An Introduction to Foreign Policy

In order to understand today’s world, you require an understanding of the nuances of foreign policy, which defines the way that countries, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and global institutions engage with each other. The intricacy of international relations may appear overwhelming and this course unravels the alliances and conflicts that define the geopolitical landscape. Do you wonder how nations collaborate on global issues? This international politics course teaches you how nations strategically navigate their interests in a rapidly changing world and craft foreign policy agendas.

We begin by defining and analysing foreign policy before examining the key international relations theory called ‘Neorealism’, which emphasises the role of self-interest and power relations. We compare Kenneth Waltz’s ‘defensive Neorealism’ with John Mearsheimer’s ‘offensive Neorealism’. The course then introduces you to foreign policy analysis (FPA) and explains how to apply it to understand real-world scenarios and flashpoints.

We then examine the ‘rational actor’ model of foreign policy and identify its assumptions and their role in analysing states as rational actors who pursue national interests. We teach you about the ‘bureaucratic approach’, ‘groupthink’ and ‘cognitive approach’ models used to analyse foreign policy. Finally, we discuss the influence of media outlets on public perception of international events. This geopolitics course is designed for anyone who is passionate about global affairs, international relations and diplomacy and wants to learn more about the multifaceted world of foreign policy. Sign up to gain a deeper understanding of news headlines and the complex world around you.