UNIT 3 AOS 2 National interests Flashcards
National security
This is the national interest of a state to ensure it maintains sovereignty.
Traditionally this term refers to the protection of a state’s borders from intruders but has evolved to include other forms of security, such as resource and environmental security, that are necessary for a state to maintain sovereignty.
Economic prosperity
The national interest of economic prosperity is important to a state as it indicates whether a state can weather international economic instability as well as protects and builds the wealth and welfare of its citizens.
If a state is economically prosperous, it encourages other states to develop relationships with them and bolsters state sovereignty.
Regional relationships
Positive regional relationships are an important national interest to a state as they ensure its neighbors will not behave in a hostile manner and thus threaten state sovereignty.
Alliances with other likeminded neighbors may help the success of other national interests. However, a state may consider other national interests more important than positive regional relationships if they better achieve the aims of a state.
International standing
The international standing of a state is an important national interest as it influences the power a state has in global politics.
Other national interests’ impact on international standing as well as a state’s role and recognition in intergovernmental organizations and as a proponent of international law. If a state has a poor international standing it may threaten their sovereignty.
