Theories of Foreign Policy and International Relations (Part 1/12)

Summary

This script explores the complexities of comparative diplomacy and foreign policy, emphasizing the challenges in understanding and theorizing the diplomatic process. It traces the history of international relations from the post-World War I period, highlighting the division between realist and idealist theories. Using the Cuban Missile Crisis as a case study, it introduces Graham Allison's three models of foreign policy decision-making: rational actor, organizational process, and governmental politics. The evolution of diplomacy, rooted in the Westphalian system, underscores the continuous struggle between state sovereignty and the pursuit of global peace.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Comparative diplomacy and foreign policy involve studying the complex processes that precede diplomatic activity and foreign policy decisions.
• 🎓 The field of diplomatic studies is a branch of international relations that has historically resisted theorization due to its intricate nature.
• 📚 International relations as a discipline began in 1918, with the establishment of the first professorship in the name of Woodrow Wilson, inspired by his principles for international conduct.
• 💡 The discipline of international relations is divided into two broad camps: realists, who focus on statecraft and power projection, and idealists, who emphasize non-state actors and global understanding.
• 🤔 The formulation of foreign policy is challenging to theorize and understand due to the multitude of factors and actors involved.
• 🚀 Graham Allison's models of foreign policy formulation include the rational actor model, organizational process model, and governmental politics model, reflecting different influences on policy decisions.
• 🌟 The Cuban Missile Crisis serves as a case study where Allison's models were applied, showing the interplay between rational decision-making and organizational dynamics.
• 📜 Diplomacy has ancient roots, with examples from the Elizabethan age highlighting its long-standing importance in international relations.
• 🏛️ The Peace of Westphalia in 1648 established key principles of the modern international system, including the secular nature of international relations and state sovereignty.
• 🌍 The Westphalian system set the stage for diplomacy by recognizing the need for rules and agreements to govern transactions between states with differing interests and policies.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the course on comparative diplomacy and foreign policy?

The course focuses on case studies of the diplomatic and foreign policy processes that precede diplomatic activity, aiming to understand the complexities of these processes in the context of today's world.

Why is it challenging to theorize diplomatic studies?

Diplomatic studies are challenging to theorize because they involve complex practices that are not fully understood even by professional diplomats, and the field of international relations, where diplomatic studies is a branch, is relatively new and has resisted theorization.

When did the discipline of international relations begin, and what event marked its inception?

The discipline of international relations began in 1918 at the end of World War One, marked by the establishment of a chair in the name of Woodrow Wilson at the Versailles conference.

What are the two broad camps into which the discipline of international relations is divided?

The discipline of international relations is divided into two broad camps: realists, who believe in statecraft and the projection of power for state interests, and idealists or utopians, who propose the involvement of non-state actors and the pursuit of world peace and universal understanding.

What was the significance of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis in understanding foreign policy formulation?

The Cuban Missile Crisis was significant as it led to the proposal of three basic models of foreign policy formulation by Graham Allison: the rational actor model, the organizational process model, and the governmental politics model.

What is the rational actor model in foreign policy formulation?

The rational actor model posits that foreign policy is formed by a single decision-maker, such as a president, who acts rationally to achieve state interests, as exemplified by President Kennedy's decision-making during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

How does the organizational process model differ from the rational actor model?

The organizational process model suggests that foreign policy is not made by a single actor but is influenced by various organizational entities such as ministries, advisors, and government departments, each contributing different advice and perspectives.

What is the governmental politics model as proposed by Graham Allison?

The governmental politics model posits that foreign policy decisions may be influenced by internal governmental conflicts and politics, where decisions serve internal needs rather than addressing external threats.

Why was the presence of the Moroccan ambassador in Elizabethan England significant?

The presence of the Moroccan ambassador in Elizabethan England was significant because it demonstrated early cosmopolitan diplomacy and the seeking of alliances beyond Europe, particularly with the Islamic world, during a time when England was isolated from Catholic Europe.

What was the core agreement of the Peace of Westphalia in 1648?

The core agreement of the Peace of Westphalia was to establish a secular international system that respected the sovereignty of states, granting them legal personality and protected status within international relations.

How did Woodrow Wilson's ideas contribute to the development of public international multilateral diplomacy?

Woodrow Wilson's ideas contributed to the development of public international multilateral diplomacy by advocating for an end to secret diplomacy and the establishment of principles for building peace, leading to the formation of international organizations alongside established states.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 The Complexity of Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

The first paragraph introduces the complexities of diplomacy and foreign policy. It highlights the challenges in understanding and theorizing these processes due to the evolving and multifaceted global landscape. Diplomats themselves often struggle to articulate their roles. The discipline of international relations, which began in 1918, saw early divisions between realist and utopian schools of thought. Realists emphasized state power and interests, while idealists focused on non-state actors and the possibility of achieving global peace.

