Political Power Slides

Political power

the ability to

influence others' behavior,

thoughts, or decisions, even in the

face of resistance

Robert Dahl

defined

power as A's ability to get B to do

something B would not otherwise

do

3 faces of power defined by Lukes, S.

1. Direct Power (First Face): The most visible form of power, involving

direct decision-making and observable behavior. Examples include voting

in parliament or issuing executive orders.

2. Agenda-Setting Power (Second Face): The ability to control what issues

are discussed and decided upon. This form of power determines which

matters reach the decision-making stage and which remain hidden from

public view.

3. Ideological Power (Third Face): The capacity to shape people's

perceptions, preferences, and worldviews. This subtle form of power

influences how individuals understand their own interests and options.

Institutional sources of political power

Political institutions provide formal authority and legitimacy to power holders. Constitutions, laws,

and organizational structures create frameworks within which power operates. For instance, the

separation of powers in democratic systems distributes authority among different branches of

government, creating checks and balances

Economic sources of pol. power

Economic resources significantly influence political power. Wealth can translate into political

influence through campaign contributions, lobbying efforts, and control over media outlets. The

relationship between economic and political power often raises questions about democratic

equality and representation.

Social and cultural sources of pol. power

Social capital, cultural authority, and ideological leadership represent crucial sources of power.

Religious institutions, educational systems, and media organizations shape public opinion and

social norms, thereby exercising significant political influence

Quantitative methods of measuring power

1. Surveys and Polls

• Used to measure perceptions of power, legitimacy, and influence among populations.

• Example: Surveying citizens about trust in government institutions or the perceived

influence of lobbying groups.

2. Network Analysis

• Examines relationships and connections among actors (individuals, organizations,

states) to map power dynamics.

• Example: Studying the influence of policy networks or lobbying groups in legislative

processes.

3. Content Analysis

• Quantifies the frequency or prominence of certain ideas, words, or themes in media,

political speeches, or documents.

• Example: Analyzing media coverage of political campaigns to assess how power is

framed.

4. Statistical Modeling

• Uses regression analysis, factor analysis, or structural equation

modeling to identify patterns and causal relationships.

• Example: Examining the impact of economic power (e.g., GDP,

trade dominance) on global political influence.

5. Comparative Analysis

• Systematic comparison of cases (e.g., countries, institutions,

regimes) to study how power operates in different contexts.

• Example: Comparing voter turnout and its impact on policy

outcomes across democracies.

Beckley’s argument in “The Power of Nations: Measuring what Matters”

traditional measures of national power (like GDP and military spending) are

deeply flawed because they only measure gross resources without accounting for the costs and

constraints that limit how effectively nations can use those resources

Soft power

Involves non-coercive means such as cultural diplomacy, political

values, and economic success models to influence other states

Hard power

Relies on military force and economic sanctions, exemplified by

historical events like the German invasion of Poland and UN sanctions on Iraq

Forms of hard power

•Military capability

•Economic coercion

•Direct control mechanisms

forms of soft power

•Cultural influence

•Diplomatic persuasion

•Ideological attraction

forms of structural power

Institutional frameworks

•Economic systems

•Social hierarchies

Examples of soft power in entertainment

1. south Korean cultural wave (Hallyu)

2. American entertainment

Educational soft power: Academic influence

1. Western Universities

2. China’s Educational Initiatives

Technological soft power: digital influence

Silicon Valley

•Global impact of companies like Apple, Google, and Meta

•Setting technological standards and trends

•Influencing digital culture and communication

•Shaping internet governance and cyber norms

Digital Platforms

•TikTok's global cultural influence

•Social media shaping political discourse

•Digital payment systems influencing financial behavior

•E-commerce platforms affecting consumer habits

International Aid and Development

1.European Union

2.China's Belt and Road Initiative

European Union

1.Environmental leadership and climate policy

2.Development aid programs

3.Democratic values promotion

4.Human rights advocacy

China’s Belt and Road Initiative

1.Infrastructure development in partner countries

2.Economic cooperation frameworks

3.Cultural exchange programs

4.Technical assistance and training

Findings of measuring soft power

• Advanced economies generally score higher on soft power metrics

• There's a strong correlation between soft power and economic

development

• Soft power capabilities have significant impact on international trade and

investment flows

• Digital connectivity and technological advancement increasingly shape

soft power

United States

Hard Power

1.Military presence globally

2.Economic sanctions

3.Defense alliances

Soft Power

1.Hollywood entertainment

2.Higher education

3.Democratic ideals

4.Technological innovation

China

Hard Power

1.Military modernization

2.Economic leverage

3.Territory assertions

Soft Power

1.Belt and Road Initiative

2.Confucius Institutes

3.Development assistance

4.Cultural diplomacy

The US historically has maintained the largest worldwide audience through

1.Hollywood productions and major networks (ABC, NBC, CBS,

etc.)

2.Streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and

Amazon Prime

3.Global distribution networks for TV shows

4.Historic dominance in exporting entertainment formats and

content

Jennifer Lind “Back to Bipolarity”

the international system is returning to bipolarity, with China emerging

as the second superpower alongside the United States. However, this emerging bipolarity differs

significantly from the Cold War version

Key Arguments in Back to Bipolarity

1. Unlike the Soviet Union, China's challenge is primarily economic and technological rather than

ideological. China has deeply integrated itself into the global economy and international institutions.

2. The new bipolarity is characterized by economic interdependence between the two powers, making

traditional containment strategies less viable and more costly.

3. China's power projection capabilities and strategy differ from the Soviet Union's - focusing more on

regional dominance, maritime power, and economic influence rather than global military confrontation.

4. The alliance structures are more complex - while the US maintains traditional alliances, China has

developed a network of economic partnerships and infrastructure projects (like Belt and Road

Initiative).

5. Technology competition, particularly in areas like AI, 5G, and quantum computing, is a crucial

battleground in this new bipolar system.