Understanding the Mechanisms of International Influence in an Era of Great Power Competition
Abstract
Amid growing speculation that the United States and China are destined for a more conflictual relationship, and that Russia is actively seeking to expand its global power, security scholars and professionals are increasingly interested in understanding the influence of great and rising powers throughout the world. However, in focusing primarily on power resources and international activities, existing
scholarship on this subject has not adequately addressed how a state obtains and sustains international influence. To overcome this knowledge deficit, this article presents a framework for analyzing
international influence that includes not only power resources and influence activities, but also a
comprehensive set of power mechanisms that states mobilize to induce change in another state’s behavior. The article applies the framework to US security sector activities in Africa. The analysis, based
primarily on interviews with US defense attachés and security cooperation officers, shows how different types of activities mobilize different sets of power mechanisms. It reveals that activities that
mobilize expertise, attraction, and recognition mechanisms have the greatest potential for developing and maintaining influence. The article concludes that, to obtain and sustain international influence,
states must be more attentive to the mechanisms of power, rather than merely deploying their power
resources.
Description
17 USC 105 interim-entered record; under review.
The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jogss/ogab011
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United StatesCollections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
RUSSIAN AND CHINESE INFLUENCE IN AFRICA
McHenry, Eric J. (Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2021-06);Current U.S. strategy describes a world of great power competition, where China and Russia are named U.S. competitors. In Africa, a narrative of U.S. competitors gaining influence in a region of growing strategic significance ... -
INTERNATIONAL GOVERNANCE OF NON-STATE ACTORS IN CYBERSPACE: IS A SINGLE ENTITY SUFFICIENT FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION?
Francis, Jaclyn L. (Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2020-06);Cyberattacks by non-state actors have evolved with the speed of technology, leaving governments largely powerless to address emerging threats, partly due to the lack of legal options to dissuade or deter malicious non-state ... -
Venezuelan Bolivarian missions in Colombia: what are the real, underlying reasons for their existence?
Biller, Achim M.; Cardenas, Jorge Galindo (Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School, 2013-06);The Bolivarian government of Venezuela and the government of Cuba use the legitimate status of Bolivarian Missions in Colombia for both legitimate and illegitimate state activities. The overall aim is to undermine the ...