05:04

🏛️ Foreign Policy Models and Decision-Making During the Cuban Missile Crisis

This paragraph discusses Graham Allison's three models for understanding foreign policy decision-making, using the Cuban Missile Crisis as an example. The rational actor model suggests that President Kennedy made logical decisions during the crisis. The organizational process model highlights the influence of various departments, like Defense and State, in shaping decisions. The governmental politics model examines the internal conflicts and political pressures within the government, which could have influenced the president's decisions. Allison proposed that these models together help explain the complexity of foreign policy formulation.

10:06

📜 The Evolution of Diplomacy and the Treaty of Westphalia

This section dives into the history of diplomacy, tracing its origins back to early international relations between England and Morocco during the Elizabethan era. It explains how the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648 marked a turning point by establishing principles for state sovereignty and secularism, following the devastating Thirty Years' War. This treaty shaped the modern international system, emphasizing state independence and legal personality, though it has been frequently challenged throughout history.

🕊️ Diplomacy After World War I: The Legacy of Woodrow Wilson

The final paragraph explores the aftermath of World War I and the rise of multilateral diplomacy. Woodrow Wilson's vision for international peace and public diplomacy was controversial but laid the groundwork for global organizations. Despite opposition, especially within the U.S., his principles aimed to prevent further devastating conflicts. The paragraph emphasizes that modern diplomacy and international relations, influenced by Wilson's ideals, remain complex and are still subjects of debate and study today.

Keywords

💡Diplomacy

Diplomacy refers to the practice of conducting negotiations and maintaining official relations between states and international organizations. In the video, diplomacy is described as a complex process that involves the 'dark arts' of statecraft, indicating the intricate and sometimes secretive nature of international relations. The video also discusses how diplomacy has evolved over time, from the early days of international relations to the modern challenges faced by diplomats.

💡Foreign Policy

Foreign policy is the strategy that a sovereign state or a group of states uses to safeguard its national interests and to achieve its goals in the international relations setting. The video emphasizes the difficulty of formulating foreign policy due to the complexity of international relations and the need to balance state interests with global dynamics. It also touches upon the Cuban Missile Crisis as a case study where foreign policy decisions were critical.

💡Realism

Realism is a school of thought in international relations that sees the world as a self-help system where states are the primary actors and power is the currency of international politics. The video mentions realism as one of the two broad camps in international relations theory, suggesting that states act primarily to protect and project their interests, with the stronger states having more influence.

💡Idealism

Idealism, also known as utopianism, is another approach to international relations that emphasizes the role of international organizations, non-state actors, and the pursuit of global peace and cooperation. The video contrasts idealism with realism, suggesting that while realism focuses on state power, idealism looks towards broader, more cooperative solutions to international problems.

💡Cuban Missile Crisis

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day confrontation in October 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union initiated by the discovery of Soviet ballistic missile deployment in Cuba. The video uses this historical event to illustrate the complexity of foreign policy decision-making, referencing the work of academic Graham Allison, who proposed different models to understand how foreign policy is formed during such crises.

💡Rational Actor Model

The Rational Actor Model is a theory that suggests decision-makers, such as states or leaders, act rationally to maximize their benefits and minimize their costs. The video discusses this model in the context of the Cuban Missile Crisis, suggesting that President Kennedy was seen as a rational actor making critical decisions under high-stakes circumstances.

💡Organizational Process Model

The Organizational Process Model posits that foreign policy decisions are influenced by the internal dynamics and processes within the organizations that advise and support decision-makers. The video explains how President Kennedy's decision-making during the Cuban Missile Crisis was not made in isolation but was shaped by the advice and processes of various government departments and agencies.

💡Governmental Politics Model

The Governmental Politics Model is a perspective that considers how internal political struggles and bureaucratic politics within a government can affect foreign policy decisions. The video describes this model as one where the president might make decisions based on internal political considerations rather than solely on external threats, as was possibly the case during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

💡Westphalian System

The Westphalian System refers to the international order that emerged from the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, which established the concept of state sovereignty and the secular nature of international relations. The video discusses how this system has been foundational to modern diplomacy and international relations, despite facing challenges in recent times.

💡International Relations

International Relations is the academic and political study of the relations between states, as well as intergovernmental and transnational organizations. The video positions international relations as a relatively new discipline that began in the wake of World War I, with the establishment of the first professorship in the field named after Woodrow Wilson.

