Spain´s Foreign Policy and National Interest

Abstract

After September 11 the concept of national interest plays again a key role in designing and implementing the foreign policy of states. The following text develops the theoretical body of that concept and applies it to the case of the current Spanish Foreign Policy. In brief, it analyzes the evolution of Spanish policies in the international arena in the last years, the changes experienced in its external action, as well as their effects, in terms of gain and loss of power. Some recommendations on its foreign policy orientation and on the approaches to the concept of national interest are given.