International Studies Journal (ISJ)

International Studies Journal (ISJ)

A Comparative Study of Perspectives on Developmental Foreign Policy

Document Type : Original Article from Result of Thesis

Authors
Seyed Amirsina Nourani 1
Seyed Asghar Keivan Hosseini 2
Mehdi Zakerian 3
1 Department of Political Science and International Relations, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, , Tehran, Iran.
2 Prof. at Department of International Relations, Allameh Tabataba'e University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Associated Prof. at Department of Political Science and International Relations, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/isj.2025.500936.2286
Abstract
A fundamental challenge in foreign policy is transforming diplomacy into a tool for achieving economic development goals. This raises the question of the relationship between economic development models and foreign policy orientation as developmental foreign policy, and whether a fixed set of strategies exists for this approach or if they vary by a country’s conditions and characteristics. Accordingly, the primary research question is: What common strategic criteria can be identified within perspectives on developmental foreign policy? The hypothesis posits that within theories of developmental foreign policy, "institutional coordination" and "government-private sector interaction" emerge as shared focal points, alongside "active economic diplomacy and resource mobilization," "the presence of a guiding institution and focus on centralized decision-making structures," and "precise self-awareness and definition of national interests," which exhibit the highest frequency and thus hold significant importance. Employing a qualitative-interpretive method and quantitative content analysis, this study describes and interprets key indicators of foreign policy patterns and strategies that foster economic development. The research aims to identify and analyze both common and unique strategies in developmental foreign policy and assess their potential to significantly impact a country’s economic development. Findings reveal that, beyond shared strategies, approaches such as "financial governance," "public diplomacy," and "flexibility and decentralization" complement core strategies by enhancing self-sufficiency, soft power, and adaptability to global conditions, thereby accelerating sustainable development.

Highlights

Introduction

One of the fundamental challenges in the field of foreign policy is transforming diplomacy into an effective tool for achieving economic development goals. In today’s world, moving toward a dynamic and development-oriented economy is considered a key imperative for modern states. This is particularly important for developing and semi-peripheral countries that face significant economic and social gaps. In this regard, the role of the state in designing and implementing development-oriented strategies has been the subject of many political economy studies. According to Spoor and da Silva (2017), developing countries require a strong and capable state to overcome their economic and social disparities. However, a strong state does not necessarily mean a maximalist one; rather, it refers to a state that can effectively address internal and external challenges and advance developmental goals.

In this framework, development-oriented foreign policy emerges as a key instrument for achieving economic development objectives. This approach seeks to establish international interactions that not only ensure security and stability but also contribute to sustainable economic growth. However, the main issue of this research is to examine the relationship between economic development models and foreign policy orientations. Additionally, this study addresses the question of whether there is a fixed set of strategies for development-oriented foreign policy or whether these strategies vary depending on the specific conditions and characteristics of each country.

The main research question of this study is as follows: Within the framework of development-oriented foreign policy perspectives, what common strategic criteria can be identified?

This question seeks to identify strategies that can serve as a basis for designing development-oriented foreign policy. It also examines whether these strategies are universally applicable or need to be adapted to the specific conditions of each country.

The hypothesis of this research is as follows: Within the framework of theories related to development-oriented foreign policy, two strategic criteria, "institutional coordination" and "state-private sector interaction," are identified as common denominators among various perspectives. In addition, strategies such as "active economic diplomacy and resource mobilization," "the existence of a guiding institution and a focus on centralized decision-making structures," and "a precise understanding of oneself and the definition of national interests" are also highly significant due to their frequent recurrence in various theories. This hypothesis is based on the idea that common strategies can serve as a general framework for development-oriented foreign policy, but their success depends on the ability of countries to adapt them to their specific conditions.

This research investigates this issue and aims to identify strategic criteria that can transform foreign policy into an effective tool for economic development. The significance of this study lies in its potential to assist policymakers in designing more effective strategies and to provide a better understanding of the complex interactions between diplomacy and economic development.

