A country’s foreign policy aims to achieve its goals and interests in the world. It involves a mix of hard and soft power, including diplomacy, economic aid, military interventions and cultural exchanges. Countries may also take part in international organizations like the United Nations and NATO.
There are more than 190 countries in the world and they are connected with each other by global trade, travel and technology. A well-defined foreign policy can help a country achieve its security and economic interest by building alliances, engaging with other countries and promoting democracy and human rights around the world.
A foreign policy can be a good or bad thing, depending on its intent and results. Some foreign policies have aimed at expanding the influence of their country in the world, often through military intervention or annexation of territories. Others have sought to spread democracy and human rights, even if they do so by putting pressure on authoritarian governments.
Publics around the world are divided on whether a country should follow its own interests on international issues, or take into account the interests of other countries. For example, majorities in many Western European countries and the United States say their country should take other countries’ interests into consideration, even if they disagree with them. In contrast, many people in China and Russia believe their country should only consider its own interests in international affairs. These differences are often influenced by perceptions of the U.S.’s role in the world.
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