Types of power + definitions

What are the levels of analysis?

global, international, regional, national, local, community

What is power?

The ability to exert influence and control over others to achieve one’s purposes and goals.

What is sovereignty?

The ability of a state to govern itself

What is legitimacy?

Right of an actor to exercise power and make decisions

What is interdependence?

The mutual alliance between groups, organisations and states for access to resources necessary to sustain living

includes access to:

* economic i.e. trade
* security i.e. defense arrangements
* sustainability i.e. environmental treaties

Key difference between left and right wing ideology

Balance between individual liberty and government power.

What are the beliefs of left wing ideology?

* Supportive of change
* Believe in government interference in market
* Tend to have more progressive views
* Want an equal society
* State should play big role in lives

What are the beliefs of right wing ideology?

* Supportive of the status quo
* Tend to have more conservative, traditional views
* Believe inequality is inevitable
* State should play little role in our lives
* Government should leave the market alone

Why does politics refer to ‘affairs of the state’

Not exclusively about the state but is an exercise in power.

Usually involves those who wield power, which is largely those in government positions.

How can politics be described + why?

Who gets what, when and how.

Like this since we have limited resources so it’s about how these are divided.

What is an actor?

Anyone who has sufficient power and the will to exercise this power to influence the political process and outcomes.

What is a state actor?

* derives authority from state
* acts to promote interests of state

i.e. government, PMs, president

What is a non-state actor?

* does not derive authority from the state
* does not act in interest of the state
* is not served by interests of the state

i.e. NGOs, Charities, EU, UN

What is a sub-state actor?

* is not directly apart of the state
* acts on behalf of the state

i.e. corporations, local government

Difference between power conversion and realised power

Power conversion: potential power

i.e. resources you have

Realised power: what you can actually achieve with these resources

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e.g. Russia was thought to be a big military power prior to war w Ukraine (potential power).

However, Putin appointed himself head of the military without any military experience (realised power)

How is power shifting?

Away from: raw materials, geography, population, military

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Towards: education, economic growth, technology

Power is not….

FIXED!

Actors can become more or less powerful through deliberate decisions or elements beyond their control

What is hard power?

An actor trying to achieve its aims through force or coercion

How does hard power work?

State A (more powerful) forces State B (less powerful) to do what it wants against its will

1. Current example of hard power

Early Feb… A hard power coincidence?

* USA to reach military base agreement in the Phillipines
* Chinese Spy balloon spotted flying of USA

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Phillipines is close to China. China felt threatened. Used its resources to make America feel threatened

2. Current example of hard power

Russia felt threatened by NATO’s expanding border along Russia.

Russia attacked Ukraine, who was coming closer to joining NATO.

What is soft power?

Building a relationship between nations rather than relying on fear.

Convincing that your values are universal

How does soft power work?

State A persuades State B without them knowing that their values align so they want the same outcome.

How can we build soft power?

1. Culture i.e. music, tv shows, literature, celebs
2. Political values i.e. democracy, respect for HR
3. Foreign policy i.e. acting within expected norms

1. Current example of soft power

Volodymyr Zelensky addresses US congress (2022)

* convinced of aligned values
* brought flage signed by Ukrainian soldiers

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out of meeting, got missiles 😎 #success

2. Current example of soft power

* Movies - Top Gun
* Music - K Pop
* Events - World Cup

What is smart power?

Using a combination of hard and soft power to achieve political outcomes

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Can be used coercively or cooperatively

How does smart power work?

State A considers the motivations of State B and develops a mix of hard and soft power strategies to affect change

1. Current example of smart power

* Countries providing aid after a natural disaster

i.e. aid provided after recent Turkey/ Syria earthquake

2. Current example of smart power

Sanctions placed on Russia by other countries

* import of Russian goods
* cutting of energy imports

What is sharp power?

Approach involving censorship and manipulation to destroy the integrity of the target state.

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Limits free expression and distorts political environment

How does sharp power work?

State A manipulates other states to destroy the integrity and credibility of target states

Current example of sharp power

2016 presidential elections

* Russia is believed to have spread misinformation about Hillary Clinton
* Done to improve Trump’s chance at a presidential victory

What is unilateralism?

* A country acts independent of all other states

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i.e. Trump withdrawing America from the Paris Climate Agreement when he became president

What is multilateralism?

* A country acts cooperatively with other states
* Objective = can achieve more together

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i.e. Biden rejoined America in the Paris Climate Agreement in 2021 when he became president

What is military power?

* essential when using hard power

> military resources = force another into compliance
* most powerful states:

= large armies

= advanced weapons

= willingness to use military power

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i.e. Many are concerned if Ukraine gets too close to beating Russia, Russia will use nuclear weapons to end war and guarantee victory

When is military power less useful?

* Against non-state actors or large opposition groups

i.e. USA in Afghanistan (withdrew forces in 2020)
* Hard to find support and legitimacy for nuclear action

i.e. Russia invading Ukraine

When is military power useful?

* check advances of non-state groups who threaten sovereignty

i.e. The Islamic State
* Protect civilians
* Can be used to prevent suffering after a disaster

i.e. Turkey + Syria earthquake

What is economic power?

* Measured through:

> GDP = size of domestic output

> GDP/ person

> Economic Growth

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Unlikely for a state to be a military power if not an economic power because military is expensive 🤑

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What is socio-cultural power?

* globalisation has made it possible for countries to export their resources around the world

i.e. TV, movies
* they use this to influence others

= soft power

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Connects diverse populations at a human level, rather than state level