Opportunities and Constraints of the International System and Foreign Policy (Case Study: Iran and Malaysia)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD Candidate in International Relations, Islamic Azad University, Sciences and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor of Political Geography, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Foreign policy is a phenomenon influenced by a combination of structural factors, internal political dynamics regional and international issues.The structure of the international system is limiting behavior of the states. Waltz argues that the international system to define behavior of states and foreign policies is mainly an attempt to adapt to the pressures of the international system. Waltz says that international politics is the politics of the great powers; He believes that the structure of the international system after the Cold War has a unipolar structure in which America is the undisputed power. Despite the weakening of America's economic hegemony in the past three decades, USA is still the most influential international actor. However, small and medium-sized states in the existing structure, are the relatively able to pursue their development goals. Among these countries, we can compare Iran and Malaysia. Malaysia is located almost in the heart of the East Asian region, South-East Asia, and now became one of the important   regions in the global economy, living in peace and stability; Iran is located in the Middle East as an unstable region, war of all against all. This status of regional issues is affected by the influence of great powers on foreign policy of the two countries. The conditions in the Middle East, in addition to the constraints of the international system, have failed Iran foreign policy. The presence of several powers such as China and Japan, along with America, in the East Asia, provided Malaysia's with economic competitive advantage they enjoy of the international system. In other words, presence of foreign powers in East Asia gave a good opportunity to Malaysia and the presence in Middle East was not an opportunity for Iran. The membership of Malaysia in "ASEAN", A functional subset of the local conditions of access to capital and technology, provided economic benefits for members. But membership of Iran in the ECO is not a good benefit. In other words, Malaysia was able to take advantage of the opportunities but Iran was not able to use them and considered the opportunities as a treat to security. 
Methodology
In this study, we used a comparative method by which the two countries of Iran and Malaysia have generally been compared. Then, the two countries have many in common in three dimensions of "the regional system", "benefit from the advantages of regional organizations", and membership in the ECO and ASEAN. These have positive and negative effects on economic development of the states. 
Results and discussion
The structure of the international system can create opportunities for policy. Many of the decisions and foreign policies are in response to the behavior of other international actors. International systems of all activities can shape international relations. Malaysia is located almost in the heart of the East Asian region and is composed of two parts, East and West Malaysia an area that already has become one of the raised areas of the global economy with peace and stability. Malaysia has a good and constructive relation with all countries of the world and in taking its own development policies, could play important role in economic development as a newly industrialized country. Iran is a country in Southwest Asia, and has geopolitical and geostrategic potentials in the Persian Gulf, in the heart of the Middle East. Iran has two major oil fields of the world in Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea. Iran is in the Middle East, a region critical and convulsions. The regional conditions have changed the impact of the structure of international and major powers over foreign policy between the two countries. Conditions in the Middle East, America gives obstacles, particularly in terms of its impact on Iran's foreign policy, and has limited the development process at the same time; while in East Asia, China and Japan with America, in addition to adjusting the limits of this power, improved technology, capital and the Malaysian economy.
Conclusion
The international system and the major powers as "independent variable" and the sub-region as "intermediate variables" have affected foreign policy of Iran and Malaysia. Political and economic cooperation in the region could limit the power of Malaysia's foreign policy and have taken advantage of the competitive power in favor of economic development. Despite the harsh positions, especially during the critical Malaysia Mahathir Mohammad, the state has a foreign policy that successfully pursued its development. While America's hegemonic supremacy in the Middle East and the impact of the sanctions and the use of existing multilateral presence in the world order as the independent variable limited Iran's foreign policy. Lack of economic integration, as the independent variable in the international system, creates limitations for Iran's foreign policy. It has strengthened Iran's foreign policy in reaching the development goals. America in the Persian Gulf is the main power that influences the region, including Iran. Using tools such as sanctions, multilateral pressure on international organizations and countries, especially Iran's neighbors in southern boundaries, the US attempts to create limitations and obstacles in the way of Iran's foreign policy. The dominant power in Southeast Asia with other major powers such as China and Japan and strong institutions "such as the ASEAN" are competitive in the balance.  That is why the countries like Malaysia with a more suitable space can advance their foreign policy towards economic development. 

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Main Subjects

References

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Human Geography Research
Volume 51, Issue 2
July 2019
Pages 453-469

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History

  • Receive Date: 28 May 2016
  • Revise Date: 14 January 2017
  • Accept Date: 14 January 2017

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