Political Power and Structure

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to political power, governance, and the influence of various actors in the political arena.

Power

The chance of a man or a number of men to realize their own will in a communal action, even against the resistance of others.

Sovereign State

An independent government that has absolute control over its territory, a permanent population, and is recognized by other states.

Nation-State

An ethnic or cultural group with a common defined culture. Nation-states may have a sovereign territory, or they may not. 

Political Parties

Groups of people who have common views about how a government's functions should be organized, typically focused on gaining or maintaining political power.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Organizations independent from the government, focusing on social, economic development, and human rights advocacy.

Privatization

The process of selling state-owned businesses to private companies.

Interest Groups

Formally organized groups that aim to influence public policy.

Hard Power

Using force and money to push a political actor into doing something they may not have otherwise done.

• Thinker: Joseph Nye

• Case Study / Example: 2021, The World Bank suspended funds being sent to Sudan to support their transition into a civilian government. Money was used in order to try to get the military to step back and allow the movement pushing for democracy.

• Components of Coercion (Mechanisms):

  • Stick: Something used to threaten an actor into doing something they don't want to.

  • Carrot: A desirable reward for acting in a way they didn't want to.

  • Sermons: Verbal warnings sent directly to governments condemning the actions of a state or non-state actor.

• Military power as hard power:

  • Case: Russia–Ukraine (2022–present)

  • Focus: Military dominance vs. resistance and alliances.

• Economic power as hard power:

  • Case: China's Belt & Road Initiative (2013–)

  • Focus: 140+ countries involved.

Soft Power

The ability of a country to attract other countries through cultural, institutional, and political values, rather than using military or economic means.

• Thinker: Joseph Nye

• Case Study / Example: Hollywood

• Characteristics:

  • Tend to be slow.

  • States with economic power may attract others to follow their example because the outcomes are beneficial.

• Types of Soft Power:

  • Social Power: Extends its influence by establishing social norms and practices (democracy and human rights were largely rooted in Western policy).

  • Cultural Power: Comes from parts of culture that gain international prominence and acceptance (e.g., Hollywood and Harvard).

Smart Power

The ability of a country to combine the use of both hard and soft power to achieve its foreign policy objectives.

• Thinker: Joseph Nye

Structural Power

Reflects the influence wielded by actors (often states or groups of states, but at times also influential corporations or international institutions). This power is exercised not necessarily by direct coercion or rewards but through the ability to shape and determine the structure of the global political system in a way that advances state interests.

• One Central aspect of structural power is the ability to establish norms. By determining what is viewed as 'normal' or 'acceptable' in international relations - what Nye calls 'agenda setting' - actors can guide the actions of other actors by referring to the structural norms.

• Thinker: Susan Strange

Resistance Movements

Groups that challenge existing power structures but focus on specific government policies rather than broad societal change.

Hegemony

Leadership or dominance secured through consent and cultural influence, not just coercion.

Cyberpower

Using cyberspace to create advantages and influence events. Cyberspace includes the internet, computer networks, information technology, and all our interconnected digital devices.

• Case Study / Example: 2016 US Presidential Election

  • Denigrated Hillary Clinton.

  • Supported Donald Trump.

  • Russian hackers spread sensitive emails.

Power-over

The power of some person or group over some other person or group, often described as 'coercive.'

Control or dominance one group or individual holds over another. Most of the time showing hierarchical structures and leading to oppression or inequality.

• Thinker: Mary Parker Follet

Resource Power

Comes out of the assets an actor possesses, is valued because it is noticeable and often quantifiable.

• Thinker: Nye

• Case Study / Example: The WAR in the DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Power to:

Definition: Involves the ability of an actor to carry out an act. 

• ‘Being able to’

Thinker:Hanna Pitkin

Power with:

Definition: Collective power that comes from collaboration and solidarity among individuals or groups, emphasizing shared goals and mutual support.

-cooperative, active form of power. 

Thinker: Hannah Arendt (On Violence)

Relational Power

Definition: Focuses on the actual outcome or influence that comes out of the resources. “Power conversion”  

Thinker: Nye

-Commanding change: Command others to change their behaviour against their initial preference 

-Establishing preferences: “If I can get you to want what I want, I will not have to force you to do what you do not want to”

-Controlling agendas: “Once the norms and expectations are set, then having the ability to persuade others, or create attraction, so that actors behave along the lines of the established norms and expectations is soft power in actor.”

Resource Power

Definition: Comes out of the assets an actor possesses, is valued because it is noticeable and often quantifiable. 

Thinker: Nye

Case Study / Example: The WAR in the DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Interest groups:

An interest group is a formally organized group of people that aims to influence public policy.

Pressure groups:

are usually found within interest groups, and they directly and openly work towards influencing those with power. 

Informal forums

re gatherings of actors who meet to discuss and debate different perspectives on a political issue. Informal forums are not restricted by a complex structure and rules, which some people think leads to more creative solutions.

Example: The World Economic Forum is an informal forum based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Formal forums

are regulated and have a definitive structure, rules and regulations in place. For example, the UN frequently hosts different formal forums on a wide variety of political issues.

Intergovernmental Organiztaion

two or more states who promise that they will work together on political issues that área of common interest to all. They usulally operate under a signed treatu, so that all states withing the IGO are subject to international law and can held accountable . 

It is important to remember that states make up IGOs and therefore the decisions and actions

taken by IGOs should reflect the decisions of the states involved.

Organized Civil Society:

Organizations or groups of people that área not linked to the government. These organized groups usually have some kind of common purpose and goal. They offer varying perspectives on how to improve society and provoke discussion and debates. 

Private Actors:

They are not directly involved with the government but have the ability to make change and influence people 

• Jeff Bezos 

• Mark Zuckerberg

Social Movements:

Groups of people who share a common concern about how society is functioning attempt to change attitudes and behavior among the social community. 

• Fridays For Future