It points on issues, themes, roles of statesmen, the
social condition of the time or a combination of all factors. So, we can analyze Nigeria foreign policy
from 1960-1965, 1966-1970,
1971-1975, 1976-1979, 1980-1983,
1985-1993, 193-1988, 1988-1999, 2000-2003,2004-2007, 2008-2011 experienced
through military regime and civilian
rule.
Behaviours
are conditioned by the socio-economic background of the time. On the whole, no
nation just wakes up to bomb the other.
Therefore, Iraq argued that if
themes comprise the basis of
analysis, they
are examined across times as well as their influence on the development of relationship on that
note, what is significant to perestroika and glasnost, liberalism, isolationism, autarky,
integration, new international economic
order and economic diplomacy on states. The question here, is, is it possible
for Japan to pursue isolationism in the present century since she has advanced
technologically? Can USA do these
The historical
approach also examines the role of statesmen in their country’s making and
implementation of foreign policies over the
times. Similarly to what extent has ideas, policies, influences and
writing of great leaders like Bismark, Jeferson Kennedy, Roosevelt, Kissinger, Nkuruma, nelson Mandela, Julius
Nyerere , Babangida, Obasanjo determined war
and peace (A.O.Ikelegbe 1995 pg 135). The social conditions under which such poor
economy was ruled, is seen to have
influence their peaceful or warring relations.
Gorbachev’s perestroika
and glasnost was influenced by the poor economy of the time and desired
relation from the west. The historical approach shows the relevance of
historians in international studies till the present time. Whereas the emphasis
has been on description of events in detail with accuracy, no attempt was
theorized to mould what would lead to
policy goals.