power and development Flashcards
What is the difference between hard and soft power?
Hard power – military and economic.
^ The use of military or economic means to influence other nation states. This is known as the carrot and stick approach – offering a reward for good behaviour (carrot) and a consequence (the stick) if they fail to oblige.
Soft power – diplomatic and cultural.
^the more indirect way of influencing other countries through cultural or diplomatic means. It is therefore the ability to get what you want through attraction, rather than punishment.
when has hard power been effective?
Sometimes soft power alone isn’t enough to influence a country. in this case, a more intrusive approach is needed in order for state to have influence. it sends a clear message that you are prepared to do what it takes, to get what you want.
NATO intervention in Yugoslavia, to further their own western objectives of international law / liberal democracy ideals. NATO ended up bombing the capital of Yugoslavia in attempt to remove Serbian troops. Since their operation, many former countries apart of Yugoslavia have joined NATO - showing how hard power has been used to further their objective.
Equally, sometimes soft power doesn’t seem enough to influence another country. For example, the Falkland war or Americas intervention in Afghanistan seemed necessary in the form of military, as persuasion alone would not had been sufficient.
when has hard power not been effective?
The use of hard power doesn’t always seem to guarantee a countries given objective in the matter.
1) economic sanctions on Russia after they invaded Ukraine. Such sanctions could been seen to negatively effect the countries imposing the sanctions, just as much as the country receiving them - due to their interdependence. High tariffs on Russian goods caused cost-push inflation in other European countries due to the higher prices of Russian oil.
^Equally, the sanctions haven’t made Russia stop in their pursuit for Ukraine, and the war is still on going 2 years later.
2) economic sanctions on Iran - after the Islamic revolution of Iran, the USA placed a complete embargo on Iran and froze all their assets deposited with the US - yet this didn’t prevent anything, and Iran remains the way it is.
3) economic sanctions on China - Many European countries and the US placed economic sanctions on goods produce near the encampment of Uyghur Muslim’s. However, this has not achieved its aim of protecting human rights, as such sanctions barely hurt Chinas economy.
when has soft power been effective?
Involves shaping the preferences of other countries to your own preference.
The USA has been seen to massively influence Asian countries through the use of soft power. The Hollywood film industry is worth $40 billion, in which films show ideals of democracy, gender equality, capitalism, etc. Soft power seems so effective in this sense, that other countries with conflicting narratives have begun banning films from their country - for example, Lebanon, Saudi Arabi and Pakistan all banned the film Barbie due to how it promotes “western ideals and sexual confusion”. It is unclear why they would bother banning such movie if they didn’t think it would influence their people in anyway.
Equally, the spread of western literature and philosophy has also massively influenced people across the world and what ethics they prescribe to.
Saudi Arabi has equally be accused of sports washing. This is a process in which a country known for bad human right violations starts to drastically invest in football and entertainment to clear up their PR image and shift attention away. This has been in a broader attempt to boost their economy and attract more tourism.
when has soft power not been effective?
Previous successes of soft powers influence are now coming to a halt.
De-westernisation is also taken place across the globe to try and combat the soft power of the west.
For example the Islamic takeover of Iran, which previously celebrated gay rights and female rights.
The previous leader of Iran before the revolution had close links with the USA - which rebels did not like.
what is meant by a superpower?
A superpower is a country who can exert its influence on any region of the world, and this influence is rarely (if at all) contested. This is due to their military, economic power and diplomacy / strength of politics. A superpower should be the leader in all of these aspects.
what is meant by an emerging power?
An emerging power is one with a significant rise in influence on global affairs. They may be able to exert their influence on a regional scale, yet are limited in their resources and reach to influence ANY country. They are in the process of drastically increasing their economic, political and militant influence. For example: The BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
what are the 3 factors to consider when debating whether a country is a superpower or not?
- how influential you are politically
- size of your economy
- military
how can the USA be considered a superpower in the political sense?
America can be seen as the founding father for many global institutes which embody their own ideals. For example, the UNs main objectives of human rights, international law, etc.
^The Bretton Woods conference (held in the USA) established the creation of world institutes like the IMF, World Bank, etc.
