Aims

Ideally, students will already have attended the course on "International relations from 1815 to the present day", or equivalent.

Main themes

This course focuses on one of the main activities of the state, and will initially aim to define the concept of foreign policy via:
a) an approach based on the history of ideas (i.e. an understanding of the concept in political reflection);
b) a politico-administrative approach (i.e. the progressive structuring of the state based on this specific activity, and the place of the diplomatic function);
c) a content-based approach (i.e. the specific objective of foreign policy, and policy variation over time).
It will then analyse foreign policy formation and application mechanisms (decision-making processes). The study of a particular foreign policy will provide a case of policy application.

Content and teaching methods

Content
1. The history and development of reflection on foreign policy (its appearance and development, and authors).
2. Decision-making in foreign policy (the politico-administrative process, domestic policy constraints, pressure group influence, and different schools of thought).
3. The dimension of foreign policy (the strategic-diplomatic dimension, external economic relations, ethical matters and the relationship between democracy and foreign policy, a comparative study involving Belgium, France, Federal Germany and the United States, and case studies.
The course will present some introductory talks to the main issues to be addressed, and will include compulsory individual reading, together with oral presentations-cum-discussions and written work focusing on the study of the chosen case.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Pre-requirements: The basic course on international relations.
An oral or written examination on the subject-matter of the course.
Participation in sessions and written work will also be taken into consideration.
There will be a reading portfolio.

Other credits in programs