Theories of Power (DP IB Global Politics: SL): Revision Note
Power to
Power to is the capability or authority to bring about change
This can come from some kind of position of responsibility
The UN has the authority to authorise sanctions
Political parties or leaders have the authority to make changes
Parents have the authority to choose the school their child enrols in
A hockey team has the capability to compete in the Olympics
Power to often refers to the power of individuals to have agency
Decide their own path in life
Make decisions for themselves
To help others or to do good or bad in the world
Power over
Power over is relational - the ability of one actor to control or influence the actions and decisions of another actor
One actor can control the actions of another by force if necessary
Power over is relatively common, though it is usually seen in a negative light
Power over others implies one actor is subordinate in a relationship between two actors
Feminist political theorists such as Hannah Pitkin argue that many traditional female-male interactions involve men having power over women and the result is oppressive to women
Realism sees power over as the desire of every state in search of hegemony
Political philosopher Hannah Arendt equates power over with violence because it implies domination and force
She saw power over not as a sign of true power
If the only way you can get someone to do what you want them to do is by force, then you don’t really have true power
Force and violence is always a sign of powerlessness, not power
Case Study
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (2022–present)
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 is an example of power over in international politics
Use of military force
Russia used military force to try to control Ukraine’s territory and influence its political decisions, including preventing Ukraine from moving closer to Western organisations such as NATO and the European Union
This reflects the realist idea that states seek power and dominance over others in order to protect their interests
By using its larger military, Russia attempted to force Ukraine to act in ways that supported Russian strategic goals
Power and violence
However, the invasion also illustrates Hannah Arendt’s argument about power and violence
Russia relied heavily on military force and coercion, which some theorists argue shows a lack of genuine political influence or legitimacy
Overall significance
The conflict demonstrates how power over often involves domination and violence, where one actor attempts to impose its will on another rather than persuading or cooperating with it
Power with
Power with is cooperative power, where actors have equal opportunity to work together to effect change
For Hannah Arendt and Hannah Pitkin power with is always more successful and sustainable than power over
NGOs such as the United Nations are modelled on an idea of power with, as states and non-state actors work collaboratively to bring about change
Democracies are modelled on the idea of power with between citizens and government
Case Study
The Paris Climate Agreement (2015)
Background
The Paris Climate Agreement, negotiated through the United Nations, is an example of power with in global politics
In 2015, nearly 200 countries worked together to agree on a plan to limit global temperature increases and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Cooperation between actors
Instead of forcing countries to act, the agreement encourages states to cooperate and set their own climate targets
Governments, NGOs, scientists and businesses all contributed to the discussions and continue to work together to address climate change
Significance
This shows power with because change is achieved through collaboration and shared responsibility rather than one actor forcing others to comply
Supporters argue that agreements like the Paris Climate Agreement demonstrate that cooperation between actors can often be more effective and sustainable than coercion or domination
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