Week-11

DIPLOMATIC DIMENSION
11th week study tasks

◦ Main topics ◦ Covering topics

• Foreign Policy of Pakistan. ◦ Introduction
◦ Definition
◦ Quaid-e-Azam and Foreign Policy
◦ Constitution and Foreign Policy
◦ Determinants
◦ (Internal and External)
◦ Determinant of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy
◦ Ideological Obligation, Historical Legacy,
Geographical location, Indian threat and Economic
compulsion
◦ Fundamental Principals
Introduction
◦ One of the important aspects of the study ◦ Interdependence has been an
of International Relations and indispensable fact of international
International Politics is foreign policy. It is relations. It is a fact that the behavior of
the basis of all international relations. It is each nation has an effect on the
not possible to understand inter-state behavior of other nations.Every nation,
relations without understanding their keeping in view of its national interest,
foreign policies. Every nation has the right makes an effort to take utmost
and responsibility to secure the aims, advantage of the actions of other
objectives and aspirations of its national nations. Therefore, every nation has to
interests in international relations. As no formulate and adopt a foreign policy to
nation is completely self-sufficient and secure and serve the interest of its people
self-reliant, no nation can live without and also to achieve the goals of her
maintaining inter-state relations. national interest in international relations
and international politics. In this unit we
shall discuss various dimensions
associated with foreign policy in general.
Definition
◦ Foreign policy is how a country uses ◦ The foreign policy of Pakistan seeks to
different strategies to guide its promote the internationally recognized
relationships with other countries and norms of interstate relations, i.e. respect
international organizations. This means for sovereignty and territorial integrity of
that foreign policy is made up of all States, non-interference in the
different global issues, relationships with internal affairs of other State; non-
other countries, and even domestic aggression and peaceful settlement of
politics. disputes.
◦ This is the process of making foreign ◦
policies. This process includes three
stages: foreign policy initiation,
formulation and implementation.
MEANING OF FOREIGN POLICY
◦ Foreign policy gives a kind of direction to a state and
also suggests adequate means to adopt for the easy
◦ Foreign policy is one of the important aspects in the journey of the direction. Padelford and Lincoln pointed
field of international relations. In this globalized world it out that foreign policy is the way through which a
is not possible for any state to live in isolation and state decides “what course of actions it will generally
without maintaining inter-state relations. Therefore, to pursue in world affairs within its limits of strength and
maintain such relations with other states of the world, a realities of international environment”. Foreign policy
state has to formulate a foreign policy. In fact, inter- consists of two words ‘foreign’ which implies territorially
state relations can be understood by understanding sovereign units which exist beyond the legal
their foreign policies. A nation’s power also gets boundaries of a particular state and ‘policy’ means
enhanced by foreign policy in the international guide to an action or a set of actions intended for the
community. In simple words, foreign policy is a course realization the goals of an organization. Foreign policy
of action and inputs that a nation makes in order to involves the strategies and tactics and commitments
influence behavior of other states and to pursue its too which are taken for the fulfilment of a state’s goals
goals of national interest. It is a set of principles, and interests. On the basis of various definitions put
decisions and means which a nation adopts to secure forward by eminent scholars, it could be stated that
its goals in international relations. According to C. C. foreign policy is a strategy devised by government to
Rodee, Anderson and Christol, foreign policy implies its actions in the international field. It involves the
“formulation and implementation of a group of process of creating, making and implementing
principles which shape the behavior pattern of a state decisions and it is relational. Relational because
while negotiating with other states to protect or further foreign policy has the intention to influence the
its own interests”. behavior of other states in the international system.
MEANING OF FOREIGN POLICY
The foreign policy of nation includes:
◦ a set of principle, policies and decisions adopted and followed by a nation globally,
◦ objectives and goals of national interest which are to be achieved,
◦ for conducting international relations broad principles and decisions,
◦ assessment of achievements and losses of the nation in terms of its goals of national
interest,
◦ means or nature of action to be taken to achieve the goals or objectives of national
interest and
◦ Policies, decisions and action- programs for maintaining continuity or change in
international relations.
Quaid-e-Azam and Foreign Policy
◦ Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of Pakistan and its first Governor
General, in a broadcast talk to the people of the USA in February 1948, outlined the
following goals of Pakistan’s foreign policy:

◦ “Our foreign policy is one of friendliness and goodwill towards all the nations of the
world. We do not cherish aggressive designs against any country or nation. We believe
in the principle of honesty and fair play in national and international dealings and are
prepared to make our utmost contribution to the promotion of peace and prosperity
among the nations of the world. Pakistan will never be found lacking in extending its
material and moral support to the oppressed and suppressed peoples of the world,
and in upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter.”
