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Foreign Policy - IR

This document discusses foreign policy determinants and decision-making processes. It outlines Graham Allison's three models of foreign policy decision making: 1) The Rational Actor Model which assumes decision-makers rationally evaluate costs/benefits to choose the best option. 2) The Organizational Process Model where objectives are set and standard operating procedures are followed, requiring consultation with different organizations. 3) The Bureaucratic Model where key individuals can greatly influence decisions based on their own priorities and organizational positions. Different government institutions may have conflicting interests that must be negotiated.

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Ishfaq Ahmad
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552 views

Foreign Policy - IR

This document discusses foreign policy determinants and decision-making processes. It outlines Graham Allison's three models of foreign policy decision making: 1) The Rational Actor Model which assumes decision-makers rationally evaluate costs/benefits to choose the best option. 2) The Organizational Process Model where objectives are set and standard operating procedures are followed, requiring consultation with different organizations. 3) The Bureaucratic Model where key individuals can greatly influence decisions based on their own priorities and organizational positions. Different government institutions may have conflicting interests that must be negotiated.

Uploaded by

Ishfaq Ahmad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

LECTURE -3
Foreign Policy: Determinants,
Decision making and analysis
National interest;
power ;foreign policy
Foreign Policy Definition
“Strategies that governments use to guide their
actions in the international arena; the actions
state leaders decide to pursue and protect
national interest in given situations.”

• FP is designed to protect and promote the


national interest abroad.
Foreign Policy Determinants
External Factors;
• A country’s position in power structure

• Standing in International Organizations

• Geographic Location

• World public opinion/Public Perception

• Alliances
Internal Factors;

• Military Power

• Type of Government and leadership

• Size, Geography, and resources.

• Quality of Diplomacy

• Role of Media and Think Tanks


Determinants of PAKISTAN’s Foreign
Policy
• Mostly same as previously mentioned
determinants
• + Rival India
• + kashmir Issue
• + Afghanistan: border sidpute and instability
Foreign policy decision making
Process
• 1 Assessment of the international and domestic
political environment.

• 2 Goal setting.

• 3 Determination of policy options.

• 4 Formal decision making process.

• 5 Implementation of chosen policy option.


Foreign Policy Decision Making:
Graham Allison’s
Three models
Foreign Policy Decision Making:
Graham Allison’sThree models
Graham Allison’s Three models on FP
1- Rational Actor Model
• “Decision maker set goals,
• Evaluate their relative importance,
• Calculate the cost and benefits for each possible course of
action,
• Choose the one with highest benefits and lowest cost”.
Applicable in democratic gvt. or dictatorship
Pakistan’s entry in War on terror as a non-NATO ally
with USA was a rational attempt taken by a dictator.
Objectives of Pakistan at that time :
• To save nuclear status
• To prevent India from becoming preferred ally in Afghanistan
• We wanted to end our isolation( common wealth membership suspend, diplomatic
isolation)
• To protect Pakistan from a label of terror sponsoring state ( as pak was ally of Taliban at
that time)
• To prevent our self from sanction
Graham Allison’s Three models on FP
Merits of RAM.
• Useful when no or little information about the
enemy is available.
• Useful in crisis situation – little time for
discussions
Demerits of RAM.
• Clash of interests
• Tensions amongst Bureaucratic Agencies (govt
institutions).
Graham Allison’s Three models on FP
2 - Organizational Process Model (OPM)– decisions
are made by organizations
Mostly democracy uses it:
• Shows the pressures that organizations place on decision
Maker’s choices.
• Model assumes objectives are already set.
• SOPs are followed-consultation is taken.
• SOPs enhance efficiency.

• Saudi Arabi asked for troops to fight in yemen in 2015 (


surveys, military, intelligence, media and all other sections
of country were taken on-board )
Graham Allison’s Three models on FP
Merits of OPM
• Decision makers respond based on the SOPs.
• Highlights the domestic influences on FP.
• Shows the relationship among other government
institutions.
Demerits of OPM
• Time consuming. All organization are taken on
board’ so it is time consuming
• Gives little options to the rulers.
Graham Allison’s Three models on FP
(3) Bureaucratic Model/ Govt. Bargaining Model.
• Key individuals in critical positions have great influence.
• They have different priorities.
• They have different organizational positions and
commitments:

• In 1992, the Japanese government : import of sushi from


California
• Agricultural ministry opposed this decision( to protect the
interests of farmers) while foreign ministry supported it ( to
promote relation with USA)
• Finally decision of foreign ministry got weight.
Merits of BM

• Helps explain why individuals are at times


working for their self interest.

• Also explains why policy sometimes looks


irrational.

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