Communication as a Source of National Power
COMMUNICATION AS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL POWER
Introduction Power has always been central theme of International Relations. States interact on the basis of relative national power to safeguard national interests. In this anarchic world definition and quantification of National power has been an area of interest of theorists like Nicolo Machiavelli, David Hume, E.H Carr and Hans J. Morgentheu.[1] National power was divided in to elements of Geography, Demography, Natural resources, Industrial Capacity (Tech), Military preparedness, National Character and Morale.[2] These elements were also classified as tangible and intangible in an effort to quantity them.[3] The nature of power is complex and ever changing.[4] It is never stagnant and thus needs to be studied and evaluated to foresee future events and conflicts. During the last few decades communication revolution has emerged as a crucial source of national power. Like other elements of power, communication work in coordination with others and increase the net ability of national power of a state manifold. Information and communication are two ends of the same coin. However, communication is the nucleus of modern advancements without which information is worthless. The ‘communication revolution’ terminology is also characterized as ‘Information and Communication revolution (ICR)’. The technical advances in the field of information sensors, computers, satellite communication systems, TV channels and internet have changed the social, political, economic and military dynamics of the world affairs. Two major phenomena have occurred. One is of ‘globalization’ encompassing social, political and economic aspects of communication revolution and other is of changing dynamics of modern warfare generally termed as ‘Revolution in Military Affairs’. These revolutionary changes have also affected political thought and Grand strategy mechanism. The hard power concept was added with ‘soft power’ concept.
Introduction Power has always been central theme of International Relations. States interact on the basis of relative national power to safeguard national interests. In this anarchic world definition and quantification of National power has been an area of interest of theorists like Nicolo Machiavelli, David Hume, E.H Carr and Hans J. Morgentheu.[1] National power was divided in to elements of Geography, Demography, Natural resources, Industrial Capacity (Tech), Military preparedness, National Character and Morale.[2] These elements were also classified as tangible and intangible in an effort to quantity them.[3] The nature of power is complex and ever changing.[4] It is never stagnant and thus needs to be studied and evaluated to foresee future events and conflicts. During the last few decades communication revolution has emerged as a crucial source of national power. Like other elements of power, communication work in coordination with others and increase the net ability of national power of a state manifold. Information and communication are two ends of the same coin. However, communication is the nucleus of modern advancements without which information is worthless. The ‘communication revolution’ terminology is also characterized as ‘Information and Communication revolution (ICR)’. The technical advances in the field of information sensors, computers, satellite communication systems, TV channels and internet have changed the social, political, economic and military dynamics of the world affairs. Two major phenomena have occurred. One is of ‘globalization’ encompassing social, political and economic aspects of communication revolution and other is of changing dynamics of modern warfare generally termed as ‘Revolution in Military Affairs’. These revolutionary changes have also affected political thought and Grand strategy mechanism. The hard power concept was added with ‘soft power’ concept.