Constitution of Pakistan and Foreign
Policy.
◦ The Constitution of Pakistan also lays down guidelines for the conduct of foreign policy
of the country. Article 40 of the constitution provides that:
◦ “The State shall endeavor to preserve and strengthen fraternal relations among Muslim
countries based on Islamic unity, support the common interests of the peoples of Asia,
Africa and Latin America, promote international peace and security, foster goodwill
and friendly relations among all nations and encourage the settlement of international
disputes by peaceful means.”
Various Factors
◦ A particular nation’s foreign policy is ◦ Internal factors,
influenced by various factors. Foreign
◦ External factors and
policy is the product of number of factors.
But according to circumstances the ◦ policy making factors.
determinants vary in terms of its
All these factors and its sub-divided factors
importance. Therefore, to lay down any
are discussed in detail below:
general rule regarding the relative
importance of each factor or
determinant or a scale of priorities which
the policy-makers take into account
during the time of policy formulation is
very difficult or it is impossible. In general,
the basic determinants of foreign policy
can be broadly classified into three
categories:
Internal Determinants:
◦ The significant internal or domestic determinants of foreign policy are
discussed below:
◦ Geography:
◦ It is considered to be the most stable determinant which influences foreign policy of a nation.
Geography includes the location, size, topography, state boundaries, climate, hydrography, population,
natural resources, etc. of a nation. Geography has very significant contribution while formulating foreign
policy. Size is the total landmass that a state has. It influences the psychological and operational
environment within which policy makers and the public respond. Again large size of a state cannot be
considered independent determinant, as state’s power is increased by large area if it has the capacity
to accommodate a large population and contains varied supply of natural resources. Then geostrategic
location of the state i.e. position of a state in relation to other land bodies, and to other states is more
important than the size of the state during foreign policy formulation. Climatic conditions of a state is
another geographical feature that plays a crucial role in the determination of the state’s foreign policy.
Topography includes wind, rainfall, temperature, soil, mountains, rivers, valleys, etc. which also influences
foreign policy decisions. Natural resources of a state also greatly affects foreign policy decisions.
Possession of natural resources increases bargaining capacity of a state internationally and helps in
foreign policy choices. But it must be stated that effect of geography is of intricate nature and has lost
much of its importance due to the recent development of science and technology.
◦ Smallest country Vatican city (0.17 sq. miles= o.44 sq.km)
◦ Monaco 2nd smallest (o.8 miles= 2.1 sq.km)
◦ Nauru is a 3rd smallest is a remote island in the pacific ocean
Largest Country in the world
1- Russia (17,098,246 sq. km) 45 times largest than Japan and makes up 13% of the
planet.
2- Canada (9,984,670 sq. km)
3- USA (9833517 sq. km)
Internal Determinants:
◦ History and Culture:
◦ History of a nation also has its influence on foreign policy making. In fact, political
tradition of a nation is rooted in its history and culture. The basic foreign policy
objectives is guided considerably by the historical and cultural traditions of the state. In
the realm of external relations, a nation follows a course of action which is greatly
influenced by the style and culture which the nation adopts from history. For example,
many developing countries including India have strongly taken stance for anti-
imperialism, anti-colonialism and anti-racism due to the bitter experiences of
colonialism, imperialism and racialism. Then based on Buddhist past, India adopted the
non-alignment policy and the principles of Panchsheel.
Internal Determinants:
◦ National Capacity:
◦ This is another strong determinant of foreign policy of a nation. It includes military
strength, economic development and technological progress of the nation. The
economic position of a nation in terms of GNP which enables a nation to understand its
ability to utilize its natural and human resources, also helps a nation in foreign policy
choices in turn. The highly developed countries in terms of economy and technology
and military have the advantage in gaining desired objectives in their relations with
economically and technologically weaker countries. Developing countries due to their
dependence on the developed countries for capital, technology and military research
and development loses the power to formulate an independent foreign policy. For
example, economic power of USA has brought positive leverage while economic
decline has brought negative factor in case former Soviet Union. Moreover, it is
necessary for a foreign policy to compromise with its national capacity in order to
succeed.
Internal Determinants:
◦ Public Opinion:
◦ It is another important internal factor which is not possible for the government of a state
to ignore or go against it for long. In a democratic state specially, the government
cannot dare to ignore the importance of public opinion in both domestic and foreign
policies. Due to the great achievements like information technology, mass media,
internet, telecommunications, public opinion has gained more importance in the world
at present. Public opinion in case of foreign policy sets limitations on choices of policies
and constraints in policy executions too. For example, American government was
compelled to withdraw from Vietnam after 1968 under the pressure of public opinion.
