The Concept of Power in International Politics Essay

The concept of power is central to the study of international politics. International politics has been defined in terms of influencing major nations in the world to advance the purpose of a nation against the opposition of other nations. Thus, it is rather not surprising that power, either by means of influence or control, has been a dominant concept that is intertwined in discussion when it comes to the study of international politics. Before getting into the fundamental nature of power in international relations, it is needed to consider just what power is. Power in the study of international politics can be derived in several ways as a goal of states or individual; as a measure of influence or control over actors, events, outcomes, and†¦show more content†¦For the orthodox realists, the aspiration to seek power is derived from the combination of human nature, which is inherently self-centred and logical, and certain historical circumstances that turn international anarch y into the present state of affairs between nations. Human nature is controlled by the means of law and it is regulated by the governing bodies; since there is no world government, states can only be controlled by the power of other states. Consequently for the realist, a balance of power is the condition to establish stability and peace. Balance of power requires nations possessing relatively equal military, financial, and political influence and liberty of action. Since every nation has comparable means, none has the power to successfully control the others. This reduces the likelihood of violence and disagreement as there is a lot to risk in engaging in war with a state that is an equal power. This contrasts with a situation in which a very powerful state deals with a weaker state, victory appears more guaranteed to the powerful country and hence forceful action is more appealing as a way to defend a states’ interests. The prime example of this scenario is the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli government, which is a more powerful state, imposing its military might against Palestine,Show MoreRelatedEssay on The Concept of Power in International Politics1578 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿ Distinction of Mind from Body Using the arguments from doubt, from clear and distinct perceptions, and from simplicity, Descartes attempts to prove in â€Å"The Meditations† that the mind is distinct and separate from the body. This view is now known as Cartesian Dualism. 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