take part in productive discussion on media. The
Government and Foreign Office have to take the input from media and thinktanks very seriously. In fact, in the US, the think-tanks and media play a very
significant role in the orientation of its foreign policy .
e) Industrial Development
The industrial development of a state also plays an important role in

determining its foreign policy. This is evident from the fact that industrially
developed countries like USA, Russia, Japan, Germany, France and England
are able to exercise great influence in the international affairs. Realizing the
importance of this factor in adding to the strength and prestige of a country
even the underdeveloped and agricultural countries are keen to get
industrialized as quickly as possible.
Personal factors:
a) Good Governance and Leadership
The government and the leadership play an important role in determining
the role of their country, which it is going to play in the international field. In
fact, it is government and leadership, which convert the potential power of a
state into actual power. The quality of government depends upon a number
of factors, such as support extended to it by the population, the organization
of the government, the quality of persons serving the government,
willingness of the government to take the aspirations of the general people
into account etc.
b) Quality of Diplomacy
And last but not the least, quality of diplomacy of a country exercises
profound influence upon the foreign policy of country. History of inter-state
relations is full of examples where the countries succeeded in attaining their
objectives through wise diplomacy, even though they lack other elements of
power. A good diplomat must have a clear concept and perception of the
national goals and the will of their attainment. Plus he should be skillful
enough to use the tools of statecraft for the realization of the national
objectives. i.g; Bhutto while launching campaign against President Ayub
claimed that the President actually lost what Pakistan had won in the
battlefield while referring to the Tashkent Agreement between Pakistan and
India brokered by the former Soviet Union. Here Indian diplomacy was equal
to the task. But a few years later in the wake of the dismemberment of
Pakistan, it was none other than Bhutto himself who excelled in diplomatic
skills at Simla.
10. Political Organization
Political organizations and institutions of the country also determine the
foreign policy of country. Usually, democracies are not very prone to war, at
least within themselves . There is some evidence to suggest that
democracies do not usually go to war against each other. As the world in
general becomes more democratic, it is hoped that war will be replaced with
peaceful methods of conflict resolution. However, dictatorships faced with
the problem of legitimacy at home and abroad usually create issues out of

non-issues in order to justify the continuation of their illegal rule. Hitler and
Mussolini embarked upon the path of international conquests because they
were to deliver to the masses very quickly otherwise their citizens would
have been disillusioned. Saddam Hussain failing to arrest problems inside the
country had to lay claims on Kuwait in 1990.
Conclusion
It is clear from the above discussion that foreign policy of a country is
determined by a number of factors. As most of these factors are of changing
nature, so with their evolution or transformation, foreign policies of countries
also keep on changing. In addition to these factors, certain developments at
the international level such as development of thermo-nuclear technology,
onset of cold war and military alliances, elimination of colonialism have
exercised profound influence on the foreign policies of different countries.
The creation of United Nations has also left a mark on the foreign policies of
different countries. The end of cold war influenced the states in every region
of the world to modify their foreign policies in according with the changing
dynamics of the world. Post 9/11 has a similar effect on the states. Pakistan
had to make very important strategic readjustments in the wake of these
terrorist attacks on the world trade centre and Pentagon. In short it can be
said that apart from the national determinants of foreign policy, international
environment also plays an important role in the formulation and orientation
of the foreign policy of a state.