But in totalitarian or authoritarian states, public opinion hardly plays a role in policy
making.
Internal Determinants:
◦ Ideology:
◦ Ideology means a set of beliefs or interrelated ideas of a group of people about power
distribution in the society, history, proper functioning of government, economies and
particular way of life. While conducting foreign policy of states, ideology often plays a
crucial role. To achieve national interest and justification of policies, many times ideological
principles are used by states or groups of states. Sometimes ideology plays the role of a
source of international conflict too. For example, Cold War between USA and Soviet Union
occurred due to ideological difference. Social and Political Structures: The formulation of
foreign policy of a state is influenced to a great extent by the nature of political system and
the ruling elite. For example, foreign policy of a democratic state would be different from
the foreign policy of an authoritarian state. Again when there is a sudden change in the
government of a state, it leads to changes in the course of foreign policy of the state too.
For instance, in India with the changes of government from Congress led UPA to BJP led
NDA government there have been changes in foreign policy stances. Like political structure,
social factors are equally important factors for the formulation of foreign policy. A peaceful
strong society provides for a strong foreign policy than a society with tensions and with
unequal distribution of wealth. Cooperation is also essential for a foreign policy of a state.
Internal Determinants:
◦ National interest:
◦ It is the key determining factor of foreign policy of any state. It is of supreme
importance while formulating foreign policy. Behavior of states in the international field
is guided by national interest to a great extent.
External Determinants
◦ External environment is also very necessary while ◦ b) Like domestic public opinion, world public
formulating foreign policy of a state. International opinion has a strong influence on foreign policy
laws, treaties, agreements, pacts, international making. No nation can dare to go against the
and regional organizations considerably influences world public opinion or challenge it. World public
and also constraints the making of foreign policies opinion has profound impact on various issues such
of states. The external factors includes three as human rights, environment, war, peace, etc.
elements– and this is mainly due to increasing consciousness
among people.
◦ (a) World organization, (b) world public opinion,
and (c) foreign policies of other states. ◦ c) While formulating a foreign policy, the policy
makers must take into consideration the behavior
◦ a) World organizations like UNO and other of other states of the international system and also
international institutions aim at maintaining world their foreign policies. Foreign policy of a state
peace and order and International Law. UNO’s undoubtedly has the main objective of fulfilling its
activities and its agencies, IMF, World Bank and national interest, but it must also give importance
also regional organizations like SAARC, ASEAN, to the reaction of other states which matters a lot
APEC, etc. also have profound influence on the particularly of friendly states. It should be kept in
foreign policy formulation of states. mind by the policy makers while formulating
foreign policy that the foreign policy objectives
should not create hostility with other states.
Role of Policy-makers:
◦ Another major determining factor of foreign policy is the attitude of the decision and policy
makers. Foreign policy is based significantly on the leadership qualities as it determines the
strength and direction of foreign policy of a state. Foreign policy is very strongly related to
the psychological traits, the personality and predisposition of the leaders. In the formulation
of foreign policy, there is a major role played by the ruling elite and the decision makers act
in accordance with their perception of reality. The policy makers take due note of the
relevant values and relevant sector of the environment, they determine the objectives of the
foreign policy. The decision makers interpret the national interest and also perceive the
external environment while formulating foreign policy. The impact of the views and
personalities of the ruling elites on foreign policy formulation is quite natural. Foreign policy is
however not the result of the role played by a few leaders only, it also involves the interplay
of other various determinants and pressures of bureaucracy. Conclusion Thus, on the basis of
the above discussion on the determinants of foreign policy it can be concluded that it is the
product of a complex interplay of various factors. All the factors are interrelated and
interdependent which influence the making and implementation of foreign policy.
Determinants of Pakistan’s Foreign
Policy
◦ Ideological Obligation,
◦ Historical Legacy,
◦ Geographical location,
◦ Indian threat
◦ Economic compulsion
Fundamental Principles
◦ The foreign policy of Pakistan is primarily directed to the pursuit of national goals of
seeking peace and stability through international cooperation. Special emphasis is laid
on economic diplomacy to take advantages offered by the process of globalization as
also to face the challenges of the 21st century. Our foreign policy is also geared to
project the image of the country as a dynamic and moderate society. The foreign
policy of Pakistan seeks to promote the internationally recognized norms of interstate
relations, i.e. respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States, non-
interference in the internal affairs of other State; non-aggression and peaceful
settlement of disputes. Pakistan has therefore always sought to develop friendly and
cordial relations with all countries of the world.