University Of Westminster – Masters Globalisation Development and Transition

George Butler MA Dissertation “Build Thrive Clash Grab Hoard”

This paper is involved in looking at the structure of contemporary forms of power. The paper is split into three areas Hard Power, Economic Power and Soft power.

Hard Power establishes the background of the political organisation of military power from Westphalia to the modern day. It follows the formation of the state system through to the formation of the UN and on to the present day U.S. hegemony. I looked at terrorism, theeffects of the pre-emptive strike doctrine and how the Iraq war has effected international norms.

Economic Power looks at how economic power can be used strategically and positively looking at the formation of present day market based economics from Smith to the IMF and World bank.

I have examined how market fundamentalism has become the dominant form of economics through globalisation and how this ideology is sustained.
I have looked in more detail at the attempt to push market based economics on developing countries such as Russia and Argentina and how it is driven by ideologues.

Soft power looks at the polarisation of cultures, democracy and civil society and how the communications revolution has effected the expressions of soft power. I have looked at the rising growth of non-state actors and civil society in opposition to the current legal and political structure of the nation state system, moving towards the idea of human security.