POL 140 Lecture : Foreign Policy in International Relations
12 Dec 2013
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Document Summary
The strategies and actions of governments in addressing the international area. Foreign policy process: how policies are arrived at, and implemented, in various states. Rational-actor model (5-step chain: policy-making rational step-by-step process, state as a unitary actor. Clearly identifies the problem -> elucidates goals -> determines policy alternatives -> analyzes costs and benefits of alternatives -> selects action that produces best outcome at the least cost: problems: Can include a lack of information and/or insufficient time, misperception, cognitive bias. Bounded rationality : may imply that decision-making is simpler than reality, but. The rationality of foreign policy decisions is not as straightforward as the rational actor model. Different degrees and sources of power, ways of achieving their objectives, etc. Bureaucratic politics: fits relatively nicely with liberalism, organization process model. Decisions often rely on standard operating procedures (sops: bureaucratic model. Competing bureaucracies that may seek conflicting goals. The state may not be all pulling in the same direction.
