Define the concept National Interest in International Relations, Significance in IR, Determinants, Kinds, Methods and Ways to Acquire N I it in present Complicated International Politics.

Define the concept National Interest in International Relations, Significance in IR, Determinants, Kinds, Methods and Ways to Acquire N I it in present Complicated International Politics. 1. Definition, Significance and Importance in international System Brookings Institute defines national interest as “the general and continuing ends for which a nation acts”. Morgenthau defines national interest as “the survival, the protection of physical, political and cultural identity against encroachments by other nation-states”. National Interest has become a fundamental concept of international relations which encompass the ideological interest, political interests, security interests, economic and commercial interests, social and cultural interests in relation to other states depends on the level and nature of relations. The notion of national interests reflects states fundamental perception of the amalgamation of all national interests, its importance, its purpose, its values and ways to acquire these values in the complicated international politics. The short and long-term and long-lasting goals, which the state strive to pursue and attain well-being and security for its people, is generally called National Interest in the present era of cooperation and confrontation. The internal interest of states gradually transformed into the concept of international interest in relation to other states in their dealing. National Interest as an integral part of states strategic policy, the concept of national interests, naturally exerts indelible impact on the formation and implementation of national strategies with regard to foreign countries. The concept of national interests is profoundly influenced by the way of ideological philosophy of state, cultural traditions, social and moral values. Different countries have different concepts of national interests at different times conflicting with other states. The term national interest gained currency with the emergence of state system, an increase in political and strategic control, and the expansion of economic and commercial relations among the states. As there is no universally agreed definition of National Interest so, it is changing according to circumstances. The states respect the collective interests of other nations to reduce the chance of conflict in international politics. All state takes conducive steps and cooperates with international community in order to secure their vital national interest without jeopardizing others interest. State whatsoever powerful hesitate to usurp the interest of other states, as it has becomes an act against international community. The international community responds collectively on the forum of United Nations and other regional forums. States have to face censure and criticism on all forums of world. The importance of national interest is vindicated by the fact the all states weak or powerful consider it as supreme and respect others national interest. It has crossed the borders. The people and states of South America is raising voice against any violation in other parts of world. The people of Asia shows concern over the instability in Africa due to civil wars. 2. Development of National Interest from ancient time to present era. The states pursued their national interest from time immemorial in one or the other form. The nations destroyed each other to acquire it. Its shape and nature changed from old form to present after the end of world war 11. The people of world after enormous destruction and sacrifices reshaped it and snatched from the hands of only few powers by launching movements to defeat few powers in the world. The French Revolution and Independence of USA, the propagation of philosophers and the emergence of democratic values in the world have developed its significance and indispensability. The actual concept of National Interest got currency after the end of World War 11, establishment and strengthening of United Nations and increasing interaction among states of global comity. The inclement and intense cold war between super power, emergence of military pacts NATO and Warsaw realized the third world countries utility and importance of National Interest. The interaction among the state increased as the number of states got freedom from colonial powers. The mutual interaction in various vital fields also created problems for states. The states realized its utility and significance and tried to consolidate their position in dealing with foreign countries. This developed the concept of National Interest in international politics. The state since its inception pursued to acquire National interest through various ways and means. The international politics and inclement rivalry between two super powers during cold, and destruction in proxy wars because of civil wars supported by either super power destroyed the countries. These states who took part in proxy war realized the futility and also people compelled the governments of states to attain their vital National and International Interest. The majority states left the block politics and followed neutral policy having relations with both super powers. The states were facing destruction and could not work for the welfare of its people. The people stood against these destructive policies and coerced their respective governments to abandon detrimental policy. The mounting pressure of national and international people and think tanks helped in spread of democracy within these states. The expansion of interdependence in social, economic, commercial, political and strategic relations among states has promoted development of National Interest. The success of people’s struggle against US and its western allies in Far East Asia and South East Asia, Jihad against USSR in Afghanistan, fall of Communist ideology in East Europe, Unification of Germany, liberation of Kuwait and incident of 9/11 and furious US response also contributed and helped understanding the importance of National Interest. The state in order to attain their national interest can take any destructive steps and set example for other states to be careful and do not trample the interest of other states. Those states who deliberately try to violate of the concept of National Interest paid heavy price in various forms in the international system. These events have consolidated the concept of National Interest and acquired strategic inviolability. 