International Relations: National Power: Meaning and Forms
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National Power
- Power is a key concept in international politics .
- Vital in conduct of relations among states.
- For securing interest and promoting interests.
- Also, a limiting factor, power of state is limited by its own resources and capabilities as well as by the adverse power of other states too.
- Morgenthau՚s – International politics like all other politics is a struggle for power. Whatever be the ultimate aim of international politics , power is always the immediate one.
- As such, power is an incontrovertible fact of international politics.
- Carl Becker – “politics is inseparable from power. States and government exists to exert power … political power exists in the world and will be used by those who have it” .
- Statesman always act to keep or increase power in international politics.
Meaning
- Morgenthau – “the power of man and as man՚s control over the minds and actions of the other man” .
- Dyke – power as “coercive influence distinguished from persuasive influence” .
- Power is not a tangible thing , it is a relationship in which one is powerful and the and is in a position to affect a desired change in the behavior of those who are less powerful, by means of force or by threat of use of force.
- Hartman – “National Power denotes the ability of nation to fulfill national goals. It tell as to how much powerful or weak a particular nation is in securing its national goals” .
Forms of National Power
Basically, three forms –
- Military Power
- Psychological Power
- Economic Power
Not organic, almost arbitrary but an essential.
Military Power
- essential for achieving the objective of security of the nation.
- Key means for securing purpose.
- It՚s an instrument of foreign policy.
- It՚s a source of strength and prestige for any nation.
Economic Power
- ability of nation to satisfy its own needs and to control the behavior of other states by affording or denying access to economic goods and services.
- No state can become a military power without economic power.
- Lack of economic power has been the basic factor behind the weak position of third world countries.
Psychological Power
it՚s a power of opinion.
Schleicher
- “Psychological Power consists of symbolic device which appeals to the minds and emotions of man” .
- Noted examples are – persuasion and propaganda as widely recognized strategy of international relations.
Means
Four basic means.
Persuasion
- most common and effective method.
- Defining or logically explaining a particular problem or issue or a dispute.
- Attempts are made to persuade other nations to adopt a particular and desired view or perception of the nature of issues in any bilateral or multilateral problems.
Rewards
- can be material , economic or psychological.
- A nation can give material help to another in times of crisis.
- Giving economic aids , loans , grant in aid are another methods of winning support and inducing a change in the behavior of another states.
- Other examples – lease of territories or bases or equipment, grant of right to allow passage of ships etc.
Punishment
- a powerful nation by its act of commission or omission can inflict punishment upon a weak and dependent nation.
- Withholding of reward, cut in aid or loan , a stoppage or cut of trade , imposition of high duties, expulsion of diplomats etc.
- The most effective punishment is the one which secures the desired objectives without the actual infliction of punishment.
Force
- by exercising actual use of force or physical violence.
- By use of military force a nation can compel another for a desired objectives.
- The difference between the force and punishment is the actual use of force versus the threat of use of force.
- Resorting to war is the last option, which is quite dangerous and risky, nations usually avoid this.
MCQs
1. Who said – “International politics like all other politics is a struggle for power. Whatever be the ultimate aim of international politics , power is always the immediate one” ?
- Morgenthau
- Frankel
- Kenneth Thompson
- Carl Becker
Ans. A. Morgenthau
Explanation: Power is a key concept in international politics . Vital in conduct of relations among states. For securing interest and promoting interests.
2. Which among the following is ‘power of opinion’ ?
- Military
- Economic
- Psychological
- None
Ans. C. Psychological
Explanation: it՚s a power of opinion.
- Schleicher – “Psychological Power consists of symbolic device which appeals to the minds and emotions of man” .
- Noted examples are – persuasion and propaganda as widely recognized strategy of international relations.
3. Who defines power as – “the power of man and as man՚s control over the minds and actions of the other man” ?
- Dyke
- Morgenthau
- Carl
- None
Ans. B. Morgenthau
Explanation: to ability to use force is determined by the existence of certain elements as well as by the ability of actors seeking to secure the objectives and goals.
4. Power is
- Intangible
- Tangible
- Avoidable
- Relatable
Ans. A.Intangible
Explanation: Power is not a tangible thing , it is a relationship in which one is powerful and the and is in a position to affect a desired change in the behavior of those who are less powerful, by means of force or by threat of use of force.
5. Which among the following is not a form of national power?
a. Military
b. Economic
c. Physical
d. Psychological
Ans. C. Physical
Explanation: there are basically three forms of national power –
- Military Power
- Psychological Power
- Economic Power
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✍ Mayank