The Bureaucratic Politics model is
an interesting model which asserts that any decision made, especially in the
sphere of foreign policy is a result of a number of domestic players trying to
get their interests fulfilled in the best possible way. Their interests vary
depending on their view and conceptions of national security, organizational,
domestic and personal interests. However as everyone cannot be successful to achieve
their goals in the truest sense, the result is usually a satisficing decision unless
a player wields enormous power and is able to influence other players. Even then,
the final decision is a compromise between the major players.
This model is in contrast to Model I
which assumes that there is only one player that makes the decision and that is
the state itself. This is a simplification and ignores the multitude of players
in the domestic arena that influence any particular decision
.
Applying these models to Pakistan
and its involvement in Afghanistan, the current picture would suggest that
under Model I, Pakistan has decided to go after all kinds of terrorist
(jihadists) irrespective of their previous orientation and hence seeks a strong
and friendly relationship with Afghanistan.
The Bureaucratic Politics Model in
explaining this relationship will look at a host of players which will include the
political leadership of Pakistan, the military, religious parties in Pakistan, the
USA and other Western powers. So for example the political leadership may be on
board with going against all kinds of jihadists but the religious parties or
military may not be, considering the soft spot they have had for them in the
past. The reasons could range from sharing the same religion to having some
sort of influence in Afghanistan through a balancing force in the form of
Afghan Taliban. Whatever the compromises the different players had to make, the
official policy stands at going against all terrorists and strengthening the
relationship with Afghanistan. This may or may not stand against the test of
time.
The bureaucratic politics model definitely has its strengths and weaknesses and it is useful to see how it plays out in particular nation-states. I like how you examine it in the context of Pakistan, but I don't think you give it the full range of complexity that it deserves. It would have been nice if you had spent a bit more time exploring how the Pakistani bureaucracy has allowed for political rapprochement with Afghanistan.
ReplyDeleteYou're the only student who has actually stated the example and application of the model so that's a plus. Also, I like how you have maintained a balance in mentioning both the strengths and weaknesses of the model
ReplyDeleteI agree with your stance regarding strength and weaknesses, but unfortunately not one of the models present in International Relations is perfect, every model has its own strength and weaknesses which need to be kept in mind.
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