To what extent do national interest and foreign policy shape each other?
Key Terms: national interest, peacekeepers, peacemaking, policy, domestic policy, foreign policy, GDP
How are nationalism and national interest related?
Think about criteria you might use to decide on actions that will best serve your interests now - and in the future. To do this, you probably need to explore various factors and ask yourself questions such as the following;
Sometimes, figuring out the course of action that is in your best interests is a matter of personal choice. When, for example, you selected the courses you would take this year, was your decision based on whether you enjoy the subjects or on whether the subjects would help you prepare for your future career? Or on other criteria?
Your interests are not always independent of those of others. You are a member of a family and a community. You cannot always make decisions based only on what will benefit you. You may need to consider the interests of your family and your community. In choosing, for example, the educational path that will best prepare you for a future career, your decision about what is in your own interest may be affected by your family's financial resources, the needs of your wider community, or your need for financial security.
- How important is my physical safety and personal security?
- How important is my economic well-being and future prosperity?
- How important are my values, beliefs, and culture?
Sometimes, figuring out the course of action that is in your best interests is a matter of personal choice. When, for example, you selected the courses you would take this year, was your decision based on whether you enjoy the subjects or on whether the subjects would help you prepare for your future career? Or on other criteria?
Your interests are not always independent of those of others. You are a member of a family and a community. You cannot always make decisions based only on what will benefit you. You may need to consider the interests of your family and your community. In choosing, for example, the educational path that will best prepare you for a future career, your decision about what is in your own interest may be affected by your family's financial resources, the needs of your wider community, or your need for financial security.
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3 Aspects of National Interest
Economic Prosperity
This includes stable employment and a decent standard of living. Governments acting in the national interest try to provide these economic benefits in various ways. They may, for example, pass laws ensuring that citizens are not exploited in the workplace. They may also enter into trade treaties with other nations.
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Security and Safety
Measures to maintain national security and physical protection include laws that protect citizens within the country, as well as secure borders that can be defended against intruders. Governments acting in the national interest try to ensure that personal safety of citizens, peacefully resolve differences with other countries, and control who enters the country.
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Beliefs and Values
These include affirming and promoting citizen's values, beliefs, and culture. Governments acting in the national interest try, for example, to safeguard and respect the shared worldviews, ways of life, traditions, and languages of their citizens.
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Changing and Differing Views of National Interest
- Opinions on what is in the national interest differ among people in a nation
- National interest are not static - they often change with changing pressures within the nation and outside of its borders (conflict)
- People decide on what is the national interest based on their understanding of nation and national identity
Peacekeeping vs. Peacemaking
- Many Canadians take pride in Canada’s reputation as a nation of peacekeeping (armed forces that maintain peace by keeping enemies apart until a crisis can be resolved through diplomacy and negotiation. Therefore Canadians who believe in Canada’s role as peacekeeper believe our national interests should be based on promoting peace in the world.
- Other Canadians believe that Canada’s role should shift to peacemaking – which allows soldiers to use force for reasons other than self-defense (Afghanistan).
China
China believes that a strong military is essential (safety and security) and is meant to deter any hostile attempts towards China's national interest.
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Kofi Annan - Former UN Secretary General
Kofi believes that the interdependence of nations in today's globalized world has expanded the meaning of national interest.
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John Spritzler - Harvard Scientist
John believes that there is no such thing as a common national interest - even within a country.
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Domestic Policy
Guides decisions about what to do within the country. In Canada, domestic policy may guide decisions about changing federal laws, settling Aboriginal land claims, and spending tax revenues.
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Foreign Policy
Guides decisions about official relations with other countries. Foreign policy, which is often called external relations or foreign affairs, may involve co-operating with international organizations such as the United Nations, signing treaties, establishing trade relations with foreign states, and taking actions on human rights, world health, and environmental issues.
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The Cost of National Interest?
Beijing Summer 2008
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Sochi Winter 2014
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2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games - Your Call!!
Using the iPads or other technology offered to you during this lesson, investigate the allure of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. What did Canada have to gain from the Vancouver Olympics? What national interests were sought after? At what cost did Canada achieve their national interest? Investigate this event through both a positive and negative lens. When one party gains, there is always another that loses.