Power politics

Question 1

How should we assess the power of international actors?

Answer 1

1. Military power (Morgenthau, 1948).
2. Economic power (Keohane and Nye, 1977)
3. Soft power (Nye, 1990)
4. Composite measures (Waltz, 1979)

Question 2

How can military power be seen as a factor when assessing the power of international actors

Answer 2

States with larger, more advanced militaries are more powerful than those with weaker militaries. (Morgenthau, 1948)

• However > (Waltz, 1979)

Question 3

How can economic power be seen as a factor when assessing the power of international actors

Answer 3

(Keohane and Nye, 1977)

1) Attract trade, investments, and allies
2) afford economic incentives and sanctions

• However > (Garten, 1999)

Question 4

How can soft power be seen as a factor when assessing the power of international actors

Answer 4

strong soft power > attractiveness of their culture, values, and policies > more powerful

(Nye, 1990)

• However > (Mearsheimer, 1994)

Question 5

How can composite measures be seen as a factor when assessing the power of international actors

Answer 5

(Waltz, 1979)

range of factors, including military, economic, and soft power, > the power of international actors.

• However > (Garten, 1999)

Question 6

What are the objections raised by Garten (1999) when assessing the power of international actors

Answer 6

A singe factor is not sufficient to determine the power of an international actor (Garten, 1999).

However, even composite measures are difficult to construct > subject to bias or subjectivity (Garten, 1999).

Question 7

Morgenthau (1948)

Answer 7

o Military power is:

• indicator of power of an international actor
• Necessary to defend states’ interests and territory
• Enables states to exert influence over other states > threat or use of force

Question 8

Waltz (1979)

Answer 8

o necessary > consider range of factors > including military, economic, and soft power, > power of international actors

Question 9

Keohane and Nye (1977)
(Power Politics)

Answer 9

o Economic power

• States with strong economies > more powerful than weaker economies
• Enables states to attract investment, trade partners, and allies
• Allows states to exert influence over other states > economic incentives or sanctions

Question 10

Garten (1999)

Answer 10

o Composite measures > difficult to construct > subject to bias or subjectivity
o Carefully define and operationalize each component of a composite measure > to ensure its validity and reliability

Question 11

(Nye, 1990)

Answer 11

Soft power (Nye, 1990)
- strong soft power > attractiveness of their culture, values, and policies, > more powerful

• However > (Mearsheimer, 1994)

Question 12

Argument that US hegemony is over

Answer 12

1. Decline of US economic power (Ikenberry, 2011)
2. Rise of non-state actors (Slaughter, 2004)
3. Spread of democracy (Huntington, 1991)

Question 13

Argument that US hegemony continues to exist

Answer 13

1. US military dominance (Mearsheimer, 2001)
2. (Soft power) US political and cultural influence (Nye, 2004):
3. Persistence of unipolarity (Glaser, 2010)

Question 14

What is meant by the decline of US economic power?

Answer 14

(Ikenberry, 2011)

Decline of relative economic power of the US > China (etc) emerged as major economic powers.

This decline > shift in the global balance of power.

Question 15

How does the rise of non-state actors hinder US hegemony?

Answer 15

(Slaughter, 2004)

Non-state actors > IOs, multinational corporations, and civil society groups > important role in international politics.

shift in power away from traditional states > lead to a new global balance of power.

Question 16

How does the spread of democracy hinder US hegemony?

Answer 16

(Huntington, 1991)

Spread of democracy > more multipolar international system > greater number of influential states.

This could lead to a new global balance of power.

Question 17

How does the dominance of US military prove that its hegemony still exists?

Answer 17

(Mearsheimer, 2001)

The US military remains the most powerful in the world > this dominance gives the US a significant advantage in global politics.

This could continue to support US hegemony.

Question 18

How does the influence of US politics and culture prove that its hegemony still exists?

Answer 18

(Nye, 2004)

The US > exert political and cultural influence around the world > leadership in IOs, its media, entertainment industry > soft power.

This could continue to support US hegemony.

Question 19

How does the persistence of unipolarity prove that its hegemony still exists?

Answer 19

(Glaser, 2010)

the international system remains unipolar, with the US as the dominant power.

Question 20

Ikenberry (2011)

Answer 20

o The US > the dominant power since end of World War II.
o The US > create a liberal world order > based on international institutions and rules.
o The rise of other powers such as China > challenge this liberal world order.

Question 21

Katzenstein et al (2018)

Answer 21

o “protean power” > ability to adapt and shape the international system.
o The distribution of protean power among states is constantly changing.
o The global balance of power is affected by both material and ideational factors.

Question 22

Define Material factors

Answer 22

Material factors: tangible resources that states and other actors can use to exert influence, such as military power, economic resources, and technological capabilities.

Question 23

Define Ideational factors

Answer 23

Ideational factors: intangible resources that states and other actors can use to exert influence, such as values, beliefs, norms, and ideas

Question 24

Define Power

Answer 24

Power: the ability to shape the behaviour and outcomes of other states and actors” (Ikenberry, 2011)

Question 25

Define Protean power

Answer 25

Protean power: involves the ability of states and other international actors to adapt and respond to changing circumstances in ways that allow them to achieve their goals. (Katzenstein, 2018)

Question 26

Define Hard power

Answer 26

Hard power refers to the use of force or coercion to influence the behaviour of others (Nye, 2004)

Question 27

Define Soft power

Answer 27

Soft power refers to the ability to attract and persuade others through the appeal of one’s culture, values, and policies. (Nye, 2004)

Question 28

Define International actors

Answer 28

International actors: entities that operate at the international level, including states and non-state actors such as international organizations, multinational corporations, and civil society groups. Aim to pursue their interests and influence global affairs.

Question 29

Define International organizations

Answer 29

International organizations: “International organizations (IOs) are formal institutions created by states to coordinate their activities in areas of common interest, such as trade, security, and the environment.” (Narlikar, 2013)