3. Determinants of National Interest: Internal or National and external or International determinants and factors play crucial role in the formulation and acquiring of the national interest of any state. These determinants are combination of multifarious factors such as the qualities of national leaders, governmental configuration and form and rational approach adopted by the leaders with the visible unqualified support of people. Determinants encompass the interests of the most influential groups within the country, social and cultural values, and most importantly the ideology of the states and the geopolitical location. The military and economic capabilities of regional and world countries, commercial, economic and strategic pressures that all countries faces from regional and major powers and international organizations are also determinants of great importance. These determinants collectively are important, form the prestige of states, and shape the course of international relations in the world. These determinants are directly dependent on the power of state in the world. 4. Kinds and Types of National Interest in international system. The various western scholars propounded different kinds of national interest considering the political and economic conditions before World War 11 and their affiliation with their European Countries. Their concepts have become outdated with the changing global circumstances owing to technological advancement and enhanced international intercourse among countries. In today’s world, kinds presented by these western scholars have become obsolete and lost its relevance. These scholars divided national Interest into various kinds suited to their time and countries. Today’s world is changed and enemies of state have become obvious so the national interests have assumed different forms. The adversaries of todays are interacting with each other to get their national interest at the same time confronting with each other. Today’s world is world of cooperation and coexistence with confrontation. That is why the kinds and nature has changed due to current international system. It is concluded from study of global politics that there are two kinds of national interest. The first is Permanent, Inevitable and non-negotiable and the second is NonPermanent, Negotiable and Manageable National Interest. 1. The Permanent, Inevitable or Non-Negotiable. The permanent, inevitable or non-negotiable interests of a State include the protection and preservation of territorial integrity, political independence, and Ideological, social, cultural identity of the state against possible encroachments from outside power. These are inevitable and non-negotiable or permanent national interest and the state must defend them at all costs. The states and people of world have been fighting and sacrificing their lives at the cost of protecting this national interest. In present era states, acquire power to protect this national interest. The states that could not protect this type of national interest were subjugated by other states and became colonies or merged with usurpers. The people of Asia, Africa and South America valiantly fought and made enormous sacrifices to get their motherland from powerful European colonial powers. The liberation of Vietnam, Korea from powerful Western powers proves the fact. These people sacrificed unparallel in the annals of history. The Afghan war against USSR and USA proved that people defend it at any cost. The liberation of Kuwait from even brotherly Arab country Iraq corroborates the importance of Permanent interest. The valiant struggle of Palestinian people against entire western world to achieve their homeland is also a glaring example. The intruder has to leave the land. The people of states are willing to sacrifice all and stand against powerful enemy to defend the permanent interest. The tiny state of Taiwan is struggling to protect this permanent interest against powerful china. The Baltic countries stood against USSR and achieved their permanent interest of independence. The people of Ukraine are fighting against Russia to protect their independence. The war in Ukraine is for protection of Permanent interest from either side. The policy of Pakistan against India is example of protecting permanent interest. No any state can compromise on this interest at any cost. Permanent interest is constant and long-term interests of the state. The permanent interest of a nation includes the preservation of physical, ideological, political, economic and cultural identity of the state against possible encroachment from outside powers. These interests are permanent and the state must defend them at all cost. No compromise of these interests is possible. The nature and duration of the alliance will depend on the relative strength of those interests. The USA and countries of Western Europe formed a defensive alliance against the threat of communism. 