The Nexus Of Neoclassical Realism And Soft Power

This thesis analyses soft power in the light of neoclassical realist premises as part of the foreign policy toolkit of great powers to expand their sphere of influence. It argues that if nuclear armed great powers compete against the same type of powers to expand or sustain their sphere of influence over a populated region, they use soft power as a major expansive instrument while military power remains a tool to defend themselves and back up their foreign policies. Presenting its model of soft power, the thesis explores the role of soft power projection by great powers in the formation of ...

This thesis analyses soft power in the light of neoclassical realist premises as part of the foreign policy toolkit of great powers to expand their sphere of influence. It argues that if nuclear armed great powers compete against the same type of powers to expand or sustain their sphere of influence over a populated region, they use soft power as a major expansive instrument while military power remains a tool to defend themselves and back up their foreign policies. Presenting its model of soft power, the thesis explores the role of soft power projection by great powers in the formation of ...

Realism is making a comeback in Europe. This book brings together a new generation of realist scholars. It provides a rigorous survey for specialists seeking to understand the dynamics of international relations in a time of change. The volume thus seeks to explore the European dimension to neoclassical realism. The hope with this book is that it will spark a debate that, in time, might lead to the re-emergence of a distinctly European realist school which draws on the roots of the historical, non-American realist tradition, benefiting from insights in the liberal-constructivist paradigm. Through detailed case studies, the book illustrates that power and influence remain fruitful, even indispensable variables through which to understand the formation of foreign policy.

Neoclassical realism is an important new approach to international relations. Focusing on the interaction of the international system and the internal dynamics of states, neoclassical realism seeks to explain the grand strategies of individual states as opposed to recurrent patterns of international outcomes. This book offers the first systematic survey of the neoclassical realist approach. The editors lead a group of senior and emerging scholars in presenting a variety of neoclassical realist approaches to states' grand strategies. They examine the central role of the 'state' and seek to explain why, how, and under what conditions the internal characteristics of states intervene between their leaders' assessments of international threats and opportunities, and the actual diplomatic, military, and foreign economic policies those leaders are likely to pursue.

The thesis studies the manifestations of UAE power in the Horn of Africa in an attempt to unpack and critically assess the developments and drivers that have led the UAE to reach the Horn of Africa with its power assets and armed capabilities. Additionally, it seeks to apply the principles and conventions of neoclassical realism on the UAE use of power in the Horn. The hypothesis of the research is that the course of the UAE and Horn relations and how they unfold can be better analyzed through the lenses of neoclassical realism. Chapter 1 introduces the reader to the research and gives an overview of the thesis. This introduction provides us with some useful insights about the strategic and geopolitical weight of the Horn Region. Furthermore, it analyzes how it is intimately related to the stability and security of the Gulf region, the UAE in particular, and how the Horn could be a source of strength and of weakness as well if seized by the UAE rivals who may utilize the Horn to outflank the Gulf Region and its economy. Additionally, the introduction elaborates on the sources of UAE soft power and its importance, impact and role it plays in settling disputes and achieving hegemony. Soft power that if applied properly and with the support of hard power will be more productive and ward off conflicts and how the soft power becomes more productive and fruitful if coupled with and supported by hard power. Chapter 2 discusses the definition of both soft and hard powers as considered by the well-regarded writers and how the distinction and defining demarcations between hard power and soft power are still blurry. It demonstrates the disagreements among scholars on the effectiveness of soft power and whether the economic power falls within the soft or the hard power. It delves into the comparison between soft and hard power and establishes relation between them and the dichotomy of multilateralism for unilateralism. Moreover, the chapter explains the classification of soft power into high and low levels, or private and public, or direct and indirect. And besides, it sheds light on the UAE regional attempts, since the Arab Spring of 2011, to project its hard power represented in a dynamic and defensive foreign policy that has growingly relied on military means. It highlights the balance of effectiveness between hard and soft powers and the arguments raised by scholars and academic writers about which of them is more impactful given the reality of the international politics. Before the chapter is concluded, the reader is introduced to the theoretical framework of the study which is the neoclassical realism. It offers an overview on the theory and the similarities and dissimilarities with other international relation theories. It touches on the different elements of the theory which stretch to include international system, the state, as the main actor in international politics, its capabilities and the how the elite realize both of them. Since the UAE is a small state and is, consequently, considered weak, the chapter explains what best inform our analysis of the weak state behavior; is it vulnerability or material power of the state. The literature review handled by this chapter lays the foundation for our discussion in chapter 4.Chapter 3 focuses on the methodology used to conduct the research. In general, the research applies qualitative foreign policy analysis to understand the dimensions and manifolds of the UAE projection of power in the Horn of Africa, exploring the manifestations and motives. The research adopts an approach that is contextualised, open-ended, and interpretive. Building on the literature review, the thesis dedicates a chapter for the discussion. Chapter 4 meticulously analyzes the recent regional developments and the power projection activities of both adversary camps KSA and UAE on one side, Turkey and Qatar on the other side. It discusses in detail the terrorist movements operating in the Horn States. The most dominant terrorist forces are the Mujahideen Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda. The chapter sheds light on each of the four Horn States with a brief background on the UAE-Horn relations. It seeks to unweave how the UAE is projecting its soft and hard power in the region at different levels. Additionally, the thesis gives us some insights into the reasons and dimensions of UAE growing reliance on its hard assets and its expansion beyond its borders. The chapter concludes with the how we can understand the relations between UAE and the Horn from the perspective of neoclassical realism. How we can better explain the nexus of relations between UAE power projection, its national and regional interests, its status on the hierarchy of the international system and finally the hostilities of its adversaries in the Horn. Chapter 5 leads us into conclusion and policy Recommendations. This chapter discusses the findings reached through exploring and analysis of the UAE projection of power linked to the regional developments in light of the principles and tenets of the neoclassical realism. The thesis is concluded by offering policy recommendations.

