Foreign Policy and National Self-Interest 

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Should internationalism be pursued?



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  • Have you ever seen a friend struggle with a personal problem and wondered if you should help?

  • Have you ever seen someone get bullied and considered stepping in?

  • Have you ever participated in a project to help people in another country deal with a natural disaster?

  • Have you ever committed yourself to a lifestyle that could improve conditions in your family, school, or community?
If you have faced any of these situations, you have some sense of the dilemma countries face when they consider responding to global issues.

In the same way you personally assess the possible consequences of an action when faced with a dilemma, nations' leaders must assess the possible consequences of actions their nation might take in response to international events, including the impact on its citizens. Canada has its own national priorities and issues (especially when it comes to national unity), but our country's leaders must also assess the possible consequences of becoming involved in international events.

When it comes to involvement in international events, a fine line exists between nations aiding (which could be perceived as interfering) in areas where help is needed, or standing back to allow nations to manage their own destinies (with both positive and negative consequences from either course of action). Decisions that are made when dealing with other nations and nation-states is called foreign policy, and these decisions can range from an approach of internationalism, or isolationism. Review these approaches in foreign policy below.

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  • non-involvement in international affairs
  • place national self-interests ahead of global concerns
  • individual responsibility and self-preservation
  • make decisions based on what is best for their own self-interests

  • involvement in international affairs
  • place global concerns before national self-interests
  • collective responsibility for global challenges
  • respect the motives of nations/nation-states when searching for solutions


When it comes to making decisions related to international events, nations may need to give up some of their sovereignty to defer to decisions made by supranational organizations. Supranationalism is a policy by which countries agree to accept the decisions of an international organization made up of independent appointed officials or representatives elected by member countries (World Trade Organization, International Criminal Court, or the European Union are all examples that you may want to review and add to your notes).

Giving up some sovereignty moves countries away from isolationist policies. Isolationism keeps countries from interacting with others in the global community, and nations who pursue a course of isolation believe they are doing what is best for their own national interests, such as the United States when it rejected joining the League of Nations after World War I.

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When member countries of the United Nations put their own national interests aside when discussing policies regarding peace efforts among nations, humanitarian aid, and the environment, they take an internationalist approach to global affairs. As part of this internationalist approach, nations enter into multilateral agreements (agreements made among many nations) to address a particular issue of concern to all nations.

View Model Diplomacy's video discussion of multilateralism, especially when nations address issues in a changing world.


A Canadian United Nations Peacekeeper stops to talk with a Haitian woman
© United Nations Photo Library


Internationalism affects how one nation acts towards other nations. It is a means for nations to work cooperatively, while still acknowledging their own differing national interests. A country faced with an international issue can choose a course of involvement, where they seek solutions to the issue, or a course of non-involvement, where they do not take any action. The reasons a country may or may not choose to be involved in certain international issues are often based on motives of national interest.

Reflect

When you become involved in community programs, volunteer, play sports, or go to school activities, you accept that certain parts of your life will change. As a result of your involvement, you give up certain freedoms (such as going out with friends, heading outdoors, watching TV, or other activities) because your commitment to helping others takes priority. Likewise, internationalism means that nations accept that their own interests might be pushed aside for the collective interests of the global community.

In your perspective, to what extent should Canada pursue international issues at the expense of our national self-interest? How can nations balance their own needs and still pursue international interests?