Labour’s Guiding Light: Foreign Policy Theory and Frameworks under Kier Starmer and David Lammey
In an increasingly multipolar world, traditional approaches to foreign policy may be needed to address today's complex challenges. Recognising this, the Labour Party, under the leadership of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, has embraced a framework known as Progressive Realism. The approach of Progressive Realism offers an alternative to the traditional one, one which harmonises the pragmatic elements of realism – focused on national interest and power – with the aspirations of implementing progressive values in areas of global cooperation, environmental sustainability, or the protection of human rights. It aims to craft a foreign policy that serves national interests by promoting global stability, environmental sustainability, and human rights. This concept is at the heart of what Labour seeks to do on the global stage and will not just guide their actions in theory but is already influencing their actions, such as how they have engaged with the EU and the Middle East.
Progressive Realism
Foundations
Progressive Realism, articulated by Robert Wright and Joseph Nye in 2006, offers a sophisticated approach to foreign policy that seeks to harmonise the traditionally competing ideals of realism and progressivism. At its core, Progressive Realism is grounded in the belief that the primary purpose of foreign policy is to serve national interests. However, this approach diverges from traditional realism by expanding the definition of national interest to include global stability, economic integration and the well-being of other nations. This is due to the world's interconnectedness, where the prosperity and security of one nation are increasingly linked to those of others.
Key principles of Progressive Realism include, but are not limited to:
Realism with a Humanitarian Focus: Progressive Realism maintains the realist commitment to national interest but adapts where global threats like pandemics, climate change, and terrorism cannot be contained within national borders. While Progressive Realists are concerned with the well-being of people in other countries, this concern is driven by an understanding that global problems can directly affect national interests.
Emphasis on International Governance: Progressive Realism supports strengthening international institutions and multilateral cooperation, seeing them as necessary to respond to global issues and manage the challenges. Further, a grand strategy that combines hard and soft power into "smart power" is needed to build and sustain global public goods.
A Balance of Power and Values: Progressive Realism recognises that while a nation may be militarily strong, its ability to influence global outcomes depends on cooperation with other nations and international bodies. This approach calls for a foreign policy that integrates military might with diplomatic efforts, economic engagement, and the promotion of human rights and democracy, but always with a recognition of the practical limits of influence.
Progressive Realism offers a foreign policy framework to align a nation’s interests with global stability and moral responsibility. It advocates for a strategic balance between hard and soft power, a commitment to multilateralism, and a deep understanding of the interconnected nature of today’s global challenges. Progressive Realism provides a path forward that is both pragmatic and aspirational, aiming to ensure that national interest and global well-being are not mutually exclusive but are, in fact, deeply intertwined.
Labour’s Conception
Building off earlier ideas, David Lammy's vision of "Progressive Realism" represents a nuanced framework for guiding the United Kingdom's foreign policy in an increasingly complex and multipolar world. At its core, Lammy’s Progressive Realism advocates using realist methods—such as military strength, strategic alliances, and economic power—not merely to accumulate power in the national self-interest but also to pursue progressive global objectives.
Lammy's approach begins with assessing the UK's capabilities and standing in the global order. He criticises the nostalgia and denial that have characterised recent Governments, emphasising the need for an honest recognition of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Progressive Realism demands this kind of hard-headed realism, where the UK's foreign policy decisions are grounded in a realistic understanding of its strengths, limitations, and, crucially, the global order in which it operates.
One of Lammy’s inspirations is former Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, who championed an "ethical dimension" in foreign policy. Lammy's framework integrates human rights, climate action, and international development into its core. This ethical approach is balanced with a realist perspective that acknowledges the complexities of the global stage. For Lammy, pursuing ideals must be tempered by understanding what is realistically achievable in a world where power is increasingly distributed among multiple new global players, including China, India, and other emerging powers.
Progressive Realism calls for the UK to adapt to this new multipolar world by building strategic partnerships and engaging with non-Western countries on equal terms. Lammy underscores the importance of maintaining and strengthening the UK's security partnerships, particularly with the European Union and NATO. He emphasises the critical necessity of supporting Ukraine's struggle against Russian aggression, framing it as a moral and strategic necessity. Moreover, he highlights the need for a consistent and balanced approach to China, advocating for a strategy that competes with and cooperates with Beijing as circumstances dictate.
