Foreign policy: defining the concept

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Foreign policy has many definitions. There are common elements that feature in all of the definitions. It is important to identify these common elements in order to develop a good understanding of the concept. 

The common elements in many of the definitions of foreign policy that I have read are:

  1. national interest
  2. state actors
  3. non-state actors
  4. interaction
  5. international system 
A diagram showing the common elements

Britannica includes the common elements of 'state' and 'interaction' in their definition. Foreign policy is made up of "general objectives that guide the activities and relationships of one state in its interactions with other states". The definition from Merriam-Webster is similar: "the policy of a sovereign state in its interaction with other sovereign states". 

The word foreign is defined by WordWeb as: "of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations other then your own". Policy is defined as: "a line of argument rationalizing the course of action of a government". We can define foreign policy as a line of argument rationalizing the course of action a government takes when interacting with other states and non-state actors in the international system.

Due to globalization, we now see the growing influence of international organizations, which are classified as non-state actors. The national interest of a state can be maximize through its interaction with international organizations such as multinational corporations or international non-governmental organizations. 

PNG's economic interest in venturing into eCommerce has been maximized because Huawei Technologies has completed building the high-speed broadband backbone network that now connects most of the provinces. The government and citizens can now increase their usage of internet technologies to do business and communicate effectively in the years to come.

World Vision through the DOTS program plays a vital role in addressing the threat of tuberculosis in PNG. World Vision works in tandem with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade including the World Health Organization. The funding for the DOTS program come from another international organization known as The Global Fund.        

Mitna defines foreign policy as the strategy or approach chosen by the state to safeguard its national interests and achieve its goals in international relations. The common elements in his definition are; strategy, approach, national interest and international relations.

The common elements in the definition of foreign policy by Rosenau as cited by Mitna are; individual, representing, states and interactions. The definition talks about what individuals who represent the state do and do not do in their interaction with other individuals or groups who are part of a state.

Gibson's definition as cited by Mitna outlines that foreign policy is a well-rounded and comprehensive plan that is based on knowledge and experience to help conduct the business of government with other countries. The main aim is to protect and promote national interest. 

Another notable definition shared by Mitna is from Webber and Smith. They said foreign policy composes of goals, value sets, decisions made and actions taken by states, and national governments acting on their behalf, in the context of external relations of national societies. It constitutes an attempt to design, manage and control the foreign relations of national societies.

When going through the many definitions in Mitna's work, we can categorize foreign policy into two main categories:

  1. Foreign policy as a strategy - the Australian Foreign Policy White Paper 2017 is an example. Where they have a well documented policy which outlines what the bureaucratic organizations in charge of implementing should do. The strategy is carefully calculated to safeguard the national interest of Australia.
  2. Foreign policy as a reactive approach - decisions made on ad hoc basis in response to an issue or crisis guided by the national interest of a particular state. The decision to sign onto the Belt and Road Initiative by the prime minister of PNG in 2018 is an example.

PNG currently does not have a strategy to define its interactions with other individuals or groups representing other states. There is no detailed written document in the form of a foreign policy white paper outlining what the different bureaucratic organizations will do in order to promote and protect the national interest of the country.

Since independence, PNG has taken a reactive approach to foreign policy making. Mitna said the look north policy was a reaction to Australia's decision to reduced its aid in 1987. It was not a strategic decision outlined in a detail foreign policy document but just a statement made by Paias Wingti. 

Mitna said: "the look north policy was primarily a reactive foreign policy posture; it was more aspirational and rhetorical than determinative."

Furthermore, Mitna identified several themes after comparing the many definitions of foreign policy:

  1. All definitions agree that foreign policy is a governmental activity that is designed to be implemented outside the territorial boundaries of a state. 
  2. Foreign policy is aimed at promoting and protecting the interest of a nation. National interest is a vital part of foreign policy that influences the actions taken by a state.
  3. The state is responsible for foreign policy as it is the main actor in international relations.
  4. The notion that foreign policy is composed of goals, values, decisions and actions or a comprehensive plan, implies a rational appraisal of external risks and opportunities and states mobilising a response. 
  5. Displaying some form of power.  
The themes are similar to my common elements. The only difference is that I listed non-state actors as a common element. Mitna looked at the definition of foreign policy from a state centric realist lens. I incorporated the commercial liberalism notions of economic interdependence and cooperation. From my understanding, a developing country like PNG will need the assistance of multinational corporations or international non-governmental organizations to promote our national interest.      
 
When dissecting the various definitions of foreign policy, we can use numerous analytical methods. I prefer the 'common element' analytical method because it helps me to form a basic and clear understanding of the concept of foreign policy.  

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