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Power and Developments
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Detailed, thorough notes on Power and Developments based on the suggested Edexcel A-Level textbook
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Power and DevelopmentRameta Ramanen
Key Definitions:
hard power: the use of military and economic means to influence the behaviour or interests
of other political bodies
soft power:based on attraction and identification, sharing common values and ideas
('cultural power')
great power:a state that is recognised as having the ability and expertise to exert its
influence on a global scale
superpower:a 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:a state that is considered to be rising, primarily in economic power and
influence
polarity: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 two poles
multipolarity:international system revolving around three 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 system that combines democratic and authoritarian
features
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
Different types of power
Power is the ability to exert influence over others to do something they would otherwise not do; it is
not related to legality or authority, but related to having the resources, military might,
persuasiveness or integrity to make others do what you want.
The use and effectiveness of types of power
Hard power is command or coercive power (the ability to make others do what you want, or to use
some form of incentive to get what you want); it encompasses military and economic rewards and
punishments.
Military power is the capability of a state to commit an aggressive act against another state, up to
and including a full-scale conflict. Examples include:
China: its economic power has grown and so its military has expanded (in 2009, it spend $70
billion on military but by 2016, it was $150 billion)
, Russia used its six day invasion of Georgia in 2008 to retaliate against Georgia's suppression
of Russian nationalist separatists in South Ossetia
The Iraq War (2003) principally had the intention to subdue American's enemies in the
Middle East
Economic power involves inducements or incentives to a state to act according to the wishes of
another state (e.g. economic sanction - penalties including trade barriers and fines - and trade
agreements). Examples include:
long running sanctions against South Africa (1986-94) by the USA, Japan and the EEC in
attempt to end the racist apartheid regime - prevented trade in certain commodities
the EU has imposed sanctions against Russia over its military support for Russian nationalist
separatists in Ukraine since 2014; this included freezing of assets held in the EU or associates
of Putin and his government
The effectiveness of hard power is questioned. For example, China may have increased its military
capability, but it has not been able to assert its legal claims over the South China Sea or establish
military superiority in the region. US bases in Japan, South Korea, etc effectively encircle China.
Russia's intervention over South Ossetia has left the area in limbo, but Georgia has not been able to
suppress the Russian nationalist movement there. Sanctions have been unsuccessful in bringing
about a withdrawal of Russian support for the separatists in eastern Ukraine, the outcome of the
Iraq War is that the USA's power has reduced in the Middle East and has given rise of more terrorism
and instability. Sanctions against the apartheid regime in South Africa may have contributed to the
emergence of black majority rule in the country but the sanctions were not enforced by many
important trading countries and domestic factors were probably more important.
The effectiveness of the 'carrot' in trade agreements in promoting human rights is debatable
because countries seeking to make trade agreements are usually already on a path to
democratisation, the adoption of rule of law and the protection of rights, and western states
promote human rights but turn a blind eye when important trading partners have lower standards
than they would like. An example of the latter point is China; every Western leader who meets
Chinese representatives lecture them about China's human rights record, but concrete action is
lacking.
Military power and inter-state conflict is declining whereas economic interdependence is on the rise,
meaning economic sanctions or trade agreements are more likely to be used to extend influence. In
2016, European states chose to use economic sanctions as their main tool in persuading Russia to
withdraw its support for the Russian separatists in Ukraine; there was no immediate prospect of
military intervention on behalf of the Ukraine.
Soft power is based on attraction and identification, sharing common values and ideas - or 'cultural
power'. The UK and the EU are widely recognised as leading 'soft powers'. The UK may be seen as a
soft power because English is the most common second-language in the world; this is a product of
British imperialism and the global influence of the US. There is much familiarity and admiration for
British culture across the world. Britain also has taken a leading role in the formation of international
organisations (e.g. the Council of Europe 1948), is a member of the UN Security Council and is a
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