National Interest and Foreign Policy Doctrine
Lesson 5
The concept of national interest can be defined as the goals that states pursue to maximize what is selfishly best for their country. It is a very central issue in international relations. National interest could also be defined as the principles, perceptions and practicalities that together shape a state’s foreign policies. Basically, a state’s sovereignty is its most important asset and it seeks to preserve and promote it at all costs. In his book National Interest, Joseph Frankel says that there are three analytical distinctions for national interest. The first distinction is aspirational. This usually covers broad statements of belief that encompasses the nation’s historical view and of the people’s beliefs. The second distinction is operational. This usually includes short term goals that arise from necessity or things that are included in important foreign policies. The third aspect is the basic definition of national interest. National interest calls attention to the real-world environment of international relations by emphasizing that each state exists within a larger entity that is linked to an even bigger system which also tries to advance its own political interests. This attention to the system allows policy makers in other states the opportunity to make an educated decision on their advancements in relations with external states as well as making inter-state agreements by searching for common goals. A foreign policy that has a clear statement of national interest has the advantage of staying power during overseas ventures because it allows for a clear understanding of the state’s position on specific issues. I will touch on several important political plans and doctrines that have affected the relations with rest of the world with the United States.
The idea of national superiority was evident in the belief of manifest destiny. This doctrine basically stated that America was a superior nation that was designed to expand. The nationalist
The concept of national interest can be defined as the goals that states pursue to maximize what is selfishly best for their country. It is a very central issue in international relations. National interest could also be defined as the principles, perceptions and practicalities that together shape a state’s foreign policies. Basically, a state’s sovereignty is its most important asset and it seeks to preserve and promote it at all costs. In his book National Interest, Joseph Frankel says that there are three analytical distinctions for national interest. The first distinction is aspirational. This usually covers broad statements of belief that encompasses the nation’s historical view and of the people’s beliefs. The second distinction is operational. This usually includes short term goals that arise from necessity or things that are included in important foreign policies. The third aspect is the basic definition of national interest. National interest calls attention to the real-world environment of international relations by emphasizing that each state exists within a larger entity that is linked to an even bigger system which also tries to advance its own political interests. This attention to the system allows policy makers in other states the opportunity to make an educated decision on their advancements in relations with external states as well as making inter-state agreements by searching for common goals. A foreign policy that has a clear statement of national interest has the advantage of staying power during overseas ventures because it allows for a clear understanding of the state’s position on specific issues. I will touch on several important political plans and doctrines that have affected the relations with rest of the world with the United States.
The idea of national superiority was evident in the belief of manifest destiny. This doctrine basically stated that America was a superior nation that was designed to expand. The nationalist