Hard Power
Hard power is the ability of nations to coerce others through military force (military expenditure, weapons, troops) or economic pressure (sanctions, trade restrictions, financial control). It represents direct power based on force or economic leverage.
Real World
The United States' 2022 sanctions on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine — freezing $300 billion in central bank assets and cutting Russia off from SWIFT — demonstrate economic hard power being deployed as an alternative to direct military confrontation.
Exam Focus
Avoid confusing hard power with aggression — always clarify it includes economic coercion like sanctions, not only military force, for full marks.
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