Discuss the Claim That Power in Global Politics Is Mostly Exercised Through the Use of Force and Threats

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and keep power over Syria. Force and threats was used in the Ukraine Crisis in 2014 when international powers placed sanctions on Russia. The use of hard power is prominent as it normally works to diffuse the situation, with the use of hard power it forces change. “Terrorism works not simply because it instills fear in target populations, but because it causes governments and individuals to respond in ways that aid the terrorists’ cause” (Mansbach and Rhodes Pg 55) It shows that power through threats and force is effective which is why it is common in global politics. ISIS use terrorism and threats to promote their message which works effectively as it scares and threatens the world. They use social media to spread their messages of recruitment and to mass screen their killings to the general public. They inflict fear onto people and the world as you never know who is safe. North Korea is an example of a state which uses hard power with the use of propaganda and nuclear warfare it shows how power in used through force and threats.

Power in global politics is exercised through soft power or hard power but it can also be a combination of the both through smart power. Soft power is a more predominant force in global politics as it is a peaceful solution in solving matters between states. Soft power is used in The United Nations which is a big power in influencing change in world issues, the use of free trade agreements and in treaties between countries which allow for peaceful co existence. Hard power, the use of threats and forces is also prevalent. Events and states such as North Korea, Syrian Civil war and ISIS show the prevailing trend of power in global politics today. It shows force and threats influence the decisions of states and by doing so it affects more change than using soft power.