 

Methodology

This study adopts a qualitative-interpretive approach combined with quantitative content analysis to investigate key indicators of development-oriented foreign policy models and strategies. Content analysis involves techniques to infer and describe text content through interpretive strategies, with quantitative analysis encompassing description, interpretation, and text reading stages, where key concepts are numerically presented. The conceptual framework, "Development-Oriented Foreign Policy," centers on two pillars: the characteristics of the "developmental state" and the role of development-oriented foreign policy within mainstream international relations literature, providing a foundation for analyzing strategies that link foreign policy with economic development objectives.

 

Results and Discussion

This study’s findings confirm that within the framework of developmental foreign policy, "institutional coordination" and "state-private sector interaction" are identified as core common denominators across theoretical perspectives, underscoring their critical role in ensuring policy coherence and driving economic synergy. Institutional coordination entails aligning policies across governmental and non-governmental entities to create a unified developmental strategy, mitigating conflicts and enhancing efficiency. State-private sector interaction fosters collaboration, leveraging private sector innovation and resources to amplify government-led development initiatives. Additionally, strategies such as "active economic diplomacy and resource mobilization," "the presence of a guiding institution and centralized decision-making structures," and "precise self-awareness and definition of national interests" emerged as highly significant due to their frequent recurrence. Active economic diplomacy involves proactive engagement with global actors to secure investments, expand trade, and facilitate technology transfers. Resource mobilization ensures optimal allocation of domestic and international assets for development projects. A guiding institution provides strategic coherence, aligning foreign policy with long-term economic goals, while self-awareness enables realistic and effective strategy formulation.

The discussion underscores that the success of developmental foreign policy hinges on tailoring strategies to diverse political, economic, and institutional contexts. Effective implementation requires aligning policies with varying regulatory frameworks, bureaucratic efficiencies, and private sector capacities to maximize developmental impact. Core strategies like institutional coordination and state-private sector interaction must be adapted to local conditions to ensure coherence and synergy. Less-emphasized approaches, such as financial governance, public diplomacy, and sustainable, interest-driven relationships, are critical for building economic resilience, reducing external dependency, and enhancing global legitimacy. Financial governance strengthens fiscal stability against global economic shocks, while public diplomacy fosters domestic and international support, amplifying soft power. In a multipolar world, adaptability to shifting global dynamics is essential for sustained progress. The diversity of the 20 identified strategies highlights the need for flexible, context-specific policy designs that balance universal principles with localized priorities. This approach ensures policies are responsive to unique challenges, such as institutional weaknesses or market constraints, while promoting innovation and long-term stability. Policymakers must prioritize adaptive frameworks that integrate these strategies to achieve cohesive, impactful outcomes, reinforcing the transformative potential of developmental foreign policy in fostering sustainable economic growth and global influence.

 

Conclusion

This study aimed to identify common strategic criteria within developmental foreign policy perspectives, revealing it as a multidimensional approach linking economic development with foreign policy, beyond a mere diplomatic tool. The analysis confirmed that "institutional coordination" and "state-private sector interaction" are shared focal points, critical for policy coherence and economic synergy. Strategies like "active economic diplomacy and resource mobilization," "guiding institutions and centralized decision-making," and "precise self-awareness and national interest definition" are also key for sustainable development and global influence. Success hinges on adapting these strategies to each country’s socio-political and economic context.

The study highlighted overlooked dimensions like "financial governance," "public diplomacy," and "sustainable, interest-driven relationships," vital for reducing external dependency and strengthening soft power in a multipolar world. Strategies such as "prioritizing neighbors" and "understanding global shifts" underscore a holistic approach targeting security, growth, and positioning. This research shows developmental foreign policy as a blend of pragmatism and idealism, supported by institutional autonomy and meritocratic diplomacy. Developing nations may need capacity-building for coordination, while those with robust private sectors can deepen partnerships. Financial governance ensures resilience, and public diplomacy boosts legitimacy. This framework fosters economic development, internal cohesion, and global credibility, positioning countries as influential actors. Future research should explore these strategies’ practical application across diverse contexts, refining their adaptability to geopolitical and economic dynamics.

Keywords
International Political Economy
Developmental Foreign Policy
Economic Development
Developmental State
Institutional Coordination

Subjects

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