Military force is only one of the four instruments of power on the United States D.I.M.E. (Diplomacy, Information, Military, and Economic) model of national power. I am going to discuss how the use of force relates to the D.I.M.E. model and two types of power (“Soft” and “Hard” power), as well as resources associated with D.I.M.E. instruments of power. I agree with Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye’s idea that force is not normally used to solve disputes between states. However, to say force is unimportant or irrelevant in most situations is inaccurate. A more accurate portrayal of how military force is used can be found in Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication (MCDP) 1-1. It says, “The instruments of national power overlap and interconnect. Diplomats’
…show more content…
The desired change is more likely to last if the proper type of power is used. In an article for the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Dr. Joseph Nye talks about two types of power, “hard” and “soft”. Nye says, “Soft power rests on the ability to shape the preferences of others,” meaning change occurs on their terms, not yours. Conversely, “hard” power tactics apply threats or coercion to bring about change (on your terms, not theirs). R. Craig Nation wrote in the U.S. Army War College Guide to National Security Issues, that he considers diplomatic and information power “soft” and military and economic strictly “hard” power. I concur, each instrument of the D.I.M.E. model projects one of the two types of power, but it is not as black and white as Mr. Nation’s …show more content…
military action would be considered a “hard” power. As stated earlier, the U.S. having capable and able military power allows for easier projection of the other instruments of power. The U.S. not only has largest military budget in the world, its budget is more than the next 11 largest budgets combined. Over the past decade the U.S. has built up its ability to project military power. The long war in Iraq is over, the war in Afghanistan is coming to a close, and the U.S. military is facing serious economic constraints. These facts mean the U.S. will have to find alternative ways to project the same power militarily. Most importantly, the U.S. can build partnerships to help with global security, which is inherently good for U.S. national security. South East Asia is a vital territory for U.S. interests. New and developing security and economic partnerships in that region will only strengthen U.S. power in
The desired change is more likely to last if the proper type of power is used. In an article for the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Dr. Joseph Nye talks about two types of power, “hard” and “soft”. Nye says, “Soft power rests on the ability to shape the preferences of others,” meaning change occurs on their terms, not yours. Conversely, “hard” power tactics apply threats or coercion to bring about change (on your terms, not theirs). R. Craig Nation wrote in the U.S. Army War College Guide to National Security Issues, that he considers diplomatic and information power “soft” and military and economic strictly “hard” power. I concur, each instrument of the D.I.M.E. model projects one of the two types of power, but it is not as black and white as Mr. Nation’s …show more content…
military action would be considered a “hard” power. As stated earlier, the U.S. having capable and able military power allows for easier projection of the other instruments of power. The U.S. not only has largest military budget in the world, its budget is more than the next 11 largest budgets combined. Over the past decade the U.S. has built up its ability to project military power. The long war in Iraq is over, the war in Afghanistan is coming to a close, and the U.S. military is facing serious economic constraints. These facts mean the U.S. will have to find alternative ways to project the same power militarily. Most importantly, the U.S. can build partnerships to help with global security, which is inherently good for U.S. national security. South East Asia is a vital territory for U.S. interests. New and developing security and economic partnerships in that region will only strengthen U.S. power in