💡Statecraft

Statecraft refers to the art of conducting the affairs of a state, particularly with regard to its relations with other states. The video uses the term to describe the strategic and skillful aspects of diplomacy and foreign policy, suggesting that it is a practice that requires both understanding and skill to navigate the complexities of international politics.

Highlights

The course explores the complexities of the diplomatic and foreign policy processes.

Diplomacy is difficult to theorize and practice, even for professional diplomats.

International relations as a discipline began in 1918, inspired by Woodrow Wilson.

The discipline of international relations is divided into realist and idealist camps.

Realists focus on statecraft and power projection, while idealists consider non-state actors and world peace.

Foreign policy formulation is challenging to theorize and understand.

The Cuban Missile Crisis led to the proposal of three models of foreign policy formation by Graham Allison.

The rational actor model posits that a single decision-maker, like President Kennedy, can influence foreign policy.

The organizational process model suggests that foreign policy is shaped by advice from various government organizations.

The governmental politics model considers the internal politics and rivalries within government branches.

Diplomacy is an ancient practice, with records dating back to the Elizabethan age.

The Peace of Westphalia in 1648 established secular international relations and state sovereignty.

The Westphalian system has been challenged, including by recent religious conflicts.

Diplomacy is crucial for managing relations between states with differing interests and policies.

The study of diplomacy and foreign policy is more relevant today due to ongoing international challenges.

Woodrow Wilson's vision for public, multilateral diplomacy has influenced modern international relations.

