Tools of Foreign Policy

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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. 

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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.

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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

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Economic aid:

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

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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.

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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.

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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

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