Master in International Relations, Diplomacy and Management
International Relations Theories: NQF Level 9 - Credits 20
Course Instructor: Charles Mubita (PhD)
FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS
Foreign Policy Analysis is the systematic study of and research into the processes
and theories of foreign policy. It is that branch of political science, which deals with
the study of and research into the processes and theories of foreign policy.
Foreign Policy Analysis involves the study of how a state makes foreign policy.
Because Foreign Policy Analysis involves the study of both international and
domestic politics, the academic discipline is located at the intersection of international
relations theory and public policy. Foreign Policy Analysis also draws upon the study
of diplomacy, war, intergovernmental organisations, and economic sanctions, each of
which are means by which a state may implement foreign policy. In academia, foreign
policy analysis is most commonly taught within the disciplines of Political Science or
Political Studies, and International Relations.
STAGES IN FOREIGN POLICY DECISION MAKING
The making of foreign policy involves a number of stages:
• Assessment of the international and domestic political environment - Foreign policy
is made and implemented within an international and domestic political context, which
must be understood by a state in order to determine the best foreign policy option.
For example, a state may need to respond to an international crisis. Pakistan has to
cultivate and maintain good relations with the members of Organisation of Islamic
Cooperation (OIC); it has to support causes of the Umma because of the dictates of
the public opinion. Similarly one reason Pakistan conducted tit for tat nuclear tests in
May 1998 following Indian nuclear tests was inter alia public pressure.
• Goal setting - A state has multiple foreign policy goals. A state must determine
which goal is affected by the international and domestic political environment at any
given time. In addition, foreign policy goals may conflict, which will require the state to
prioritise. As Pakistan’s and for that matter any state’s survival tops the agenda of its
objectives, so it has to side with the US in the wake of Post 9/11 and the latter’s
decision to fight the Taliban. Before then, Pakistan’s foreign policy goal was aligned
with the cause of the Taliban.
• Determination of policy options - A state must then determine what policy options
are available to meet the goal or goals set in light of the political environment. This
will involve an assessment of the state's capacity to implement policy options and an
assessment of the consequences of each policy option. Pakistan’s decision of
entering into Western sponsored alliances in the 50s and taking a U Turn in the wake
of 9/11 were in fact some of the policy options that Pakistani Policy makers opted for.
