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22 vocabulary flashcards summarising the main power-related concepts, types and theories discussed in pages 36-43 of the Global Politics Unit 1.2 lecture notes.
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Power (in global politics)
The ability of an actor to influence other actors and achieve desired outcomes.
Hard Power
The use or threat of military or economic force—coercion, inducements, sanctions—to change another actor’s behaviour.
Soft Power
The ability to shape preferences through attraction, negotiation, culture, values and institutions rather than force.
Smart Power
A strategic combination of hard and soft power resources to obtain optimal results.
Structural Violence
Human-made social structures that prevent people from reaching their full potential; institutionalised social injustice.
Structural Power
Power to shape the frameworks—political, economic, security, knowledge—within which other actors must operate.
Relational Power
Power of Actor A to get Actor B to do something B would not otherwise do, often described in first, second and third ‘faces’ of power.
First Face of Power
Visible use of threats or rewards by A to make B change behaviour against B’s preferences; B is aware of the pressure.
Second Face of Power
A controls the decision-making agenda, limiting the strategic options open to B; B may be unaware of this control.
Third Face of Power
A shapes B’s basic beliefs and perceptions so that B accepts or does not notice A’s influence; often cultural/ideological.
Cultural Hegemony
Gramsci’s idea that ruling groups secure consent by making their worldview appear natural through education, religion, law, etc.
Cultural Power
Ability to shape knowledge, beliefs, art, morals and customs within or across societies.
Military Power
Use or threat of armed force to coerce, deter or protect; includes war, alliances and coercive diplomacy.
Economic Power
Use of payments, aid, sanctions or bribes to induce or coerce other actors; leverage derived from economic capability.
Dependency Theory
Perspective that core (centre) countries benefit from and perpetuate the economic dependence of periphery countries.
Post-colonial Society
A society in a formerly colonised country that still experiences the legacies and impacts of colonialism.
Power Over
A domination relationship where one actor decisively controls another; easily obtained but easily abused.
Power With
Collective power arising from alliances or group action toward a common goal; requires cooperation and partnership.
Power Within
Internal empowerment whereby an individual or group gains self-confidence and agency through a transformative process.
Power To
Capacity of an actor to bring about an outcome or resist change—focuses on ability rather than domination.
Intersectional Solidarity
Mutual support among differently oppressed groups who unite to challenge overlapping systems of power.
Coercive Diplomacy
Foreign policy strategy that combines threats or limited force with negotiation to influence another state.