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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.