National Interest Flashcards
National interest
- People who govern democratic communities and nations make decisions based on interests of their community/nation
- People want certain benefits for themselves and their communities, these benefits are known as their national interest
- Economic prosperity, Safety and security, Values and beliefs
Economic Prosperity
- Stable employment
- Decent standard of living
- Pass laws to protect workers
- Trade treaties
Safety and Security
- Laws to protect citizens
- Secure borders
- Personal safety
- Peaceful conflict resolution (UN)
Values and Beliefs
- Acts to protect and respect shared worldviews, cultures, traditions, etc of citizens
- Culture
- Protect diversity
- Language
National Interests can change due to:
- Natural disasters
- Proposed change in laws
- Changing opinions of citizens
- Conflict between states
Canada as Peacekeepers
- Armed forces that maintain peace by keeping enemies apart until a crisis is resolved through diplomacy and negotiation
Canada as Peacemakers
- Allow soldiers to use force for reasons other than self-defense
Sovereignity
- Political authority to control one’s own affairs
- Four pillars: political, economic, environmental, social
Self-determination
All peoples, based on the respect for the rights and freedoms, have the right to determine their own political status and freely pursue their economic, socia and cultural development
National Policy
- A policy is a plan of action deliberately chosen to guide future decisions
- Countries need to develop foreign and domestic policies
Domestic Policy
Guides decisions of what to do WITHIN a country
Ex. law enforcement, education, healthcare, labor
Foreign policy
Guides decisions about relationship with other countries
Ex. International Trade, peacekeeping, international security
Tools of Foreign policy
- Tools of intelligence and information
- Tools of Diplomacy
- Tools of aid, economic development and trade
- Tools of military influence, power and force
Tools of intelligence and information
- information and intelligence gathering
- spread of information, analysis, ideas, propaganda, and misinformation
Tools of Diplomacy
- Cultural and scientific exchanges
- Offering diplomatic recognition
- Expelling/recalling diplomats
- Holding or withdrawing from diplomatic exchanges and discussions
- Joining or withdrawing from negotiations, treaties
- Joining/withdrawing alliances
