An Explanation Of Power In International Relations

Power, as defined in its simplest form is universally conceived as the ability one has to persuade or force another to carry out an act which they otherwise would not do. The concept of power is a central theme to the study of International Relations, as there exist many forms and categories of it making it open to contestation and thus difficult to define. In particular, large entities and state power is the discourse in indicating social, political, economic, and military power. The many existential theories within the study of international relations all put a great deal of emphasis on the concept of power, yet describe its significance with various interpretations and much ambiguity. Analyzing these interpretations of power offered in Power and International Relations by David A. Baldwin and than providing an alternative definition of power, predominantly in relation to realism that triumphs, will be the aim of this paper.
According to Robert A. Dahl, the power of individual states can be consequently conceptualized …show more content…
It can only be measured in subjective form of broad generalizations and no factual evidence. Even though the effort by Robert A. Dahl to define power is somewhat useful but is very broad, it requires further examples, explanations, and reason, which Baldwin is successful in doing. As a result, I believe that power is the capacity to bring about a change either positively influentcial or negatively. It is not the matter of how much power one holds over the other to coerce them. In fact, it is with what intent they utitlize the power and how well it is used in the interest of maximizing it to its very potential. For example, if one does hold any type of power over another, and they choose to exercise that power with malicious intent, it is the interest of that individual that comes into question, not the power