national interest
Sovereign policy goals
National interest refers to a country's goals and priorities as a political entity—security, economic prosperity, territorial integrity, and influence abroad.
Politicians invoke it to justify policies: We must act in the national interest.
The phrase often assumes a unified interest exists, though citizens may disagree sharply about what serves the nation: Critics argued the trade deal was against the national interest.
International relations strategy
- treatyBinding pact between nations
- ambassadorOfficial foreign representative
- allianceFormal union of parties
- bilateralInvolving two parties
multilateral · summit · negotiation · embassy · envoy · statecraft · geopolitics · diplomatic relations
Protection against harm
- militaryArmed forces collectively
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- counterterrorismCombating organized political violence
- cybersecurityProtection of digital systems
surveillance · border control · threat assessment · strategic assets · classified information · espionage · readiness · resilience
Inherited cultural legacy
- cultureCollective social practices
- valuesPrinciples held worthwhile
- traditionsLong-established customs passed down
- languageSystem of symbolic communication
collective memory · cultural preservation · shared history · founding myths · patriotism · civic values · cultural identity · anthem
Independent decision-making capacity
- independenceFreedom from external control
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
- statehoodCondition of being sovereign
noninterference · self-governance · domestic affairs · political independence · legitimacy · sovereign rights · governance · territorial waters
Exchange of commodities
- tariffsTaxes on imports
- importsGoods brought in
- exportsGoods sold abroad
- GDPNational output abbreviation
economic growth · fiscal policy · monetary policy · trade deficit · trade agreements · sanctions · protectionism · foreign investment
foreign policy
International relations strategy
- treatyBinding pact between nations
- ambassadorOfficial foreign representative
- allianceFormal union of parties
bilateral · multilateral · summit · negotiation · embassy · envoy · statecraft · geopolitics · diplomatic relations · accord
defense
Protection against harm
- militaryArmed forces collectively
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- counterterrorismCombating organized political violence
cybersecurity · surveillance · border control · threat assessment · strategic assets · classified information · espionage · readiness · resilience · risk management
heritage
Inherited cultural legacy
- cultureCollective social practices
- valuesPrinciples held worthwhile
- traditionsLong-established customs passed down
language · collective memory · cultural preservation · shared history · founding myths · patriotism · civic values · cultural identity · anthem · flag
autonomy
Independent decision-making capacity
- independenceFreedom from external control
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
statehood · noninterference · self-governance · domestic affairs · political independence · legitimacy · sovereign rights · governance · territorial waters · airspace
trade
Exchange of commodities
GDP · economic growth · fiscal policy · monetary policy · trade deficit · trade agreements · sanctions · protectionism · foreign investment · currency
- foreign policydiplomacy, diplomatic negotiations, sanctions, containment, deterrence
- geopoliticsbalance of power, bipolarity, bloc, blocs, brinkmanship
- Global Politicsforeign affairs, global affairs, world politics, foreign relations, diplomatic relations
- nationalismpatriotism, America First, folk heroes, patriotic art, anthems
- Realpolitikbalance of power, power politics, statecraft, geopolitics, hegemony
- protectionismprotectionism, trade barriers, tariffs, import quotas, trade restrictions
national interestcosmopolitanism
Belief in shared humanity
globalism · internationalism · universalism · supranationalism · transnationalism
national interestmoral principle
Rule of right conduct
ethical obligation · idealism · altruism · human rights · universal values
interest, nation, national, nationalism, international, multinational, nationalist, nationalize, nationalists