What is Hard Power?

Introduction Hard power is the use of military and economic means to influence the behaviour or interests of other political bodies. This form of political power is often aggressive (coercion), and is most immediately effective when imposed by one political body upon another of lesser military and/or economic power. Refer to Power Projection. Hard power… Read More

Advertisements

What is Soft Power?

Introduction In politics (and particularly in international politics), soft power is the ability to attract and co-opt, rather than coerce (contrast hard power). In other words, soft power involves shaping the preferences of others through appeal and attraction. A defining feature of soft power is that it is non-coercive; the currency of soft power includes… Read More

What is Power Projection?

Introduction Power projection (or force projection or projection of power) is a term used in military and political science to refer to the capacity of a state to deploy and sustain forces outside its territory. Refer to Soft Power and Hard Power. This ability is a crucial element of a state’s power in international relations.… Read More

Top 10 Countries by Military Power 2018

According to the index created by Global Firepower (GFP), the top 10 countries by military power in 2018 are: United States of America (USA). Russia. China. India. France. United Kingdom (UK). South Korea. Japan. Turkey. Germany. With due deference to current circumstances it is interesting to note that North Korea is positioned at number 18.… Read More

The Origins of the Market Economy: State Power, Territorial Control & Modes of War Fighting.

Title The Origins of the Market Economy: State Power, Territorial Control, and Modes of War Fighting. Outline The origin and spread of money-based commodity markets is normally attributed to a natural evolution from barter and is usually seen as a solution to problems of exchange. I [the author] want to propose that markets to a considerable degree develop historically out… Read More

Learning from Soft Power: A Need for Soft Healing in the 21st Century.

Research Paper Title Learning from Soft Power: A Need for Soft Healing in the 21st Century. Abstract The limitations of direct military intervention—“hard power”—for achieving foreign policy are increasingly highlighted by international events. Policy makers, military leaders, and intelligence experts now recognise the crucial role of preventive policy approaches—“soft power”—to tackle the multifaceted, upstream causes of conflict and instability. Soft power… Read More

Learning from Soft Power: Healthcare & the Military

The value of ‘soft power’ versus ‘hard power’ is very much flavour of the month and is hotly debated. Below is a BMJ article that utilises the concept of soft power for the healthcare environment. The limitations of direct military intervention – or ‘hard power’ as politicians call it – for achieving foreign policy are… Read More