Bases of Power: Geography, Population, Economy

• Inductive Method involves gathering diverse ideas and adapting them to specific situations, instead of applying rigid, universal principles.
• Accountability-Based Institutions support international organizations that judge performance over prioritizing neutrality for consensus.
• Sovereign Accountability encourages states to take responsibility, rather than limiting sovereignty to enforce cooperation.
• Democratic Accountability in International Law links global legal authority to national political systems.
• Functional Institutions focus on practical outcomes over symbolic actions that promote ideals without tangible results.

Bases of Power

• Geography: A nation's location impacts its security, military strategy, and global reach
• Natural barriers and access to trade/ports enhance power
• Population: A large population can be a strength (labor, military) or a weakness (resource strain, internal divisions).
• Economy: Economic strength supports military power, industrial growth, and technological advancements, reinforcing national influence.
• Politics: Strong leadership, efficient resource management, and strategic alliances enhance a state's power
• Military and economic strength are essential for maintaining influence and partnerships.

Types of Power

• Soft Power (Attractive Power): Persuades through influence rather than force and is based on cultural appeal, political ideals, and inclusive policies.
• Hard Power (Power of Compliance): Enforces will through military or economic strength, and compels others to act against their initial will.

Security

• After WWII, a bipolar world emerged with the US and USSR competing ideologically
• The Cold War ended with the Soviet Union's collapse
• The end of the war led to a unipolar world dominated by the US.

Terrorism

• Terrorism is politically motivated violence targeting noncombatants to instill fear
• The 9/11 attacks reshaped global security, making threats borderless and driven by technology
• Religious extremism, like Al Qaeda, exploits globalization for terror.

Doctrine of Preemption

• The Doctrine of Preemption, central to U.S. strategy post-9/11, advocates striking threats before they emerge
• The 2003 Iraq War exemplified this but sparked controversy over its justification
• Critics argue unilateral preemption weakens soft power
• Condoleezza Rice stressed preemption should be a last resort for grave threats.

Democracy

• Democracy fosters growth, stability, and counterterrorism by promoting peaceful conflict resolution and inclusive decision-making.

Globalization

• Globalization is an economic, political, and cultural phenomenon that began with European exploration
• Advances in technology and trade broke barriers, connecting societies.