DETERMINANTS/ELEMENTS OF FOREIGN POLICY

There are various elements of foreign policy that are inherently reflected in foreign policy. These
elements are:

 Size of State Territory: how large or small a state is more times than not bound to determine
and greatly influence its foreign policy. Large states tend to have a foreign policy inclined
towards increasing their influence in the international system. This is seen in the foreign policy
inclinations of relatively large states such as China, Brazil, and the United States. These
countries tend to seek greater influence and power in the international system. This said
however, this is not the norm as some large states such as Canada and Australia have remained
quite passive and maintained a relatively low profile in the international system. It is also true
that some small countries have also explored a foreign policy of expanding their influence. This
can be achieved despite having a smaller size due to various reasons such as strategic geographic
location or possession of rare natural resources. This is the case with the small oil-producing
countries of the Middle East.
 Geographical Factor: geography is a major determinant of foreign policy. The topography of
the land, its fertility, climate, and location are the major geographic factors that influence the
Foreign Policy of a nation. Strategic location boosts the confidence of states as they pursue
foreign policy goals. The natural resources of a state are also part of the geography of a state and
they too determine its foreign policy. For example, Egypt’s strategic location at the Suez Canal
has given it a chance to gain more influence in international relations than its African
counterparts. Similarly, oil deposits in Middle Eastern counties such as Jordan has given them
more influence in international relations.
 Level and Nature of Economic Development: economics plays an important role in
international relations. It is noted in the study of international relations that by having greater
economic capabilities, the states with the strongest economies in the world exert the most
influence. This is largely contributed by the capacity of such states to deploy their huge
economic muscle in pursuance of foreign policy objectives. By having relatively larger
economies, developed countries tend to have a more imperial foreign policy since they can use
their economic might to either win allies through economic favors such as foreign aid or
intimidate rivals through means such as trade tariffs. The role of economic development in
determining a state’s foreign policy can describe why the strongest economy in the world, the
United States, bears the greatest influence in international relations. This also explains the rise of
China’s diplomatic influence with its rise economically.
 Cultural and Historical Factors: cultural and historical factors play a major role in determining
a state’s foreign policy in various ways. For starters, the cultural homogeneity of a state
determines if the state is united at home to be able to present a united front in the international
arena. Disunity would result in a weak foreign policy and this may at times explain some
weaknesses in African foreign policy. The history between states may also influence the
relationship between them. For example, the longstanding history of cooperation between the
United States and the United Kingdom has made them develop a ‘special relationship’ while the
history of suspicion between Middle Eastern countries and Israel has created a tense relationship
between them. Cultural similarities and differences also determine foreign policy. For example,
most Islamic states share a brotherly relationship as a consequence of shared Muslim culture.
 Leaders: state leaders often-times have immense influence over a state’s foreign policy and thus
tend to influence it by a lot. The attitudes, skills, experiences, and preferences of a leader largely
determine the strategies used by leaders to attain foreign policy objectives. For example, the fact
of President Trump’s background as a businessman, the foreign policy objectives and strategies
of his administration were inclined more to matters of trade relations and the economy.
 Ideology: the ideologies prescribed by a state greatly influence its foreign policy. This is easily
explained through the Cold War period when communist states had cordial relations with each
other but treated capitalist states with suspicion.
 Nature of the International system. Whether the international system is unipolar, bipolar, or
multipolar also influences the foreign policy of states. States make necessary adjustments to their
foreign policies to help them fit and survive within the constraints imposed by the nature of the
international system. For example, it would be impossible for Soviet-leaning states to initiate a
relationship with the United States during the cold war when the international system was
bipolar. However, after the fall of the Soviet Union and a return to uni-polarity, such
relationships between former Soviet allies and the USA slowly began to arise.
 Public opinion: public opinion greatly affects foreign policy decisions, especially in democratic
states. Popular decisions are implemented even against the will of the government of the day
while unpopular decisions are reconsidered and avoided. This is true with the USA’s refusal to
join the League of Nations because it was largely against popular public opinion.
 Internal factors: foreign policy is often thought of as an extension or reflection of domestic
policy. The underlying domestic environment such as the influence of political parties, lobby
groups, state departments, and opposition groups also largely affects a state’s foreign policy.