2. The Non-Permanent, Negotiable or Manageable. The Nonpermanent, negotiable and manageable interests are those interests, which can be achieved by negotiation, diplomatic management among states on established forums under international law and United Nations system. These are achieved through power of persuasions by global friends and organisation and do not allow states to reach point of no return. The power of persuasion no doubt takes time but avoid destruction and misery over the people. The states have assumed maturity in international system and managed to live with each other in cooperation and confrontation. The states due to external pressures contain themselves within the ambit of prevalent system and desist from paying the heavy cost for national interest. The Nonpermanent interest includes economic and commercial agreements or pacts for achieving mutual economic, commercial, social, cultural and strategic interest and benefits from each other. These include all relations among states and people of world within the national and International Law. All states of world consider theses interest as collective interest essential for peace, harmony and survival in the world. They collectively work for attaining these interests through negotiation or use of good office of United Nations system. These are identical of all states. In order to achieve this type of national interest states do not resort to war. After the destruction of World Wars and other wars between states they now avoid war as the war is not limited to two warring states it engulf entire community in one or the other way. The entire community forces other states to restrain and mediate to solve the issue. The US and Iran since decades did not fight with each other because the permanent interest are not in jeopardy. World powers and organizations pursued them for adopting diplomatic channels and prevented war. The China and Taiwan is another issue the global community is playing its role and pursuing both to avoid confrontation. All states protect its citizen in other states through diplomacy as they consider it their Nonpermanent interest. States protest with each other on many issues but remain within limits. The present international system prevents the states from acting beyond limits. The USA, Russia, China and European powers despite being powerful remain within the limits and abide by the prescriptions of international system. The India and Pakistan in south asia has many disputes but refraining from war due to the pressure of global community. African states also desisting from war and using diplomatic channels for solving their unsettled issues. Methods for the protection of national interests. There are various methods for the protection of national interests propounded by international strategist. These are Coercive method, Alliances and Diplomatic negotiations. The nature and scope of international relations have transformed tremendously after the end of world wars. The method of acquiring national Interest has also been transformed by change of International politics. New ways are developing and taking place of old ways. These are the use of the good office of United Nations system, Strategic Alliances, Coalition and Regional Organizations, Diplomatic Negotiations or Diplomacy, Coercive measures, Economical Methods, Global Public Opinion, and Wars. Above all the global comity submitted to international organisation decisions and regional organizations. The states realized the respect for the national interest of other states as their collective interest. They also recognize the importance of international public opinion and willingly listen to it. Above all the role of international Law and the decisions of International Courts of Justice also proved a deterrent in international politics. 1. The use of the UN forum as method of acquiring national and collective global Interest. The UN assumed enormous prominence and moral authority after the end of inclement cold war. The United Nations as the world’s universal organization has become the foremost forum to address issues that go beyond national boundaries and difficult to be resolved by any one country. The efforts of UN are visible from disaster relief, through education and advancement of women, to peaceful uses of atomic energy. The UN and other bodies of the United Nations played its assertive role for the elimination of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. UN and global community exerted enormous pressure that forced the super powers to conclude nuclear reduction treaties such as SALT, NPT, and START etc. Due to the Preventive Diplomacy and Mediation used by the UN system the major powers and leaders of third world states diverted their attention to combat environmental degradation, poverty eradication and economic inequality and to great extent avoiding the war as a mean to settle dispute. The UN since its inception successfully safeguarded international peace, respect for human rights, international justice and promoting economic and social progress. The United Nations launched its sustainable development Goals and agenda that will build a more sustainable global economy and help reduce the suffering of humanity. Only two decades ago about 40 per cent people of third world was living in abject poverty but the efforts of UN has halved extreme poverty through the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The UN with the collective economic assistance by global community strives to reduce economic dependence on military blocks. United Nations is achieving international co-operation in solving social and economic problems of humanitarian nature. The UN is playing its positive role to reduce human suffering and the massive economic costs of conflicts. It is striving to prevent conflicts from flaring up and using diplomacy, good offices and mediation in this regard. The UN through its diplomatic and expert exhortation prevails upon the states to reduce poverty and combat terrorism. The Member States wittingly agreed to enhance role of UN for their own benefit and accepted universal instruments against common enemy of people. The UN Charter codifies the major principles of international relations, from sovereign equality of States to the prohibition of the use of force in international relations. The implementation of International Law by ICJ is an instrument of peaceful settlement of issues. 