Question

In foreign policy, are sticks more effective tools than carrots or vice versa? Why?

Answer 1

Carrots are more effective tools than sticks in foreign policy

Foreign Policymakers generally adopt two primary tools either positive incentives or pressure while introducing international policy. Here Carrot represents inducement or incentive that promises pleasure or profit and stick represents pressure or threat to cause pain or punishment.

Positive incentives are sometimes a more effective means of changing regime and enhancing foreign security. Positive incentives might encourage some states to uphold preventive standards only in return for some rewards. Several recent studies argue that positive incentives have become important policy instruments which allow states to meet their international security challenges.

Sometimes Carrots and sticks can be applied simultaneously or sometimes one after another. It depends on the particular circumstances prevailing in between two countries.

For example, after the terrorist attacks on September 11, America used sticks against Pakistan. It is of course a different matter that neither carrots nor sticks or together may guarantee success but still positive incentives are more effective as compared to pressure in foreign policy.