Types of Power

Question 1

Hard power definition

Answer 1

• the ability to coerce another to perform an action
• this can be achieved through the use of threats or rewards
• 2 main strands: military power, economic power

Question 2

2 main strands of hard power

Answer 2

• military power
• economic power

Question 3

military power

Answer 3

an aggressive act against a state, including conflict

Question 4

military power example

Answer 4

China’s $300bln on military spending in 2022

Question 5

economic power

Answer 5

economic sanctions or incentives to carry out ones wishes

Question 6

economic power example

Answer 6

2022, EU, UK and USA impose harsh sanctions on Russia in response to invasion of Ukraine, damaging Russia’s economy

Question 7

history of hard power

Answer 7

• historically used, but military power is rare in the 21st century an economic power is a last resort

Question 8

Hard power successes

Answer 8

• response to terrorism eg air strikes in Syria- ISIS
• use of economic sanctions has stopped countries using military force eg sanctions on North Korea
• realists view the world as a collection of sovereign states who aim to guarantee their own survival using military force

Question 9

Hard power weaknesses

Answer 9

• economic sanctions only work on smaller countries seeking access to the global economy
• in a world of liberal democracies its unnecessary with negotiation institutions like the UN

Question 10

Soft power definition

Answer 10

• ability to influence others by persuading them to follow your own ideas
• 3 main types: cultural, political and diplomacy

Question 11

3 main types of soft power

Answer 11

• cultural
• political
• diplomacy

Question 12

cultural soft power example

Answer 12

Hollywood makes American culture attractive

Question 13

political soft power example

Answer 13

canadas openness to diversity

Question 14

diplomacy soft power example

Answer 14

supporting the international community through agreements

Question 15

soft power examples

Answer 15

• Russia ban from Eurovision shows European disapproval of invasion without using force
• M&S and BBC known world wide

Question 16

successes of soft power

Answer 16

• cooperation rather than conflict is favoured in a world of complex interdependence
• spread of democracy means more decisions can be made without the use of hard power
• liberals believe soft power strengthens ties between states and reduces the likelihood of conflict

Question 17

soft power weaknesses

Answer 17

• hard power undermines soft power
• soft power is difficult to use as it can promote but not control culture
• some goals can only be achieved through hard power eg North Korea nuclear weapon development ban

Question 17

What is smart power

Answer 17

• combination of hard and soft power
• relies solely on on hard or soft power is ineffective

Question 18

example of smart power

Answer 18

Obamas foreign policy with Iran
- Economic sanctions (hard power)
- reaching out to the Iranian public about Iran Nuclear deal (soft power)