3.3.1 Pursuit of National Interest Shapes Foreign Policy

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3.3.1 Pursuit of National Interest Shapes Foreign Policy

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National Interest Impacts Foreign Policy

When pursuing national interest, countries usually develop policies for how they are going to make decisions about dealing with other countries. Those policies make up a country's foreign policy, which reflect the national interests of the country involved. Nationalism also influences a country's national interest and its foreign policy.

As you saw on the previous page, Canada's claim to Arctic sovereignty guides our nation's approach to other nations, starting with membership in the Arctic Council. National interests and approaches to foreign policy impacted the events and outcomes of World War I (1914 to 1918).

Foreign Policy Can Also Impact National Interest

There are three main aspects that shape countries and the relationships they form with other countries. These include national interest, foreign policy, and nationalism.

Not only can national interest shape foreign policy, but the situation can work the other way. Other nations' foreign policies can impact a nation's interests, and the degree in which a nation pursues their interests. Strong feelings of nationalism, foreign alliances, and national interests impacted all nations involved in World War I (and some nations that did not want to be involved at all).

As the diagram below shows, national interest, foreign policy, and nationalism contribute to a nation's response to international events. Such responses are also influenced by the aspects of national interest (economic prosperity, safety and security, and beliefs and values).



World War I involved a few nations in the initial conflict. However, due to a variety of factors (influenced by national interest, foreign policy, and nationalism) the war lasted for four years and resulted in over 41 million casualties.

Allied Leaders, World War I

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