The concept of national interest has been a subject of serious international focus since the end of the Second World War. For Hans morganthan, 1967 the objectives of foreign policy must be defined and situated in terms of national interest because " interest is the perennial standard by which political actions must be judged"Hans feels that the national interest must also be defined in terms of power and capability. Power as a concept cannot be separated from national interest because power is the principal instrument for the realization of national interest. Power is made up of several elements such as geography, size, population, economy, and institutions of society, leadership quality and national moral.
National interest is an ambiguous concept. It is also elusive. It is not about a single objective truth. rather it is a pluralistic set of objectives and value preferences which is at one end is constant and at the other end continues to change "whenever the requirements and aspirations of the nations'members changes.
National interest could be classified into three categories. That's the primary, secondary and general interest.
Primary interest is the most vital interest of the state and it has to do with national security.. Yeah. It deals with the defence territorial sovereignty and independence of the state.
Secondary interest is also known as national welfare, it deals with a country's desire to protect the financial, technical and related interest or her citizens abroad.
General interest can also be called national prestige, it deals with the desire of a state to make it's impact felt at the world stage. This could be on matters of global peace and security, commerce and international trade, research, health and sports.