Actors and structures of FP Flashcards
Three levels of analysis
- International system
Using IR theories to understand how a state reacts to the international environment - State
Using FP actors to see what actors take part in decision-making processes - Individuals
Psychology and ideas of religious leaders/leader that is in charge of making decisions
Foreign policy is formulated according to…
The national interest
- What is it
- Who defines it
- Is it permanent or changing
FP making is influenced by
- Regime type
- Political system
- Division of powers
- Government structure
- Bureaucratic policies
Democracies; three separations of power
- Executive
- Government(head of state, cabinet, departments, and agencies
- Makes policies: passes decrees and other decisions prepares bills that are sent to parliament to become legislation - Legislative power
- Parliament (lower and upper house)
- Makes laws: debates and passes new legislation, democratic control of the government by opposition - Judicial power
- courts and judges
- controls that the state is acting according to the constitution and laws
Three democratic systems
- Presidential system
- Parliamentary system
- Semi-presidential system
Presidential system
- Head of state=head of government
- President is elected by voters
- US and Latin America
Parliamentary system
- Head of state=King/president that is not elected by citizens and usually act as a symbol
- Head of government=Prime Minister
- Voters elect a parliament, parliament elects PM
- UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Norway
Semi-Presidential system
- Head of state=president elected by voters
- Head of government= Prime Minister appointed by the president with the agreement of parliament
Four regime types
- Totalitarian
- Authoritarian
- Semi-Authoritarian/hybrid regime/competitive totalitarianism
- Liberal Democracy
Totalitarian
- No real competition for power
- The government tries to control all areas of social life
Authoritarian
- No real competition for power
- Some areas of social life are not controlled by the government
Semi-Autoritarian/hybrid regime/competitive
- Some competition for power
- The government uses state resources and/or limits freedom of speech in order to stay in power
Liberal democracy
- Free and fair competition for power
- Checks and balances: rule of law
- Civil and political rights and freedom
Ministry of Foreign Affairs functions
- Routine information gathering
- Policy-making
- Institutional memory
Ministry of Foreign affair challenges
-Diplomats are seen as over-generalists and lack technical expertise
-Other departments are involved in FP
Decreasing budgets
Lack of domestic constituency(public support)
