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Foreign Policy Analysis

Module description

Understanding the complex dynamics of international relations and the behaviour of countries on the global stage requires a nuanced approach that goes beyond simplistic analogies of nations as inert billiard balls, subject only to external forces. Such a reductive view not only fails to capture the intricacies of state behaviour but also risks dehumanizing the very essence of international politics, an approach that is ethically questionable. To truly grasp the unfolding of global events and the rationale behind specific policies, it is imperative to delve into the intricate web of human interactions, intentions, and processes that underlie these decisions.

This module is designed to provide a deep dive into the core principles of Foreign Policy Analysis, offering students a lens through which to understand the motivations, constraints, and opportunities that shape how states navigate the international arena. By examining the roles of key actors—including national leaders, diplomats, and advisors—students will gain insights into the complex decision-making processes that drive foreign policy.

Through lectures and discussions, students will be equipped with the tools necessary to critically assess the actions of countries on the world stage. This approach not only enriches one’s understanding of current events but also fosters a more empathetic and sophisticated perspective on the challenges and dilemmas faced by policymakers. Ultimately, the module aims to empower students with the knowledge and analytical skills required to navigate and interpret the complexities of international relations with nuance and depth.

There are no pre-requisite or co-requisite modules required to take this module. This module is suitable for both specialist and non-specialist students and recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to equip students with a critically important set of notions and analytical tools, enhancing their ability to study and explain international affairs. The first part of the module focuses on key concepts such as the decision-making unit and foreign policy change. This foundation will enable students to integrate and apply actor- and issue-specific knowledge, which forms the core of the second part of the module.

While much of the foundational Foreign Policy Analysis literature focuses on the study of Western countries, the instructor will not only discuss but also strongly encourage students to consider whether and how existing concepts can be applied to the study of non-Western countries.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Become familiar with the concepts of FPA.
• 2. Apply FPA-related ideas and frameworks to investigate international events.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Understand the relationship between FPA and IR theory.
• 4. Evaluate different explanations of international events.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Improve analytical skills and critical thinking.
• 6. Improve analytical skills and critical thinking.

Syllabus plan

Part 1: Key Concepts and Ideas

• Why Do We Need FPA? History and Rationale
• The Decision-making Unit: A Basic Framework
• The Many Shades of Foreign Policy Change

Part 2:

• The Leader: Approaches to Power and Personality
• Group Dynamics: Does Unity Make Strength?
• Experts and Advisers: Knowledge Is Power, Sometimes!
• The Bureaucracy: A Not-so-perfect Machine
• Civil-Military Relations: A Double-edged Sword
• Interest Groups: Economic Actors and Diasporas
• Public Opinion: A Slippery Concept

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Arnold Wolfers, Discord and Collaboration: Essays on International Politics (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins Press, 1962), chapter 1.
• Valerie M. Hudson, Foreign Policy Analysis: Classic and Contemporary Theory (Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2013), chapter 1.
• Halvard Leira, “The Emergence of Foreign Policy,” International Studies Quarterly, Vol. 63, No. 1 (2019), pp. 187-98.
• Chris Alden and Amnon Aran, Foreign Policy Analysis: New approaches (New York, NY: Routledge, 2017);
• Steve Smith, Amelia Hadfield, and Tim Dunne, Foreign Policy: Theories, Actors, Cases (Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2016), section 3 (case studies).

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – Faculty to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages