Contemporary Foreign Government
India
Since the end of the cold war, many countries have continued to align themselves with the nations they perceive as friendly. Such regional realignment is influenced by amongst other factors; geographical factors, strategic reasons, trade needs as well as ideological reasons. India is a former colony of Britain and is the largest democracy in the world. Traditionally, India has been a key ally of Britain and the United States of America. The west and especially the United States of America views India as an important partner in the war against terrorism considering the fact that, the country is strategically located in a region considered hostile to the west.
Despite the fact that India is engaged in nuclear development which is clearly against the United Nations nuclear treaty on disarmament to which it is a signatory, the country has continually enjoyed warm relations with Washington (Kesselman, Krieger, Joseph, pg. 162-189 ). India has traditionally aligned itself with the western states and organisations such as the IMF and the World Bank than it has with the Asian economic block. India is also a member of the common wealth countries and is actively involved in the affairs of United Nations where it participates in a number of ways such as contributing troops to peacekeeping missions undertaken by the United Nations in several troubled parts of the world such as in Liberia.
India embraces United Nations’ efforts especially through efforts geared towards achieving the United Nations’ millennium development goals. India has one of the highest growing economies in the world supported by a vibrant youthful population. However, a social issue such as a highly socially stratified society is a thorny issue for the government. The country is of late engaged in several legislation amendments aimed at achieving a more equal society. Sour relations between India and Pakistan especially the nuclear arms race are another issue which has influenced India’s contemporary policy as well as the political developments in the country. The unfriendly relations with Pakistan imply that the country has to maintain war m relations with the west and also a denoted membership to regional subsystem such as the common wealth.
Japan
Japan’s political discourse has been largely shaped by the effects of the World War II in which it actively participated. Before the world wars, Japan was largely a country, which enjoyed a booming trade and did not command a wide presence in world politics. Unlike countries like Britain, Belgium and France, which had colonies, Japan enjoyed a booming economy and its interests and influences were limited. However its growing interests in global trade occasioned by the need for a greater international influence contributed to its involvement in the World War II. After the World War II Japan’s foreign policy largely shifted towards non-alignment although it has always shown signs of greater cooperation with the United States of America (Pyle, pg.57-89). Therefore Japan has major trade ties with the U.S and its foreign policy is largely bent on seeking greater positive relations with the US.
Both countries cooperate on areas such as military, technological cooperation, as well as bilateral trade ties. Japan maintains warm relations with most of its neighbours although it occasionally differs with North Korea and China, two nations it accuses of aggression. Japan also commands a great international presence especially through agencies such as Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This has seen Japan become an international development partner with many countries specifically in Africa. Its economic models of the 1980’s were largely responsible for its economic boom and a high GDP.
Works cited page
Kesselman, Krieger, Joseph. Introduction to Comparative Politics. 3rd ed.2004 NAIROBI MUNICIPAL COUNCIL NBNHFNHH HHBHRHRG OF KHNFHGGH HNFFH RN
Pyle, K. The making of Modern Japan. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh Press. 1993.