2. Strategic Alliances, Coalition and Regional Organizations Military Alliances are concluded by two or more states for securing their shared interests against their adversary in international Politics. Alliances make it a moral and legal obligation for the members to work collectively for the promotion of agreed common interests. The nature and scope of an alliance depends upon the nature of interest. Accordingly, the alliances are either military or economic in nature. Before the world Wars, Europeans powers concluded alliances against each other. After the end of World War 11, the United States and its western allies formed military pacts against the expanding communist ideology, which were gaining ground in the world. They created military alliances like NATO, SEATO, CENTO, ANZUS during the cold war era. The USSR and Eastern European countries formed WARSAW and COMECON alliance against capitalist countries. The Arab and the Muslim countries formed an alliance Arab League and OIC against the Israel and its cohorts. Following the disintegration of USSR new regional groupings formed. They are not military alliance but economic in nature. The regional countries established various regional pacts purely for the securing socio-economic benefits from each other’s experience and expertise. These regional organizations collaborate in socio-economic field and nothing to do with military affairs. The United Nations monitor by becoming its observer, cooperates with these regional blocs, and extends full support to them in all fields. In present era of coexistence and confrontation, states secure their vital interest through mutual regional cooperation. The regional countries form alliance not for military purpose but for economic and social progress such as ASEAN in South East Asia, SAARC in South Asia, ECO in South West Asia and Central Asia, GCC in Gulf countries, Black Sea Economic Cooperation, Caspian Sea Economic Cooperation, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Asia and many more in all sub regions of world. SCO is regarded as Asian Nato against US and its western allies in the Indian and Pacific Ocean. Alliances and regional blocs are important means for securing national interests and surely reduced the chance of conflict or war. US has pursued a hawkish stand on China due to US and its allies growing fear of a China’s increasing economic, military and technological power which they consider a threat to their dominance and threat to their vital global interest. International Politics reveals that US consider China not just as a competitor but an adversary since its establishment in 1949. China has taken steps to counter the US strategy of containing China. Recently US established military and economic pacts AUKUS and QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) to contain China in Indo - Pacific Region. Rising tensions have started new cold war between them with disastrous repercussions for the entire world. Despite their economic interdependence, both states are flaring a lethal confrontation. The US has embarked on a policy to contain China like it contained and collapse USSR. Global community is warning both against lethal confrontations and pursuing them to reduce heightened tension through diplomatic channels. AUKUS, trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. AUKUS and QUAD is a modern shape of NATO against China and Russia. QUAD strategic forum comprising USA, India, Australia and Japan. These are new military pacts. 3. Diplomatic Negotiations or Diplomacy Diplomatic negotiations are another important method for the protection of national interest of European states since the treaty of Westphalia. Diplomatic Negotiations was used to reconcile the divergent interest of the European state through process of mutual give and take. Diplomacy is a universally accepted means for securing national interests. It is through diplomacy that the states seek to secure the goals of national interests. Diplomats of various states establish contacts with the diplomats of other states and conduct negotiations for achieving the vital national interests without jeopardizing others interest. Diplomacy involves the presentation and persuading opponent state to reach on mutual consensus. Before the world wars, diplomats use persuasion and threats, rewards and threats of denial of rewards as the means for exercising power and securing goals of national interest. The UN is encouraging Diplomatic channels to defuse the tension between states. The regional organizations also adopt diplomacy to bring the warring states to table as SAARC did in post 98 nuclear explosion carried out by India and Pakistan. The OIC and Arab League coerced Israel to accept the existence of Palestine. The ASEAN is collectively securing their member’s interest through diplomatic negotiation and never fight in recent history. In addition to national interest, states are trying to protect common interest in the larger interest of international community. For example, they are exerting pressure on nuclear states to avoid the use of nuclear weapon. Through mutual give and take, accommodation and reconciliation, diplomacy successfully secured the desired goals and objectives of national interest. The global community has acknowledged diplomacy as an instrument of securing national interest. Morgenthau regards diplomacy as the most permanent means. However, not all the objectives and goals of national interest can be secured through diplomacy. 4. Coercive measures Coercive measures adopted by the states for the enforcement of national interest. These measures are of negative character even though they may produce positive result. These are acts of embargoes, boycotts, retaliation, intervention and reprisal, severance of diplomatic relations. These are non-violent in character and do not create serious international crisis. The global community adopted coercive measure and forced the US and its western allies to leave the Korean Peninsula and Vietnam. The UN adopted coercive method against USSR to withdraw from Afghanistan. The world community coerced the government of South Africa to end Apartheid. The world community under the umbrella of UN liberated the Kuwait forcibly and illegally occupied by Iraq. The USA has taken coercive measures through the UN to desist the Iran from pursuing nuclear technology. The US has concluded various pacts with Saudi Arabia and many other Arab countries to pressurize Iran. The Russia and China are also supporting Iran to deter the United States. These types of measure are coercive and war does not break out. The US and Russia took coercive methods over the Ukraine crises and imposed severe economic sanctions. The US is indicting Pakistan that Pakistan is supporting terrorist groups only to get things done from Islamabad. Pak is also victim of terrorism and