Transcripts

Comparative diplomacy and foreign policy

in this course we're looking at case

studies of the diplomatic process of the

foreign policy process that precedes

diplomatic activity and this is

something which is very difficult to

understand because of the complexities

of the world today and it's also

something which is very difficult to

theorize because you're trying to

theorize or practice which is not

understood as a practice even diplomats

who are professional practitioners of

let us call them the dark arts of

diplomacy sometimes have grave

difficulties in understanding and

explaining what it is that they do to an

outside world insofar as diplomatic

Studies is a branch of the discipline of

international relations it is one of

those branches that has always resisted

theorization but international relations

itself was a very new discipline it only

really began in 1918 at the end of World

War one and then an eccentric Welsh

millionaire called David Davies inspired

by Woodrow Wilson the American president

who tried to lay down certain principles

for international conduct that the

Versailles conference after the end of

World War one established a chair in the

name of Woodrow Wilson and that became

the first chair the first professorship

of international relations instantly the

discipline became a minefield of

discussion about how to theorize

international relations and the upshot

really was a division of the discipline

into two broad camps one of which we

would call realist it basically proposed

the world was an entity that proceeded

according to state craft that depended

on the projection of power on behalf of

state interests obviously the stronger

the state the more power it had to

project the more successful that state

would be in international relations the

opposing camp basically were described

as utopians as idealists but

that said nevertheless that it didn't

just have to come down to States

International Organization citizen

organizations the idea that there could

be non-state actors in international

relations that could try to achieve

despite the interests of states some

kind of world peace some kind of

universal understanding proposed itself

as an alternative to the more acerbic

the more cynical as it were aspect of

international relations and depended on

states and the projection of their

interests but foreign policy is very

very much the formulation of exactly

that policy that represents state

interests how to do this and even if

it's very difficult to theorize foreign

policy formulation it's very very

difficult at the same time to understand

how this policy is formulated it

actually took until the 1962 Cuban

Missile Crisis involving the Soviet

Union and the United States for an

American academic could Graham Allison

to propose that our ideas of how foreign

policy might be formed can be very very

difficult to demonstrate he proposed

three basic models and the models were a

rational actor model in the case of the

Cuban must Missile Crisis was at

President Kennedy as the rational actor

who made this tremendous decision to

face up to the Soviets to put all kinds

of things at risk many people in the

world thought that we were on the brink

of a nuclear Armageddon and with the

young president pull it off would he

blink first word to the Soviet Chairman

Nikita Khrushchev blink first

but somehow somewhere in the mix has

seen the two powerful men to rational

actors we're trying to deploy some kind

of right on the edge rationality that

might or might not succeed or might

succeed instead in bringing the world to

its end but grandmother Sam also

proposed that there was an

organizational process model in other

words the president could not act by

himself he had to depend or pound has

organized ministries the advisors the

advice that they brought to his war

cabinet what kind of advice would the

Department of Defense bring what kind of

advice were the State Department bring

the National Security Adviser the CIA

etc etc how he would bring to bear quite

different forms of advice and how this

advice would be formulated in each of

these distinct cabinet organizations

what kind of processes would be at work

in each one of these separate

organizations that would finally bring

some kind of advice to the president so

he could try to act with all of these

different forms of differently organized

and gathered advice as a rational actor

and this led to Graham Allison's third

model what if this organizational

process was not clean what of all of

these different branches of government

argued what of the Department of Defense

and the State Department were very

jealous of each other they had to fight

each other to ensure that it was their

advice that was heard by the president

what of all of these different organs of

government surrounding the president

were in constant turmoil and constant

conflict and he called this the

governmental politics model what if the

president was simply making a decision

based on what was politically suitable

for his internal processes which might

not necessarily address the huge

external threat that he was facing what

of the formulation of foreign policy was

to serve internal needs

placate internal needs as opposed to

addressing external threat now in the

Cuban Missile Crisis the answer would

probably was a combination of all of

those three different models but it

means dissect

and analyzing foreign policy formulation

is very very difficult and of course the

diplomatic practice that then evolves

from the formulation with that policy

can also be very very difficult

diplomatic practice itself there's

something which is not new it's very old

in fact curiously if you look at the

archives the portraits of the

Elizabethan age if you look at 15th

century England in the days of

Shakespeare in the days of Queen

Elizabeth the first then you'll find

portraits of the Morocco to London from

Morocco the Ambassador from Morocco and

he was there precisely because Elizabeth

after Henry 8 was isolated from Catholic

Europe

she needed England needed allies in

other parts of the world and sought

allies from the Islamic world that seems

very odd that all of those many hundreds

of years ago four to five hundred years

ago there should be this cosmopolitan

backwards and forward nurse in

international relations of those days

and in fact the presence of the Islamic

world from these early times of

international diplomacy there's

something which is continued obviously

problematically right down to the

present day how to govern these kinds of

transactions between very different

forms of state facing a world and

turmoil those transactions demanded

certain rules and those rules the rules

of international statecraft the rules of

international diplomacy were very very

long and coming really it took until

1648 to what they call the Peace of

Westphalia sometimes is called the

Treaty of Westphalia but really it was a

series of treaties that was finally

brought into one coherent set of

agreements one coherent set of

principles in 1648 among the quarreling

parts of Europe this was after the

so-called 30 Years War Europe was

devastated

this was a thirty years war based on

religious differences between Catholics

and Protestants what we now know as

Germany and what we now know as parts of

the Bohemian region were all lying in

ruins the differences were so great and

the number of European actors so many

hundreds of ambassadors from hundreds of

small states convened themselves in

Westphalia to try to hammer out a new

form of international relations and it

was this new form of international

relations that finally after much

discussion and argument at Westphalia

drove the international system forward

into something that resembles what we

have today and which has come under

challenge very recently but the core of

the agreement of Westphalia was that the

international system should be secular

not religious so the religious wars of

the past the international religious

wars of the past would be a thing of

history obviously that is a concept

under challenge today with the rise of

organizations such as Islamic state for

instance but the sovereignty of States

would also be respected in other words

each state began the process of assuming

within international relations

a legal personality which gave it

certain rights and a certain protected

status this again has been honored more

in the breach than anything else

Napolean world war one world war two all

of these occasions threatened the

integrity of states states coalesced

into larger entities they divided as

NATO's the 20th century with Yugoslavia

for instance into smaller entities so

States waxed and waned but the idea of

recognizing a state and once recognized

that state having an legal personality

that was in violet and having a

sovereignty which it could maintain on

its own by itself according to its own

form that

system of government that was one of the

Heritage's of the Westphalian system but

what Advent was with all of these

independent states with all of their

internal forms of integrity what kinds

of difficulty in international relations

which made diplomacy all the more

important how do you transact

relationships between states that have

their own personality their own

institutions their own interests and

their own policies towards their

neighbors and this is where the idea of

some kind of way of avoiding simply a

clash of opposing interests entered into

diplomacy the ultimate clash of

interests was seen really in World War

one no one had predicted world what one

would start and certainly no one

predicted that it would occur in such a

savage way the technology that had

developed by them wiped out so many

millions of young people and innocent

civilians in World War one that the

carnage was something that the world

vowed to overcome leading the way was

the American President Woodrow Wilson

who wanted to put an end to secret

diplomacy he wanted the beginnings of a

public international multilateral

diplomacy and he wanted principles upon

which peace could be built this was very

controversial his own Congress refused

to give him a proper majority so that

the treaties that he proposed were not

in fact ratified by the u.s. itself but

a meant the beginnings of an

international organization which now

sits alongside established States as

part of what we might be still loosely

call the Westphalian system how this

advances what theories grow out of this

what kinds of forms of international and

national security can be derived from

this still leads to principles that

clash which means that the study of

international diplomacy the study of

foreign policy formulation

is more fascinating today than ever it

was

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