Foreign Policy--The Systemic Level

8/4/2019 Foreign Policy--The Systemic Level

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Foreign Policythe

Systemic LevelThe Big PictureHierarchy, Levels

of Satisfaction andWealth/Development, and Polarity


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The Systemic Level

This represents the

big picturethe

way the world is

structured and thepattern states

interact as part of

the overallstructure.


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The Systemic Level

It assumes that statesrandom behavior andrelations are actually

part of a large-scalesystem of organized

complexity. Statesforeign policies areviewed as containingmeaningful similaritiesand express

standardized sets ofinteraction patterns.In other words, theforeign policies of 180(+) states comprise aninternational system


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The Systemic Level

The central assumption atthis level is that thestructure of the system

plays the most significant

role in determining thebehavior or foreignpolicies of states.

The nature of the state orits leaders is relativelyinsignificant. Rather, thestates foreign policies aredetermined primarily bytheir respective positionsin the international system.


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Systemic Level

Different states within thesame international systemwill behave similarlydespite their differences innational attributes and

political systems.

The nature of theinternational system itselfand the states position

within the system providescertain constraints orlimits on the behavior ofstates and compel ordispose states towardcertain activities.


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The Systemic Level

The main objective of

this level is to examine

the outside of the

state in order to

explore theinteractions of states

with other states, and

within a regional

system, aninternational system

and even in

international

organizations.


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The Systemic Level

The systemic level

provides four variables

that may affect a countrys

foreign policy: the

structure or hierarchy;degree of

satisfaction/dissatisfaction

in the system; the level of

wealth and technologicaldevelopment; and polarity.


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Hierarchy

A countrys foreign

policy is driven by the

its awareness and

understanding of itsidentity and the system

level understandings of

its relative

internationalposition/status.


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Types of Powers

Big powers.

Middle powers.

Small powers.

Weak/small powers.


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Hierarchy in the International

System Great powers tend to

interact amongthemselves as they tryto limit each othersinfluence and power.(balance of power).

A state ranks high onone dimension of

powers is likely to rankto high on otherdimensions.


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Hierarchy

Interaction tends to be

dependent on a states

relative powerstates

that more powerfultend to interact more,

powerful and weaker

states interact less,

states that are weakinteract still less.


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Rank Determines Policy

Great Powers have

enormous capabilities and

demonstrated willingness

to use those capabilities to

protect their interests inthe international system.

They are sensitive to the

balance of power as they

attuned their foreignpolicies to confront

potential threats and to

address rising powers.


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Rank Determines Hierarchy

Middle or secondarypowers lack the completebundle or mass of powernecessary to become a

major power. Middlepower diplomacy basicallyfocuses on internationalmediation, peace-keeping,consensus-building within

international organizationand propagating their soft-power in internationalaffairs.


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Rank Determines Policy

Small powers foreignpolicy is based on therecognition that its rangeof opportunities forindependent actions is

constrained by theircapabilities and theirinteractions with thebigger powers. Small

powers capabilities are

constrained by the virtueof their relative weaknessin the hierarch of power,but they are not powerless.


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Levels of Satisfaction Status quo states

countries that are basicallysatisfied with the systemand wish to conserve the

pattern of internationalrelations and their place in

it.

Revisionist statescountries that either reject

the current status and itsrole in the system. They

want to effect a favorablemodification of theiroverall position in the

global system.


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Level of wealth and development

Provides the materialenvironment for politicaldecision-makers. Rapidcommunication, swift

transportation, andtechniques of warfare haverevolutionized therelationship of states andthe structure of the system.

Wealth and technologicaldevelopment have alsocreated a far moreinterdependent systemthan existed decades or

centuries ago.


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Polarity

Power polarity refers tothe concentration ofnational power withinthe system. Although

national power is oftenequated with themilitary power, it isnow accepted that it

also includestechnological,economic,demographic elementsas well.


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Polarity

Power polarity pertains

to the degree to which

these capabilities are

concentration at thehands of a small

number of states

versus the degree to

which it is diffusedwidely among a large

number of states.


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Types of Polarity Unipolarpower in the

system is concentrated inthe hands of a single state.

Bipolarit is a system of

parity of powers, wherecapabilities are more orless dispersed two major

powers.

Multi-polar Again it is asystem of parity of powers,

where capabilities aredispersed among three or

more powers.


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Limits of the Systemic Level This level focuses more on

policy outcomesparticularly behaviorsthan on the policy-making

process itself.

It emphasizes on theposition in theinternational system inrelation to its policy; but itdoes not explore the

options or opportunitiesopen to states in certainsituations and what thosestates must and /will do toachieve their foreign policy

goals.


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Limits

It ignores the important roleplayed by perceptions in thecalculation of foreign policymakers. Decision-makers areprone to misperception inassessing their countries

capabilities and position vis--vis other countries (Japansdecision to attack Pearl Harborand France and the U.K.sdecision to invade Egypt duringthe Suez Canal Crisis).

It ignores the fact that nationalleaders take into account theirdomestic political positionswhen formulating theircountries foreign policy.

Documents

Foreign Policy--The Systemic Level