nationalinterest

National interest is a central concept in international relations and political science. It refers to the goals and ambitions that guide a state's foreign and domestic policy in pursuit of the security, prosperity, and welfare of its people. While the term is widely used, there is no single universal agreement on its precise content; it is shaped by a state's history, geography, economy, institutions, and leadership.

Core elements typically include national security and territorial integrity, economic prosperity and access to resources, political stability, and the preservation or enhancement of national sovereignty. Additional dimensions may include the promotion of a state's values, ideological influence, and prestige on the world stage. The relative importance of these elements varies over time and across regimes.

In theory, realist approaches treat national interest as primarily defined by power and survival, while liberal and constructivist perspectives emphasize economic interdependence, institutions, values, and social constructs. Policymakers translate national interests into objectives and choose instruments such as diplomacy, alliance-building, military force, sanctions, trade policy, and international institutions.

The concept is often used to justify actions, leading to debates about ethics, prioritization, and misperception. Critics argue that leaders may instrumentalize the national interest to pursue short-term or narrow gains, while supporters maintain it provides coherence to policy.

Domestic factors, including public opinion, interest groups, and bureaucratic politics, influence how national interest is defined and pursued. Real-world examples include balancing against rival powers, securing energy supplies, and shaping global norms through trade and diplomacy.