The social structure of a country influences its foreign policy-making. How does the social structure of India impact the course and direction of its foreign policy?.(UPSC CSE Mains 2015- Political Science and International Relations, Paper 2)
- A nation’s foreign policy flows from several sources: From the international system to its domestic political imperatives to the cultural factors that underlie its society to the personal characteristics and perceptions of individual decision-makers. This usually provides an essential continuity to a nation’s foreign policy framework. Like most nations, India’s external outlook has also traditionally been a result of these varied factors interacting and transforming each other.
- In view of the vast diversity in the social, economic, linguistic and territorial dimensions of India, there arises occasions with regard to specific policy measures, when certain sections of people try to look at the issue from a parochial perspective casting aspersion on the sanctity of national interest. In such cases, the government of India needs to be assertive enough to push for the policy which it deems appropriate despite spirited opposition to such policies. (i.e) there is need for certain degree of stridency in the institutions and mechanism of foreign policy making in India so that the policies aimed at protecting and promoting national interests of the country are carried through despite the opposition of certain vested sections of society.
The following factors conclude that social structure essentially influence the India’s foreign policy.
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- If the social cohesion is weak then it is insecurity dilemma which threats the national interest while security dilemma threatens nations is an external factor but insecurity dilemma is internal factor example ; left wing extremism
- Due to less social cohesion there will be simmering instability of the very political structure which directly impact countries foreign policies
- As the democracy is universally accepted form of political system where the pressure group, civil societies, and most importantly citizens of the country who are politically socialized in a social democratic order will essentially check the countries external relations. NGOs and civil society groups representing marginalised communities on the left are opposed to a foreign economic policy that they saw as causing dislocation, suffering for the poor and environmental harm.
- Owing to the importance of public opinion in a democratic government’s hold on power, domestic public opinion can shape foreign policy choices. However, due to foreign policy being an issue of less salience for the public, and with public opinion still not universally understood as a coherent variable, it may not independently exert influence on foreign policy. However, public opinion is an important intervening variable as it mediates the relationship between policy choices and how it is framed by the government to bolster its image. Thus, public opinion is an important variable in relation to foreign policy decision-making as, based on perceived public interest or outrage for policies, governments may prime the public by framing interventions that magnify their favourability.
The main incident, which established India as a regional power, was the creation of Bangladesh. 1971 was crucial for India’s position in the region. The flood of refugees that poured into India had severe effects on the economy and on India’s social structure. Out of economic and strategic necessity India trained, armed and then gave combat support to the Bangladeshi refugees.
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