The Goldstein view: state and non-state actors
The state and non-state actors are common elements when comparing various definitions of foreign policy. That means our discussion about foreign policy will be meaningless without these two actors. “A state is a territorial entity controlled by a government and inhabited by a population. A state government answers to no higher authority; it exercises sovereignty over its territory – to make and enforce laws, to collect taxes, and so forth.” (Goldstein, 2005: p. 10), To Goldstein (ibid.) states are the most important actors in international relations. His view is supported by his statement that “a state government answers to no higher authority” and also his use of the word sovereignty. His statement relates to the realist notion that ‘states are unitary actors’ . Unitary in this context means the state is made up of different units and is bestowed with authority to act in the interest of the various units. Units compose of the population as the civil society and institutions crea