Lammy’s intention to reset relations with the European Union is a practical embodiment of Progressive Realism. In the wake of Brexit, re-establishing solid ties with the EU is crucial for the UK’s economic stability and maintaining influence within a critical regional bloc. By prioritising renewed cooperation with the EU, Lammy is aligning the UK’s national interest with broader European security and economic integration, demonstrating a pragmatic yet forward-looking foreign policy that seeks to mitigate the disruptions caused by Brexit while fostering long-term regional collaboration.
Further, Lammy’s engagement with the United States to address global security challenges, particularly China's rise, forms a key pillar of his foreign engagement. Recognising the importance of a solid and stable transatlantic relationship, Lammy has prioritised maintaining and strengthening the UK-US alliance, regardless of the political leadership in the United States. Lemmy believes he can connect better with the Americans due to personal circumstances and relationships, build deep ties that influence the US, and help shape global politics. This bilateral relationship is essential for addressing immediate threats, such as those posed by Russia, and navigating the complex power dynamics in Asia.
David Lammy highlights the connection between domestic prosperity and global influence, advocating for enhanced UK economic diplomacy. He calls for strengthening trade ties with key partners like Europe, India, and the United States and positioning the UK in the global clean technology investment race. Lammy critiques the UK's historically low investment levels, emphasising that a robust economy underpins national prosperity and international influence. Further, Lammy sees the climate crisis as the defining challenge of the century. He proposes creating a "clean power alliance" to lead global decarbonisation, aiming for the UK to reclaim leadership in the green transition through renewable energy investments and international partnerships.
Lammy’s focus on using economic statecraft to combat kleptocracy and promote the rule of law internationally is a clear example of Progressive Realism in practice. His anti-corruption proposals are designed to safeguard the UK’s national interests by ensuring that corrupt regimes do not exploit the global financial system, which can undermine both economic stability and security. By leading efforts to clamp down on illicit financial flows and championing transparency in global governance, Lammy is protecting the UK’s economic integrity and reinforcing its moral leadership on the international stage.
Lammy also stresses the importance of partnering with the Global South, advocating for a fairer approach that respects sovereignty and promotes cooperation on global challenges like climate change and economic inequality. Additionally, he addresses the need for global collaboration on regulating emerging technologies, particularly AI, to prevent misuse and ensure equitable development.
Differentiation in Concepts
While sharing some core principles with Robert Wright and Joseph Nye's version, David Lammy's conception of Progressive Realism diverges in theory and application. This divergence has led to critical feedback, particularly from Wright, who has expressed concerns about the efficacy and distinctiveness of Lammy’s approach.
Robert Wright's critique of David Lammy's Progressive Realism argues that it deviates from the true essence of realism as understood in international relations, where real realism involves accepting nations as they are and focusing on managing relations with them rather than actively reshaping their internal structures. He contends that Lammy’s emphasis on promoting democracy and human rights risks falling into the same pitfalls as past interventions that sought to impose Western values, often through military force. Rather than walk the tightrope of intervention, Wright focuses on leading by example and working collectively at the international level to incentivise states to change internal structures. Wright further argues that Lammy's approach is not sufficiently distinct from the neoconservative and mainstream liberal policies that have contributed to escalating global tensions.
Furthermore, Wright argues that Lammy’s focus is on international governance. At the same time, a step in the right direction is not ambitious enough, given the scale of global challenges. Wright believes that true Progressive Realism should push for a much more robust form of global governance that moves beyond national interests and seeks to build a planetary-level rule of law that addresses these existential threats. He criticises Lammy for not fully embracing the need for this radical shift, which Wright sees as essential for managing the complexities of technological evolution and ensuring global stability.
Conclusion
Progressive Realism offers a dynamic framework for navigating the complexities of the modern global landscape, providing a pragmatic and aspirational path forward. As nations face increasingly interconnected challenges, the principles of Progressive Realism emphasise the importance of multilateral cooperation, ethical leadership and the strategic use of power. Ultimately, these principles signify a paradigm shift in the UK’s foreign policy that will guide its relations with allies, conduct towards conflict and how they choose to prepare for war itself.