Unit 2—The Behavior of Nations
National Interest
Most people act out of self-interest. They base their actions on what will be to their benefit or advantage. However, not all people
define self-interest in the same way. For example, some value financial success more than anything else, so their actions reflect their
desire to increase their personal wealth. Others value religious ideals and act according to their faith. Still others value power and
seek ways to increase their authority over others.
In the space below, generate a list of at least 5-7 things about your life (or future) that you value and/or hold dear. Be prepared to
share!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
o
Similar to ____________________ self-interest

Underlies the _______________ of nations

Dictates ____________ policy
o
Consists of security, economic, and ideological _______________
o
Perceptions of ____________ interest vary from person to person and evolve over time
Foreign Policy
o
Relationship between national interests and foreign policy

National interests represent a nation’s __________, while its foreign policy consists of ____________
taken in pursuit of those __________
o
Power

Definition
A nation’s ability to _______________ the actions of other nations

What makes a nation powerful?
_______________
_______________
“____________________”

Relationship to foreign policy
Powerful nations are more likely to reach their foreign policy __________ than less powerful
nations

Is it more important for a nation to be economically or militarily powerful? Why?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Geopolitics and Foreign Policy
o
Geopolitics

o
The influence of ____________________ and ____________________ on foreign policy
Geopolitical factors

Size

_______________

Borders and ____________ (natural barriers)

Climate

Need for or control of _______________

Access to waterways/bodies of __________

Composition of ____________________

Proximity to allies and __________

Strategic _______________
Why geography?
o
Has an impact on the relations between ____________
o
Major world powers compete for…

control of strategically important _______________

access to _______________

_______________ throughout the world
Tools of Foreign Policy
Key Idea: If national interests represent a nation’s goals, and its foreign policy consists of actions taken in pursuit of those goals, then
the tools of foreign policy represent the individual actions taken that comprise the overall foreign policy plan.
o
_______________
o
_______________
o
Associated with use of _______________ force
Diplomatic Tools
o
Diplomacy

_______________ and negotiations between governments

“Tool of __________ resort”

Role of diplomats/ambassadors
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
o
Diplomatic relations

Extension of ____________________ recognition, or formal acceptance of the right of another
____________________ to represent its people

Exchange of _________________________

Opening of _______________
Who does the U.S. not recognize?
o
__________ Korea
o
__________
o
____________
o
____________*
Diplomatic Tools
o
o
Summits

Often involve world ____________ / heads of state

_______________ or multilateral
Treaties

_______________ or multilateral

Can vary in form
__________
____________________
_______ control
o
o
Alliances

____________

____________________ security’
Sanctions

Actions taken by one or more ____________ to force another nation to comply with international
_______ or to change its _______________

Examples
Withhold ____________________
Recall / expel _______________
Break off _______________
As states seek to establish diplomatic relations, they often do so by first engaging one another through dialogue and negotiation.
Often such involvement is meant to improve relations between countries. The engagement process can often lead to a period of
détente, or reduction of hostility between states. As tensions ease, nations often seek to reconcile past differences through a
process known as rapprochement, which means “to approach,” or come together with the intent of establishing (or reestablishing)
friendly relations. Rapprochement can then often lead to a normalization of relations between states, in which full diplomatic
recognition is established (or reestablished).
Economic Tools
o
____________ aid

Economic / _______________
o
__________ agreements
o
Sanctions

____________
Refusal to _______

____________
Cutoff of all __________
o
Trade ____________________

__________
Tax on ____________

__________
__________ on imports
Do Sanctions Work?
o
Are rarely _______________
o
Can backfire by isolating sanctioned countries and causing their leaders to become even more
____________________
o
May unfairly and cruelly punish _______________
o
May harm American ____________________ by cutting the markets in which they can sell their products
Use of Military Force
o
Meant to ____________
o
“Tool of _______ resort”
Numerous Options
o
Show of ____________

The strategic positioning of military forces around the __________
o
Naval _______________
o
__________ operations

____________________ activities
Secret / _______________

____________________ activities
Meant to undermine / _______________ a government

_______________
____________
o
Troop mobilization / ____________________
o
Air strikes / _______________ campaign
o
Establishment of a ‘____________________’
o
Declaration of _____

Limited versus __________