The Individual and Foreign Policy

Dr. J. F. Kahn, of Victoria College, though professing to be no speaker, gave a very interesting speech to suplement Dr. Beaglehole's on Civil Liberties. In his opinion, there is very little the individual to do to affect the foreign policy of his country. International relations between states cannot depend upon the will of one state only, but must be bound up with the conception of foreign policy in other countries, and the individuals can do little to influence his country's policy as it is so influenced by that of other slates. Admittedly the average citizen today has the chance to Inform himself on foreign policy much better than the member of Parliament of hundred years ago. But people can be good citizens despite not taking an interest in public and diplomatic affairs. It is not an obligation for good citizenship. Dr. Kahn had in fact advocated the status quo in that he had recommended students to do exactly what they are doing about foreign policy, nothing.