Hrytsenko A. State Foreign Policy Strategic Planning: Theoretical and Conceptual Aspects

The thesis is devoted to the study of the theoretical and conceptual framework of foreign policy planning. The study analyses in detail the phenomenon of strategic culture. The thesis systematises the views of scholars on the phenomenon of strategic culture. It was determined that strategic culture is understood as a complex of historically formed and inherited concepts, common beliefs that form the collective identity of the people, values that determine state interests, and norms that influence the stateʼs choice of means by which it can best realise its goals. These constituent elements are the main factors that influence the state’s behaviour on the world stage. The relationship between strategic culture and strategic thinking is studied. It is noted that a worldview creates a specific type of thinking which is characteristic of an individual in particular and of the nation as a whole. This specific type of thinking at the state level is manifested in strategic thinking, the result of which is the adoption of an adequate strategic decision. Strategic thinking is reflected in behaviour: the formulation of national interests, the decision-making process, setting goals and addressing crisis situations. That is, strategic thinking is the basis of the state strategic planning system due to which the state builds the main directions of the national security policy. In other words, a certain type of thinking is reflected in a certain model of behaviour, which is the embodiment of strategic culture.