Power and developments

Hard power

The use of military or economic force to influence the behaviour or interests of other political bodies

Soft power

The ability to attract and co-opt and to shape the preferences of other through appeal and attraction

Great power

State that is recognised as having the ability and expertise to exert its influence on a global scale.

Superpower

State with a dominant position in international relations, pre-eminent among great powers, and characterised by its unparalleled ability to exert influence or project power on a global scale.

Emerging power

State that is considered to be rising, primarily in economic power and influence.

Polarity

Describes the nature of the international system at any given time in terms of how power is distributed.

Unipolarity

International system in which there is one dominant pole

Bipolarity

International system revolving around 2 poles

Multipolarity

International system revolving around 3 or more poles

Democratic state

A state with a system of government in which all the people are involved in making decisions about its affairs.

Semi-democratic state

A stable state that combines democratic and authoritarian elements.

Non-democratic state

A state that lacks the central characteristics of a democratic state.

Autocratic state

A state that is ruled by a single person with unlimited power.

Failed state

A state that is unable to operate as a viable political unit

rogue state

A state that has a foreign policy that poses a threat to other states.