A country's foreign policy can drive economic blockades.
Foreign policy is the set of measures designed and applied by a government to defend the interests of its country in the international arena . The concept can also refer to the activity carried out by the authorities to interact with the leaders of other States.
It should be noted that the idea of politics has several meanings. In this case we are interested in its meaning as what is done by those in charge of managing public affairs. The external , on the other hand, can refer to what is external to a nation, as opposed to what is internal or national.
About foreign policy
Foreign policy contemplates the various actions that a government takes to manage its international relations . Therefore it is associated with diplomacy .
In the exercise of foreign policy, the representation of the State abroad through embassies and consulates is of great importance. These offices, in addition to providing services to citizens, act on behalf of the government of their country.
Each State, in this way, designs and carries out a foreign policy that allows it to defend its interests and values at the international level. Likewise, this activity is aimed at establishing agreements and pacts with other countries to guarantee peace and address issues that concern humanity in general (such as human rights and climate change).
It is important to indicate that foreign policy must be in tune with domestic policy since both defend national interests and must address the social and economic needs of the population.
Through foreign policy, we seek to promote disarmament and stop the arms race.
Opportunities and risks
Foreign policy is often linked to taking advantage of the opportunities and minimizing the risks that exist in the global context. Although it points to variables external to the country, the issues it addresses have an impact on the daily lives of all inhabitants.
Through international alliances and treaties , for example, a State can obtain foreign aid for its development, establish free trade zones and even reinforce its national security . With public diplomacy and trade missions, exports can also be promoted and new markets opened.
Faced with the actions of international terrorist organizations, meanwhile, foreign policy is key. The war against terrorism requires joint efforts from all countries to ensure global security .
The Cold War was a consequence of the foreign policy of the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).
Foreign policy and international law
The foreign policy of each country must be framed in international law . This branch of law establishes the legal responsibilities that States have when binding each other and establishes the treatment of people within state boundaries.
Within this framework, the United Nations Organization ( UN ) has several bodies that ensure international law and apply it. From the General Assembly to the UN Security Council , passing through the International Court of Justice , there are different organizations and bodies that regulate relations between countries.
It should be noted that, under the orbit of the UN , world summits and international conferences are organized where leaders exchange opinions and seek to reach agreements. The purpose is that the foreign policy of each State, without losing its identity or its principles, can develop in harmony with global objectives.
Caring for the environment
Caring for the environment is the responsibility of all countries and, therefore, is part of the foreign policy agenda. Global warming is a phenomenon that, to a greater or lesser extent, affects all nations, so each State must get involved in the fight against the problem.
Of course, powers that have a high level of industrial development do not have the same responsibility as poorer nations with underdeveloped economies. Similarly, climate change does not generate the same impact in territories with solid infrastructure and resources for prevention as in those whose inhabitants, for the most part, can barely survive.
Without leaving aside this reality, international environmental policy involves each nation in caring for the planet. If we focus on the Paris Agreement , this treaty in force since November 2016 is part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ( UNFCCC ), which has 197 parties (the States that ratified it).
This means that 197 countries have adopted the commitment to take measures to reduce greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions and keep global warming to less than a 2ºC increase in temperature compared to pre-industrial times. .
Also within the framework of the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol was implemented, in force since February 2005 and which sets emissions reduction targets for the European Union ( EU ) and 37 countries.
These types of pacts, in short, are born from the foreign policy of each State, understanding political activity above all as a search for consensus for decision-making.