Tools of Foreign Policy

\ Foreign policy: general objectives that guide the activities and relationships of one state in its interactions

Propaganda: One sided or exaggerated information that is used by a nation to gain support, both internationally and nationally, for its policies or to discredit the policies of an adversary.

Diplomacy: Formal contact between nations.

Diplomatic recognition: Political act (with legal consequences) whereby a state acknowledges an act or status or another state or government in control of a state (may be also a recognized state)
Summit- a meeting or conference of heads of state
Detente: the relaxation of tensions between hostile nations

Ambassadors: highest ranking diplomats. They represent the opinions and policies of their home country to other nations.

Economic policy:

IGO: an intergovernmental organization is a group of members (sovereign, states, countries) working together on issues of mutual self-interest.

NGO: an organization that isn’t aligned with a government

non profit, voluntary, citizens group
local, national, or international

Scientific exchange: group of scientists travel from one nation to another to share information

Cultural exchange: art exhibits, dance troupes, and musicians can travel to other nations to provide exposure to different cultures.

\ Restricting trade relations:

to protect a domestic industry from foreign competition or to discriminate against products exported by another nation
Tariffs are taxes on imports
Quotas set limits on the amount of goods that can be imported

\ Economic aid:

Usually cash grants or loans from one nation to another
Can also include food, farming equipment, or technical assistance

\ Military aid:

cash grants for developing a stronger defense, shipments of weapons, training programs, or military advisors.
Used to help friendly governments stay in power or to aid potential allies in their efforts to overthrow a hostile government.

\ Military Force:

Used to gain territory, reclaim previously lost land, extend power over another group of people, spread a religion, or settle disputes.
used only if a nation perceives that there are no other alternatives
can be used as warnings, to challenge the nation’s sovereignty, direct threats to a nation’s security, or acts of war
consequences of military force

Deterrence: a US defense policy that uses the threat of military attack to discourage enemy hostility

Show of strength

Alliance: multilateral agreements among nations to protect each other in case of attack by an adversary.

\ Boycott and Sanctions:

Most severe form of action that can be taken against a nation besides military action
Can be considered acts of war
An action taken by one or more nations to force another nation to comply with international law or to change its policies.
Boycott: A decision by one nation or group of nations to abstain from buying certain goods to try to force a particular nation to change its policies.
Sanction: political measures such as excluding a nation from participating in an international organization or economic measures such as denying loans to a nation