Still others value power and seek ways to increase their authority over others. Most people act according to their own perception of what is best for them. On the national level, citizens look to their leaders to carry out policies that promote their nation s self-interest, or national interest. But not all citizens of a nation agree on what is best. Perceptions of national interest vary from person to person and evolve over time.
National interest is a combination of the security, economic, and ideological concerns of a nation.
Even though every nation in the world tries to meet certain basic needs so it can survive and develop, each nation is unique and has its own set of concerns. Others, like Niger or Malaysia, seek to develop their natural resources so they can trade them for food and other commodities. Nations such as Japan and the United States have relatively little difficulty feeding their people and are more concerned with the continued growth of their industrial economies. Teacher's Guide 48 pages. All text and images copyright 1999 Close Up Foundation Close Up is a registered trademark of the Close Up Foundation.