National Interest Matrix

Neuchterlein, in National Interests and Presidential Leadership: The Setting of Priorities (1978: 1118), develops what he calls the "national interest matrix," in which these levels of intensity in interest are placed on the horizontal axis, and mapped against four basic types or dimensions of interest national defense, economic wellbeing, favorable world order, and promotion of values which are placed on the vertical axis. The resulting matrix is as follows:

Nature of Interest Intensity of Interest

Core/survival Vital Major Peripheral

In this matrix, a natural equilibrium axis runs from the upper left to the lower right: defense of the homeland is invariably a core or survival interest, while promotion of values in and of themselves (where more immediate concerns are not also involved) is normally likely to be only a peripheral interest.

For any crisis situation, such a matrix can be drawn up for each participant though the matrix will inevitably be subjective, dependent upon the level of intensity with which each nation's leadership perceives its national interests to be involved. Both the concept of this grid and its limitations can be illustrated by a brief consideration of the American experience in Vietnam. For the United States, in the "struggle against

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