Foreign Policy - Definition, Objectives, & Facts.
                     Foreign Policy - Definition, 
Objectives, & Facts
INTRODUCTION
Foreign policy, general objectives that guide the 
activities and relationships of one state in its 
interactions with other states. The development of 
foreign policy is influenced by domestic considerations, 
the policies or behaviour of other states, or plans to 
advance specific geopolitical designs.
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ABOUT FOREIGN POLICY
1. A set of principles, policies and decisions adopted and 
followed by the nation in international relations.
2. Objectives, goals or aims of national interest which 
are to be secured.
3. Means to be used for achieving the goals of national 
interest.
Source: www.britannica.com 3
ABOUT FOREIGN POLICY CONT.
 Broad policy principles and decisions for conducting 
international relations.
5. Assessment of the gains and failures of the nation in 
respect of its goals of national interest.
6. Policies, decisions and action-programmes for 
maintaining continuity or change or both in 
international relations.
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Elements of Foreign Policy
The foreign policy of a nation is formulated and 
implemented by its policy makers. In doing so they take 
into account the national interest of the nation, the internal 
and external environment, the national values, the foreign 
policy goals and decisions of other nations and the nature of 
international power structure. 
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Size of State Territory
The size of a state is an important factor of its Foreign 
Policy. Size influences the psychological and operational 
environment within which the foreign policy-makers and 
public respond. It includes, as Rosenau says, both human 
and non-human resources.
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Geographical Factor
Geography of a state is relatively the most permanent and 
stable factor of its foreign Policy. The topography of land, 
its fertility, climate and location are the major geographic 
factors which influence the Foreign Policy of a nation. 
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 Level and Nature of Economic 
Development
One of the main reasons why the US Foreign Policy has 
been very often successful in securing its national 
objectives, particularly in relation to the poor and 
economically lowly placed states of the world is the high 
degree of its economic development. 
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Cultural and Historical Factors
The cultural heritage and the history of a nation are again 
important and valuable factors of its Foreign Policy. The 
norms and traditions that characterize the life of the people 
of a state are highly influential factors of its foreign policy.
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Social Structure
The structure and nature of the society for which the foreign 
policy operates is also an important element. 
The nature of social groups and the degree of conflict and 
harmony that characterize their mutual relations are 
determined by the social structure. 
A society characterised by strong internal conflict and strife 
acts as a source of weakness for the foreign policy.
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