4 Power, Elements of National Power, Soft, Hard and Smart Power

4.1 Concept of powerPower in IR is the ability to affect others' behaviour to obtain desired outcomes — the capacity to make others do what they would not otherwise do (and prevent them doing what they wish). Robert Dahl's classic formula: A has power over B to the extent A can get B to do something B would not otherwise do. Power has faces: (i) the power to compel (force/sanctions); (ii) the power to set agendas; (iii) the power to shape preferences (the deepest — making others want what you want).4.2 Elements of national power (Morgenthau's catalogue — memorize in groups)1. Geography — location, size, terrain (Nepal's Himalayan geography: defence asset, trade liability, landlockedness — Unit 6);2. Natural resources — energy, minerals, water (Nepal's hydropower endowment as latent power);3. Population — numbers (manpower, market), but also quality (education, health);4. Economic capacity — industrial base, technology, finance, trade;5. Military capability — armed forces, weapons, logistics, nuclear capability (hard power's core);6. National character and morale — the social glue, will, identity (Nepal's Gurkha military reputation as reputation-power);7. Diplomacy — "the intelligence of power" — skill in converting capability into outcomes;8. Government and leadership — institutional quality, strategic culture, political stability (a Nepali sensitivity, given governance volatility).Analytical caution (a mark-winning line): national power is relational (power over whom?) and situational (effective where?); a…