Power and World Politics
According to chapter 5, power is “the ability not only to influence others but to control outcomes so as to produce results that would not have occurred naturally.” Most observers acknowledge the critical role of power in world politics, but realists in particular regard it as “the currency of world politics.” In this exercise, you will reflect on the role and nature of power in world politics and then think critically about the sources of power and its role in the relations between states.
I. The Concepts
a. Review the definition of power in chapter 5.
b. Review the three types of power sources—natural, tangible, and intangible—and identify the meaning and give examples of each one.
II. The Centrality of Power
- Why do realists argue that power is “the currency of world politics”? Provide at least three reasons.
- What power resources are most important to realists? liberals? radicals?
III. Power Resources and Ranking
Examine the “Relative Power and World Politics” table, which presents power rankings of twelve countries based on fourteen key power resources.
a. Label each key resource as natural, tangible, or intangible power.
b. Are all the power resources equally important? If not, how should they be weighted? Are key power resources missing?
c. If power is about controlling outcomes, explain how the power resources you believe are most important enable states to control outcomes, or “get what they want.”
d. Considering the countries listed, are some power resources more important in the relationships between some countries than between others? For example, does relative military spending matter as much between the United States and Japan as between the United States and Iraq?
IV. Conclusions
Respond to the argument of some observers that the relational, multidimensional, and situational characteristics of power must be understood in order to grasp the role and complexity of power in world politics.
Would you support the assertion that power is the “currency” of world politics? Why or why not?
Relative Power and World Politics: Select State Power Rankings on fourteen Key Power Resources (goes with critical-thinking exercise “Power and World Politics” for chapter 5)
COUNTRY |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
TOTAL |
RANK |
USA |
3 |
1 |
6 |
2 |
9 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
13 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
49 |
1 |
Russia |
1 |
7 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
2 |
9 |
9 |
3 |
22 |
2 |
15 |
15 |
97 |
2 |
China |
2 |
12 |
7 |
20 |
6 |
1 |
12 |
2 |
7 |
6 |
22 |
9 |
4 |
2 |
112 |
3 |
France |
16 |
2 |
20 |
20 |
6 |
19 |
2 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
9 |
116 |
4 |
Japan |
19 |
6 |
20 |
20 |
10 |
7 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
15 |
15 |
127 |
5 |
Germany |
20 |
12 |
20 |
20 |
8 |
12 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
15 |
10 |
130 |
6 |
UK |
16 |
12 |
20 |
20 |
6 |
18 |
1 |
7 |
5 |
11 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
14 |
138 |
7 |
S. Arabia |
6 |
12 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
25 |
14 |
11 |
10 |
5 |
10 |
7 |
15 |
15 |
141 |
8 |
India |
5 |
12 |
20 |
20 |
6 |
2 |
19 |
5 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
10 |
15 |
4 |
142 |
9 |
Iran |
9 |
3 |
20 |
5 |
4 |
15 |
16 |
10 |
12 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
15 |
8 |
147 |
10 |
Iraq |
18 |
2 |
20 |
6 |
3 |
24 |
15 |
13 |
13 |
7 |
22 |
8 |
5 |
15 |
171 |
11 |
Israel |
26 |
12 |
20 |
20 |
6 |
27 |
5 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
1 |
13 |
15 |
15 |
193 |
12 |
Power Resources Key |
|
1: Land Mass 2: Food Production 3: Crude Oil Reserves 4: Oil Production 5: Energy Export/Import 6: Population 7: Literacy Rates |
8: Gross National Product 9: Exports 10: Trade Balance 11: Stability 12: Military Spending 13: Nuclear Weapons 14: Armed Forces |
Source: Adapted from Table 2.9: Relative Gauges of National Strength. Dean A. Minix and Sandra M. Hawley, Global Politics (Belmont, CA: West/Wadsworth, 1998), p.57.