This timely book analyses ‘soft power’ in the light of neoclassical realist premises as part of the foreign policy toolkit of great powers to expand their sphere of influence. Vasif Huseynov argues that if nuclear armed great powers compete against the same type of powers to expand or sustain their sphere of influence over a populated region, they use soft power as a major expansive instrument while military power remains a tool to defend themselves and back up their foreign policies. Presenting his model of soft power, the author explores the role of soft power projection by great powers in the formation of the external alignment of regional states. He focuses on the rivalries between Russia and the West (i.e. the EU and the USA) over the states located between the EU and Russia (the region known as the “common [or shared] neighborhood”) and on two of these regional states (Ukraine and Belarus) to test his hypotheses.

International Encyclopedia of Human Geography, Second Edition, Fourteen Volume Set embraces diversity by design and captures the ways in which humans share places and view differences based on gender, race, nationality, location and other factors—in other words, the things that make people and places different. Questions of, for example, politics, economics, race relations and migration are introduced and discussed through a geographical lens. This updated edition will assist readers in their research by providing factual information, historical perspectives, theoretical approaches, reviews of literature, and provocative topical discussions that will stimulate creative thinking. Presents the most up-to-date and comprehensive coverage on the topic of human geography Contains extensive scope and depth of coverage Emphasizes how geographers interact with, understand and contribute to problem-solving in the contemporary world Places an emphasis on how geography is relevant in a social and interdisciplinary context

Global Perspectives on Soft Power Management in Business provides a comprehensive exploration of the impactful role of soft power in influencing socio-economic dynamics. In today's interconnected world, soft power drives economic growth through the dissemination of beliefs, cultures, shared norms, and popular trends, creating a country's brand image. This edited volume brings together scholars from diverse academic backgrounds to objectively discuss and analyze the sustainable management, design thinking, and integration of soft power. The book delves into the pros and cons of soft power impact, explores soft power knowledge management in different industries, examines soft power marketing and presentation strategies, and investigates the relationship between technology and soft power. Moreover, it emphasizes that success in the global marketplace is not solely reliant on technological advancements, but also on the added value of products through sophisticated services—a concept encompassed by soft power. This book proves invaluable to undergraduate and graduate students studying business, cultural, and hospitality management, as well as professionals in public and private organizations, universities, professors and lecturers, policy makers, and those in the film and music industry.

The notion of Normative Power Europe (NPE) is that the EU is an 'ideational' actor characterised by common principles and acting to diffuse norms within international relations. Contributors assess the impact of NPE and offer new perspectives for the future exploration of one of the most widely used ideas in the study of the EU in the last decade.

Neoclassical realism is a major theoretical approach to the study of foreign policy. In Neoclassical Realist Theory of International Relations, Norrin M. Ripsman, Jeffrey W. Taliaferro, and Steven E. Lobell argue that it can explain and predict a far broader range of political phenomena in international politics. Neoclassical realism challenges other approaches, including structural realism, liberalism, and constructivism.