^such institutions embody the Washington consensus
The USA is also the only country with a perceived VETO in the IMF - a vote needs 85% to pass, however the USA has 17% of the vote, and therefore if they do not agree with something, they can block it, as a majority in favour cannot be reached without their support. Such institutions have a large impact on state sovereignty when they cast a decision, and therefore can be seen as a tool the USA has always in its back pocket, due to connections and its willingness to fund the majority scope of their operation, to use if they ever needed to.
This political influence has also been actualized in their influence over justice – the USA used UN tribunals as a way to influence the verdict of Japanese war criminals -> the USA sat in judgement over the outcome of these criminals, despite their clear bias towards the case. Thus again showing how their political influence is undoubtable.
how could it be argued that the USA is losing political relevance?
Some recent objectives led by the West, haven’t been led by the USA, showing a shift away from their dominance.
^For example, the growing concern of climate change has been the focus for many of their close allies (especially in Europe) that they haven’t driven themselves. If anything, they have shown their disapproval, with Trump even withdrawing from the PARIS 2015 agreement. Despite the USAs withdrawal, this didn’t result in all other countries also abandoning it and shifting their objectives – instead, Biden came crawling back to the Paris Agreement when he was made president – showing how the USA is starting to realize it is not as dominant as it once was.
Equally, the USA isn’t the only country to hold VETO power in the most important political institute - the UN security council. instead, Russia has used their veto the most times out of the 5 countries who do have it - 128 times in total.
Also, hypocrisy from the USA has tainted their ability to be perceived as this global policeman. for example, guantanamo bay. such hypocrisy makes it hard for the USA to now force human rights onto other states.
how could it be argued that the USA is a superpower in terms of their economy?
The USA has the largest GDP in the world at $28 trillion generated each year.
^Pre-established industries, infrastructure and transport links in the US allow companies to experience external economies of scale
^An English speaking country gives them a heavy advantage as well when it comes to logistical and communicational advantages
^Home to the most advanced universities in the world - highly trained human capital
^Their currency is regarded as the most stable currency in the world with many countries pegging their currency to it
^Large domestic market to rely on when exporting becomes less favourable
^Power to re-negotiate trading deals - for example, the renegotiation of the NAFTA agreement, in Americas favour. trump stated he knew the new deal was good as Canada and Mexico both wanted to change it again - which he stated he wouldn’t enter re-negotiations into.
how could it be argued that the USA may no longer be an economic superpower in the future?
Americas recent populist style of politics may start to slow down their economic influence and abundance.
For example, Trump was keen on protectionist policies in order to protect domestic jobs. Trump doesn’t think the USAs trade deficit is healthy enough – and instead imposed high tariffs on imported goods. In 2018 he announced a 25% tariff on all imported Steel into the USA.
Yet this will continue to make American goods uncompetitive on the international stage, and lessen the likelihood for America to be able to exercise their comparative advantage.
However, other countries like China, have very low tariffs, and therefore remain a hub for exports – something the USA may have jeopardized.
how could it be argued that the USA is a superpower in terms of their military?
The impact of your military is determined through both the quantitative and qualitative aspect of your capital, weapons and manpower.
^This is all determined by your military budget. The US has the largest military budget in the world, at $800 billion.
There are also 800 USA military bases across the globe, enabling the USA to attack anywhere in the globe.
Many official allies in both Europe and south America
highest amount of active personnel’s in the whole world
All of this money and resources are supplemented by the culture the USA harvests of patriotism and serving one’s country.
how is the USA possibly no longer a militant superpower?
The USA may have a technologically advanced army, yet this means nothing, or doesn’t act as a threat, if they’re unwilling to use it. Past failed military projects have tainted their willingness to get involved - like Afghanistan.
America doesn’t have the largest amount of nuclear weapons in the world - it is Russia who has the most.
Tensions are rising in the USA military pact NATO - trump has stated he would not intervene for countries who have not paid their 2%
In comparison, other counties like Russia may not have as much active personnel’s as the US, yet they are more wiling to utilise the amount they do have, and in this sense act more as a superpower than the USA
How can China be considered a superpower economically?
- A de-valued currency makes their exports the most competitive on the international market - making them the highest exporter in the world
- 2nd highest GDP in the world
- highest receiver of FDI in 2022
- tax breaks in Beijing have encouraged enterprise to move to China
- their universities are becoming much more advanced - strengthening their human capital
