Power and Diplomacy

5 characteristics of power

1. power is dynamic: state capability fluctuates

2. power has objective and subjective aspects: sometimes perception of capability matters as much as empirical ability

3. power is relative: weak/strong in relation to who?

4. power is situational: certain types of power only valuable in certain contexts

5. power is multidimensional

7 dimensions of power

1. military capabilities

2. geography of country – big/small, near allies?

3. population – size, also support for govt/morale

4. economic factors

5. communications and transport infrastructure

6. nature of govt and political elites

7. social cultural and ideological influence

3 balances of power + define

1. multipolar: several countries of similar power coexist, e.g. in Middle East, most of the world

2. Bipolar: 2 main powers on equal standing, relatively stable due to clear hierarchy – e.g., during Cold War

3. unipolar: one power so strong it eclipses all others, strict hierarchy, has never existed and if it did it would end the modern state system

diplomacy definition

sum of all formal international interactions at a given time – incl. general diplomacy and what diplomats specifically do

6 characteristics of formal diplomacy

1. highly standardized, ritualized, and enshrined in international law

2. primary goal of almost all formal diplomatic action = allow govts to communicate

3. various secondary aims incl. promoting one's country, trade agreements, consular services, etc.

4. formal diplomacy carried out by specialized staff governed by intl treties such as Vienna Convention 1963

5. traditionally international diplomacy has been bilateral, increasingly more multilateral

6. intl rules are very rarely broken because people want the reciprocal respect