Types And Forms Of Power Flashcards
Define One-dimensional-power, its approach to the use of power, and its criticisms.
- Focuses on the use of force, usually by military, by A to make B do something they would not do otherwise
- The one dimensional view of power is often called the ‘pluralist’ approach and emphasises the exercise of power through decision making and observable behaviour
- This view is criticised as being too basic a concept and does not take into account the intricacies of how power can be wielded
Define power, its mechanisms, and its influences.
- Power is the ability of one global actor to influence the actions of another state
- Mechanisms of influence can include the threat or use force, economic interaction or pressure, diplomacy, and cultural exchange
- A measure of influence or control over outcomes, events, actors and issues, and control over resources and capabilities
- This influence can be coercive, attractive, cooperative, or competitive
Define Two-dimensional-power, how does it benefit the elite, and provide an example.
- Focuses on the idea that power stems from those that control the knowledge
- If we were not allowed to make a decision then we are powerless; A does not need to make B do anything, B has no choice and the decision is made for them
- The elite have the means to prevent political action that would not benefit them and to push forward those that would. The elite therefore determine the agenda of both decision making and non-decision making and thus establishing dominance over those on the bottom of the power hierarchy
Example: If the US were to declare war against China, then Australia’s involvement would be expected due to ANZUS
Define Three-dimensional-power, compare it to the other dimensions, and how it shapes the status quo with examples.
- It relates to the ability of one state to influence another without the mechanism being overt to other states in the global arena. Explains that B does things that it would not have done had it not been for A because of A’s influences
- The three dimensional view of power criticises the behavioural focus of the first two dimensions and adopts the consideration of hidden social forces and conflict which exercise influence by shaping the consciousness of the political arena
- Norms and values are legitimised within society to support the status-quo. Things that do not fit into the status-quo are not legitimised and so are pressure not to exist.
Example: It is an accepted norm that only members of the UNSC possess nuclear weapons and that states that flour this are condemned
Define ‘Components of power’.
- Refers to the various sources of global political influence
- For each component there will be different instruments, and instruments may be hard or soft in their nature, or one, two or three dimensional
Define ‘Instrument’ in relation to Global Politics.
-Refers to the specific strategy or action of a state in exerting influence, and its the example of the component being used
Define ‘Hard Power’ and how it relates to one-dimensional-power.
- Refers to power exercised through coercion, or threatened acts of coercion, to influence the actions of other global actors
- Hard power is more tangible and works through coercion and rewards as represented by the one dimensional view
- Most commonly applied via military forms
Define ‘Soft Power’, how it is most commonly exercised, its use of influence, and its criticisms.
- Refers to the ability of a state to shape the actions of other global actors
- Most commonly exercised through diplomacy, culture, politics and history
- Soft power is influence by virtue of cultural and ideology that shapes another’s preferences and decisions
- Soft power is often more difficult for governments to wield, slower to show results, and not as effective in many cases as hard power
Define ‘Hyper-power’.
-Refers to a state militarily, economically and technologically dominant on the global political stage. A state of this status is able to utilises hegemony in the pursuit of global political objectives
Define ‘Hegemony’.
- Primacy or leadership of one state (or group) in global politics to dominate and persuade the global political agenda. A hegemonic power possesses and commands a wide range of power resources (Military, Structural, Trade, Resources, Human and Cultural).
- It implies that much of global political agenda is decided by these states, worse authority is largely uncontested
Define ‘Super-power’.
-A state with the power and ability to influence events and project power on a global scale
Define ‘Middle Power’.
- Refers to states that typically have moderate global political influence
- Unable to set the political agenda
- Work multilaterally and cooperatively to achieve their interests
Define Military power, the ways in which a state can utilise it, and how the capacity of a state’s military power is characterised, provide examples.
-Military power comes from the military capacity that a state has, plus its ability to use this power to achieve national interest objectives
-A state can utilise military power in a number of ways:
The threatened use of force
Carrying out military exercises;
Advertising improvements of military capacity and capability
Or Testing military arsenal
-The capacity of a state’s military will depend on:
The amount of money spent on the military
The type and calibre of the weapons
The number of servicemen and women in the armed forces;
Their commitment, morale and training
And the relationship between the military and the state
Examples:
- South Korea and US naval exercises is an example of a type of military power usage;
- US military presence in the South Pacific, to contain the rise of Chinese power and a demonstration of US military capacity;
- China’s celebration of aircraft carrier, intimidation of other states;
- China placed missiles on the border of Taiwan
Define Economic Power, how it can be measured, and how economically strong states can use it. Provide examples.
- Economic power refers to the capacity to influence other states through economic means.
- It is composed of a country’s industrial base, natural resources, capital, technology, geographic position, health system and education system
- (GDP indicates the wealth of a state and its level of economic activity; GDP per capita indicates the spread of wealth in a state; Whether a state relies in imports of raw produce, self-sufficiency is essential, raw materials can be a source of strength).
- Economically strong states are in better positions to use various economic instruments of foreign policy, such as tariffs, supplying loans, foreign aid and sanctions
Examples:
- Ongoing US budget deficits have the potential to suppress long term US power
- China’s economy has been growing at a remarkable pace (10% in 2010)
- China’s economy has been by virtue of its 1.3 billion citizens
- It is estimated that Chinese economy will surpass that of the US within the next 10 years
Define Diplomatic Power, and where the power originates. Provide examples.
- Diplomatic Power refers to the ability of a state to utilise international relations and diplomacy to influence another into making decisions favourable for that state
- Diplomatic power typically originates from a state’s status in the global arena
- Diplomatic power/Diplomacy can be exercised by: signing truces and agreements, signing international treaties, public denouncements, trading and trade embargoes, embassies and recognising sovereignty.
Examples:
- China’s VETO on the UN
- Neighbouring states as powerful economic trading partners (China-North Korea)
