paper 2 Flashcards
(59 cards)
What is the definition of power in international relations?
The ability to influence the behaviors of other political actors.
What are the main categories of power?
- Hard Power
- Soft Power
- Smart Power
Define Hard Power.
Use of coercion to influence the behaviors of other political actors.
Define Soft Power.
Use of attraction, persuasion, cultural appeal to influence other political actors.
Define Smart Power.
Strategic combination of hard and soft power to achieve specific foreign policy goals.
What is an example of Hard Power?
Russian military intervention in Ukraine
UNSC’s economic sanctions on North Korea, banning UN members from trading with NK
Economic sanctions imposed by the EU and the US on Russia after the annexation of Crimea (2014)
What is an example of Soft Power?
South Korean broadcasting of K-Pop music to the NK territories
The appeal of American culture and values through Hollywood films, music, technology exports
China’s Belt and Road Initiative includes cultural exchange and cooperation to expand influence across the continent
What is an example of smart power?
The US’ foreign policies often use military strength when necessary but also employing diplomatic and economic means to achieve its goals
→ efforts to builds international coalitions for security operations while simultaneously promoting democratic governance and human rights worldwide
What are the strengths and limitations of Hard Power?
Quick and direct action leading to immediate changes in behaviour
Demonstrates clear capability and willingness to use force when necessary
Condemnation (damage of international reputation): can lead to resentment and backlash from targeted states and populations + international community
May result in unintended consequences and long-term instability
What are the strengths and limitations of soft Power?
Increases influence without conflict or coercion (without necessarily the use of military/economic forces)
Soft power = intangible
→ soft power cannot be measured, cannot be accurately captured → it can be unsure if a certain action is the result of the use of soft power
Soft power’s impact may be slow to manifest and harder to measure
Soft power takes years/years (long-term processes) BUT can be lost suddenly → fragility of soft power based on non-tangibility
Requires investments in cultural and diplomatic resources
What are the strengths and limitations of soft Power?
Combining the advantages of hard/soft power, allowing for a flexible approach to different challenges
Can be tailored to specific situations and actors more precisely and produce effective outcomes
Promotes a comprehensive understanding of IR, leading to more sustainable solutions
Balancing hard and soft power is challenging as different contexts require different approach
Can be difficult to implement as the interplay between coercion and attraction may not always align
May face criticism for being inconsistent or contradictory if not applied thoughtfully
What does sovereignty refer to?
The supreme authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.
What historical document established the concept of sovereignty and characteristics?
The Treaty of Westphalia (1648).
Established state supremacy: recognition of a state as ultimate authorities within their territories
Enshrined equality of states (‘sovereign equality’): all states were deemed equal under international law, regardless of power
Codified non-interference: prohibited meddling in domestic affairs of other states
Protected territorial boundaries: affirmed the inviolability of states
What are the dimensions of sovereignty?
*not black and white
Internal Sovereignty: states have full responsibility for, and power/authority over, what happens within their borders
Forms of internal sovereignty:
Power to legislate and enforce laws
Authority over a set of populations within borders
Citizens’ acknowledgement of state authority
————–
External Sovereignty: how states interact externally with other states and international entities
= Respect of others’ internal sovereignty: respect each other’s borders and don’t intervene/interfere in what goes on within the border of other states
Independence on foreign relations
Recognition by other states
E.g. the ability to form trade relations
What is the traditional view of sovereignty?
Sovereignty is inherent and all states naturally possess it.
What is responsible sovereignty?
Sovereignty conditioned upon the state’s ability to protect its citizens.
What is the contemporary view of sovereignty?
Responsible sovereignty (NEWEST) (MOST DEBATABLE): sovereignty is conditioned upon the state’s ability to protect their citizens. Sovereignty is not absolute, it is conditional.
States’ responsibility is to protect their citizens
What are the features of sovereign nation-states?
Permanent population: people living in a permanent place (not people moving from place to place – e.g. refugees)
Defined territory and borders: territorial borders through maps, international law to agree on borders
Effective government: whether the government exists and it has full/stable authority and control over the state’s territory
Capacity and legitimacy to enter into relations with other states: the ability to form diplomatic relations
Is sovereignty still relevant in 21st-century global politics? - YES
- Nation states have the capacity and legitimacy to enter into relations with other states.
- States ultimately maintain control over key functions, especially security, borders, legislations.
3, pooling sovereignty in certain areas (e.g. key areas like security) enhances state power and sovereignty - Sovereignty in domestic contexts: states demonstrate sovereignty through internal governance
- The rise of nationalism: rising nationalism highlights the importance of sovereignty AND seeks to regain sovereignty that has been lost through globalisation
Is sovereignty still relevant in 21st-century global politics? - NO
- Globalisation: economic interdependence reduces states’ ability to govern independently
- Transnational challenges: cannot be solved through unilateral actions and instead require multilateral cooperation
E.G. transnational challenges: climate change, global inequality, famine (food security), terrorism, pandemic - Influence of non-state actors: non-state actors (e.g. terrorist groups, corporations) undermine state authority
- Humanitarian intervention: it erodes sovereignty because the principle of non-interference and self-governance are bypassed to protect human rights
How does globalization affect state sovereignty?
It leads to economic interdependence that can limit states’ ability to govern independently.
What is networked sovereignty?
States utilize networks of international relations to achieve their interests.
What are examples of transnational challenges?
- Climate change
- Global pandemics
- Terrorism
