Summary Power and Development Notes

Power and Development Notes



Different types of global power

 Power – the ability to exert influence through various means over others
- Relates to the methods nation-states use to exercise control and achieve the outcomes they
want
 Realists suggest that nation states live in a global self-help environment
- Focus is on survival
- There is no supranational authority capable of enforcing global standards of behaviour
- States are always colliding with each other as they seek to protect their own interest
- Conflict is inevitable
 Liberals say that power in the international system is interconnected
- ESPC with the advance of globalisation
- Interests of states are so closely intertwined that they gain more from cooperation than
from competition


Considering power

 One way to consider power of nation state is in terms of its key capabilities
 A state strength can be measured by several fundamental capabilities


Economic capability

 Measured in GDP / GDP per capita
 May also include factors such as trade balances, levels of debt, stability of economic growth,
influence over trade rules and contributions to international programmes and organisations


Military strength

 Not only the size of the nation’s army but also its global reach
 Global reach – state’s ability to deploy anywhere at any time
 Includes naval strength, air force capacity and tech capabilities (nuclear weapons, drones, and
cyber tech)


Cultural appeal

 Represents a state’s global cultural outreach
 Through tv, film, food, fashion, celebrities, and brand names
 Some argue that the world is becoming homogenised while some say it’s a melting pot of
cultures
 Nation states cultural appeal can provide it with soft power influence in international relations
 Globalisation has helped USA globally expand its influence (Americanisation)

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, Diplomatic strength

 Includes elements of structural power, the reach of its foreign policy, the global impression a
state makes, together with its ability to utilise its power of influence
 For a state to show diplomatic strength, it must provide leadership on issues such as conflict
resolution, the environment, the global economy, and poverty


Population

 Relatively straightforward measure but has complexities
 A large population can give a state significant power and influence, but can also create problems
- Large population – many people live below the poverty line – govt will be preoccupied with
the internal social and economic problems this creates
 Important to note whether the population ageing and whether it is fertile
- Russia has poor fertility levels and a declining population
 Japan has suffered from its resistance to immigration which has reduced its capacity for
innovation


Structural power

 Represents the state’s capacity to influence INGOs
 USA provides the largest share of funding for the World Bank
 China financially dominates the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)


Regional power

 Some states may have significant influence in their respective regions
 May pool sovereignty to increase their influence
- This can give them greater structural and diplomatic pressure, especially in terms of
influence with IGOs
- Example: The USA is the dominant force on The Organisation of American States


Research and development

 Refers to the amount a state can spend on R&D
 Serves as a status symbol and can provide a state with a strategic advantage




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