International Relations Assignment: Power Dynamics and the UN's Role

This homework assignment delves into key concepts in international relations, specifically focusing on the interplay of hard and soft power. The response analyzes how these forms of power are utilized in global politics, offering definitions and examples of their application. Furthermore, the assignment examines the role of the United Nations in fostering international cooperation, discussing the UN's efforts in conflict resolution, peacekeeping, and arms control. The analysis considers the UN's effectiveness in promoting these goals and explores the arguments for and against arms control measures. The assignment also incorporates a bibliography of relevant sources to support the analysis. The assignment demonstrates an understanding of international relations theories and concepts, providing insightful perspectives on the complexities of global politics and the role of international organizations.

International relations
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Response one: The role of hard and soft power in two-level games
Hard power refers to the coercive power which is welded through threats and
inducements. It is based on military economic sanction, coercive diplomacy, and interventions. It
actually relies on a tangible form of power from armed forces1. On the other hand, soft power is
that the capacity to persuade other people just to do what you need them to do. This kind of
power is based on emulation and attraction with intangible power2. It comes from culture,
institutions, and ideology3. The role of soft power is to change one’s attitude in a certain manner
that one would act voluntarily. The role of this type of power is to bring freedom of decision
making, especially in small states. In soft power, attitudes towards the away people usually
behave are enhanced. Through the application of soft power mechanism, the individual will feel
having rights to exercise their freedom. Soft power anticipates for the mediation and persuasion
of the party involved. It is based on the adoption of some strategic principles and cultural
reference. The ideology applied to this type of power initiates leadership values. The role of
hard power is to put the economic status of other nations under pressure through the use of large
1 Shepherd, Laura J. "Power and authority in the production of United Nations Security Council
Resolution 1325." International Studies Quarterly 52, no. 2 (2008): 383-404.
2 Malone, David, ed. The UN Security Council: from the Cold War to the 21st century. Lynne
Rienner Publishers, 2004.
3 Williams Jr, Robert E., and Paul R. Viotti. Arms Control: History, Theory, and Policy [2
volumes]: History, Theory, and Policy. ABC-CLIO, 2012.

armed forces to pressure the other small states with the less powerful military. In global politics,
hard power military and economy is what matters a lot. Hard power is mostly used by the
international business negotiations. This type of power is only for the purpose of reaching
specific objectives through application of physical military force and economic influence.
Response two: Does the United Nations encourage cooperation? Why or why not?
United Nations encourages cooperation and partnership for the building of the strong
organization. Secretary-General United nations say that cooperation is such an important aspect
since it brings effective post-conflict peace-building and response to the crisis within involved
states4. Cooperation is such an important as it plays a role of regional resolution for any conflicts.
Security Council helps in maintaining the capacity for the international security and
peacemaking. Through cooperation and establishment of Security Council, primary
responsibilities for maintaining peace as well as security are recognized. The root cause of the
conflicts between the involved states is identified and rectified to prevent any future cases of the
same. Do you think control of arms was good to step taken by the UN? The arms control theory
reduces the possibilities of any war occurring. Multilateral norms are giving priority for the
constructions of the strength and institutional pursuit of the military. Spatial restriction theory
employed the possibility of building a strong foundation for the arm. It as well discouraged
distributions of the arms from one geographical/region to another. The reasons why the UN
encouraged are to limit any chances of future world wars. The organization goals are to keep
peace within the all the nations. In building a strong foundation for its strategic goals, it
4 McDonald, Kara C., and Stewart M. Patrick. UN Security Council enlargement and US
interests. No. 59. Council on Foreign Relations, 2010.

encourages all nations to register for the purpose of the unit. New thinking theory developed by
Hedley Bull became a relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union for the
purpose of preserving nuclear weapons in prevention third world war. The main reason why the
two bilateral and unilateral unions negotiated was to eliminate the nuclear weapons away from
their management.

Bibliographies
Malone, David, ed. The UN Security Council: from the Cold War to the 21st century. Lynne
Rienner Publishers, 2004.
McDonald, Kara C., and Stewart M. Patrick. UN Security Council enlargement and US interests.
No. 59. Council on Foreign Relations, 2010.
Shepherd, Laura J. "Power and authority in the production of United Nations Security Council
Resolution 1325." International Studies Quarterly 52, no. 2 (2008): 383-404.
Williams Jr, Robert E., and Paul R. Viotti. Arms Control: History, Theory, and Policy [2
volumes]: History, Theory, and Policy. ABC-CLIO, 2012.