According to Benjamin Miller in his book, “States, Nations and The Great Powers”, he explains the fact that there is a particular tendency in each state in terms of capability, motivation, interest, or nationalism that enables them to act accordingly to a particular situation. For the same purpose these states may try to modify, intervene, change, manipulate, dictate, or “Influence” the circumstances. Now, there is an important question that how do states exercise this “Influence”?
States in an international system act according to the Foreign policy they develop. Foreign policy is the “external behavior” of a state in an international system. It is the foreign image that determines the factor that how the state influences; positively or negatively or get influenced instead. The policies that states adopt or adapt explain their power capabilities, interests, its course of actions furthermore giving a clear sense of the nature and status of the state.
“Influencing” in the international context means the Power or ability of a state to compel the other state to adopt policies which the latter state may not pursue or value but is to the advantage of the former state. Power, in this case may be hard power (coercive means), Soft power (non-coercive means), smart power (combination of both) or a fourth power of “deception/duplicity”.
Hard power is the use of direct action or force to make other states act according to their requirements. This direct action includes military competency, economic proficiency, geographic location and technological advancement. The states may use military mobilization, intervention, invasion, military strikes, economic and military sanctions or embargos, geostrategic containment, or use of drone and cyber technologies to bring the other state in compliance with its policies.
Soft power is the use of indirect strategies or persuasion to bring outcomes in a much peaceful but effective way. These include contemporary diplomacy, public “speech act”, cultural and economic linkages-promotion and media. The states may indulge in alliances; trade, military and economic relations; cultural exchange programs; secretive agreements; value promotion in common public and media and assistance in different sectors to urge states to cooperate with them.
According to Sun Tzu, “The combination of direct and indirect strategies leads a state into endless ploys”. Therefore, the use of Force and persuasion in precise volumes encompasses “Smart Power”. States in the contemporary world balance the coercive and non-coercive means in order to get the best outcomes. Deception, according to some, is also a fourth power used to influence states. It involves subversion, double games, bargaining, espionage, covert operations, and propaganda. It is basically the alternative tactical measures to ensure success on one’s part.
If states are categorized into super powers, major or emerging powers and the weaker states we could have a clear comprehension of what does exercising influence in terms of Foreign policy or external behavior means. The behavior may be bilateral, trilateral or multilateral depending upon the situation. This behavior may be seen in the use of Military demonstrations, economic brilliance, sophistication of words, influential speeches and actions, diplomatic terms, commitments and dub licit policies.
Super Powers have the maximum power, essentially hard power to influence other states and achieve goals. Basically, they “dictate the system” or more appropriately, other states whether major, emerging, or weaker in nature. They have the necessary direct or indirect control, projection, potency and resources to ensure their supremacy and national interests, integrity, pride, sovereignty, and maintain the status they have set for themselves. Their foreign policy or actions are aggressive, authoritative, unilateral, offensive, persuasive, influential, straightforward, and practical or pre-emptive depending upon the unabridged power they share in the world. They get what they want! They make you do what they want!
After the cold war United States emerged as a super power and ever since it is influencing the world. States like Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Syria and North Korea which challenge this “influence” have faced severe reactions. In other words US wants complete submission to their foreign policy by each state. The recent ADIZ declared by PRC created controversies and US was the first to violate the ADIZ as to show its power and capabilities. No state should defy there declared authority otherwise would face the consequences.
Major or emerging powers have sizeable power to influence other states but they do get influenced by the super power. They “manage the system” and work for maximization of their power but would never contest the super power. They engage in “soft politics” and excel in it. Their foreign behavior is passive, purposeful, focused, defensive (offensive depending on situation), subservient and submissive. Russia, China, England, France, India and Germany all enjoy this position. These powers can sometimes change the posture of the super power such as the chemical weapon’s scenario where Russia forced US to abstain from using military might. In a region, they act as super powers and have complete or partial autonomy to regulate that zone. China acts as a regional power in South Eastern Asia similarly India does play an eminent role in Southern Asia.
Weaker states do not have any power to influence other states but they do affect the settings through “power of deception”. Basically, they play “double games” with states, major and super powers to bring an impact. They fulfill their interests by commitments, bargaining, trickery, cheating and double dealings.
As explained above, states exercise their influence on other states depending on their power capabilities or tactics. Wise states make other states to act in accordance to their needs. Super powers and major powers use smart power (combination of both) in order to achieve their goals on the other hand weaker states use the “artifice of deception” to create an impression. Benjamin Miller recognizes the “neighborhood issue” that each state’s foreign policy is based on an inspiration, incentive, and interest to exploit, manipulate or change the policies of other states for its own purposes.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Lahore Times.