Why Does Power Matter

The internationalization of our daily lives is increasing rapidly. The essentiality of international relations (IR) can be seen from the choices and chances we make and take every day which ultimately affect the world we live in – every time we watch a news, vote in an election or work on political campaigns, or buy a product or service traded on world markets. Small or big, these choices are unique contributions to the world of IR.
Elements of International Studies: The world we live in happens to be diversified and partitioned – physically, culturally, politically, and economically. Geography and international relations has appeared to have an important connection when states realized the differences they had with other neighboring states.
How does power matter in world affairs? First, power is seen a means of influence governing the kinds of settlements that nations achieve, or circumstances nations must undergo. Second, power could construct political geography, varying the impact of physical distance and differentiating conflicts among nations that are possible from those that are very unlikely. Third, power may be viewed as the determinant for a state’s preferences, which may cause cooperation or opposition. These factors give states the capability to promote national interests, to win an international bargaining, and to shape the rules governing interaction in the global
International politics is driven by an endless struggle for power which has its roots in human nature (Classical), or anarchical system (Structural). It describes the sovereignty as a distinguished trait and is similar with the use of force. Also, if security is absent in a territory, a community is not possible. For Max Weber, “the state has the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory”. On the other hand, the reason and the possibility of progress serve as the foundation of the liberal worldview. In addition, the individual is the seat of moral values and that human beings should be considered not as means but their welfare as final goals. Liberalism emphasized ethical principle over the pursuit of power. Liberals hold the view that politics is more of a struggle for consensus and mutual gain rather than a struggle for power and