What is doctrine?
Q: What is doctrine?
A: Doctrine is a code of beliefs or "a body of teachings". It can refer to religious dogmas taught by a church, as well as principles of law established through past decisions. In matters of foreign policy, it is a group of fundamental rules for a nation's foreign policy.
Q: What language does the word 'doctrine' come from?
A: The word 'doctrine' comes from Latin, where it is spelled doctrina.
Q: What are some examples of doctrines in foreign policy?
A: Examples include the Monroe Doctrine, the Stimson Doctrine, the Truman Doctrine, the Eisenhower Doctrine, the Nixon Doctrine, the Brezhnev Doctrine, the Kirkpatrick doctrine and the Bush Doctrine.
Q: How do doctrines in foreign policy differ from other types of doctrines?
A: Doctrines in foreign policy are specifically related to how a nation conducts its relations with other countries and sets forth certain expectations or rules that must be followed. Other types of doctrines may relate to religious dogmas taught by churches or principles established through past legal decisions.
Q: Is there one single definition for what constitutes doctrine?
A: No - different contexts may define doctrine differently depending on whether it relates to religious teachings or legal principles or foreign policies.