our soldiers and civilians have sacrificed their lives. Terrorism has damaged our economy. The international community also raise voice aginst any human violation in any country of world and exert pressure over it. National interest is directly interdependent with the power of a state. It is a proven fact that states have been using various forms of force for securing their national interests. International Law before world war 11 recognized coercive means short of war as a method for European states to fulfilling their national Interest. The European states used to force weaker states to accept their will. The weaker states eventually surrendered and accepted the will of powerful states. Although wars have been considered illogical means to settle issues, yet states frequently used in international relations when their permanent interest was threatened. Experiencing and considering the destruction in the previous wars, states realize the importance of peaceful means of conflict resolution as the rational way and method for protecting national interests. However, despite recognizing the importance states continue to use all methods, whenever they think that their permanent national interest is in jeopardy. However, in the interest of international peace, security and prosperity, states are expected to refrain from using coercive means against particular states or group of states. They should emphasis peaceful means for the settlement of disputes and for securing interests. Today international world public opinion forces the states to refrain from using illogical means. States have the right and duty to protect their national interests and they have the freedom to choose the necessary way. They can use peaceful means as and when they may desire or deem essential. While formulating the goals and objectives of national interest, all states must formulate rational policies to make them compatible with the international interests of Peace, Security, environmental protection, protection of human rights and Sustainable Development. 5. Economic Method. In this era of Globalization, conduct of international economic relation has emerged as a key means of national interests. Developed powers use economic aid and loans as the means for securing their interests and support to perpetuate their philosophy. The dependence of less developed states upon developed powers for the import of industrial products, technological expertise, foreign assistance, armaments and for selling raw materials has been responsible for strengthening the role of economic instruments of acquiring national interest. The major economically developed countries secure get their interest by offering aid to other countries for their support on international and regional forums. The US provided aid to European countries in order to keep them away from communist block. The communist countries provided aid to other countries to keep them in their sphere of influence. In recent years, China is providing aid to Asian and many African countries to get economic and strategic interest. The major powers avoid coming into confrontation hence making friends by providing economic aid. 6. Global Public Opinion. The revolutionary development of the means of communications (Internet) in the recent times has increased the scope of global public opinion as a means for securing of national interest. The important method for securing national interest was propaganda. It was profoundly used by opponents against each other. However, it has lost relevance due to technological advancement. Global public opinion has reduced its relevance. It has realized world countries to secure national interest without jeopardizing others interest. Global public opinion affected the perceptions actions of states. Global public opinion is directly addressed to the people of entire states to respect others interest to get their own interest. 7. Wars. State acquired their national interest through war since the creation of city-states. War throughout the ages has been used as an instrument for avenging injustice and for enforcing rights. Nations invaded other nations to prove their superiority over other nations. Recourse to war is taken only when all other means does not produce results in favour of powerful state. War is no doubt, the final and most effective means of pursuing national interest has been war since ancient time. The causes of war have been different from time to time and area. They are Natural Cause, Political causes, International system, Psychological, Economic, cultural and Ideological causes. Samuel Huntington in his book ‘The Clash of Civilization and remaking world order’ claims that wars are by and large caused because of conflicting ideologies and cultures”. The first and second world wars were between two conflicting ideologies and clash of national interest of European countries. The Arab-Israel war has also roots in ideology. The feeling of insecurity and the fears of being occupied by other states are undoubtedly the strongest potential cause of war in the world. The commitment of one state to fulfill the national interests at any cost is one of the causes of war. A war is the result of multiple factors no single factor causes war. Since the causes of war are cumulative, some cause becomes more important than other causes and eventually becomes the direct cause of war. War has helped in achieving freedom and safeguarding democracy. War helped American and Latin American people to get freedom from colonial powers. Lot of countries got independence in the wake of WW 11. Imperialism was buried all over the world. Prestigious nations of world consider Honorable war better than dishonorable peace. War contributes to unity and peace at home. War has stimulated inventions and created a revolution in industrial and agricultural production. In present era of coexistences and confrontation, war has been made last priority of states as international system uses other peaceful methods such as disarmament, collective security, and application of International Law. No doubt was do break out but anti war steps are more powerful than warring countries. THANKS Professor DR. QAYUM MANGI, CSS ACADEMY SUKKUR.