HS L2 - What Makes a State Powerful?

Question 1

Definition of aims and their link to states

Answer 1

• Aims are what states want to achieve
• The ability to achieve aims is evidence of a state’s power or influence

Question 2

Common aims of states

Answer 2

• Maintain sovereignty
• Ensure national security
• Economic prosperity
• Regional relationships
• International standing

Question 3

Definition of roles

Answer 3

• What states do/actions they’re responsible for

Question 4

State roles

Answer 4

Overarching roles:
- Protect the state’s vital interests
- Protect political independence
- Protect territorial sovereignty
Specifically;
- Maintain an army
- Maintain diplomatic relations/negotiate treaties
- Represent the state in IGOs (UN, IMF, WTO)

Question 5

Military power

Answer 5

Definition:
- the use of a state’s military to exert influence over the actions of other global actions (may only require placement of troops/military exercises)
Comprised of:
- the size of a state’s army
- the type and caliber of their equipment
Uses:
- Threatened use of force
- Military exercises
- Advertising improvements in capacity/capability
- Testing of arsenals
- Actual use of force

Question 6

Economic power

Answer 6

Definition:
- a state’s ability to influence the actions of another state through finance or trade
Assessed by:
- GDP/GDP per capita
- Reliance on imports
- Economic growth
- Budget outcomes
Uses:
- Tariffs
- Supplying loans
- Foreign aid
- Sanctions
- Foreign investment

Question 7

Diplomatic power

Answer 7

Definition:
- power accrued through the state’s relationships with others in the form of alliances or alignments
- essentially, it’s the ability of a state to influence others through discussion and negotiation
Uses:
- Membership in IGOs (UN)
- Membership in alliances (NATO)
- Membership in regional groupings (EU)
- Trade arrangements (China-Australia Free Trade Agreement)
- Summit diplomacy
- Public denouncement

Question 8

Cultural power

Answer 8

Definition:
- a desirable and transportable culture that states can use to achieve ends that can’t be achieved through hard power
Uses:
- Exhibitions
- Educational programs (Confucius Institutes)
- Exchanges (Student)
- Broadcasting of news/cultural programs
- Gifts to other states (Pandas)
- Promotion/explanation of ideas/social policies

Question 9

Political power

Answer 9

Definition:
- the use of a state’s internal political machinery to exert influence on the actions of others
Political ability:
- Ease of law passing
- Legitimacy of the government
Uses:
- Passing laws
- Setting policy
- Executive orders
- Speeches

Question 10

Technological power

Answer 10

How is it measured?:
- internet users as a percentage of the population
- 4G users as a percentage of the population
- Digital competitive score (tech knowledge, strength and innovation)
- Proportion of GDP spent on R&D/innovation