A Theoretical Framework and Constructed Model for Sharp Power

Abstract

In 2017, the National Endowment for Democracy released a report discussing the influence operations used by both China and Russia in Eastern Europe and South America respectively. This report popularized the term “sharp power” in the International Relations field. So far, the research on sharp power revolves around the defining characteristics of sharp power, the effects of sharp power influence operations, and how those influence operations are conducted. Sharp power is a new phenomenon, and there is little research on fleshing out a broad theoretical framework for analyzing how states engage in sharp power operations. To fill this gap in the literature, I will first synthesize and review the current academic literature on sharp power. Then I will classify sharp power through three tenets: the corrosion of the legitimacy of foreign institutions, the manipulation of public perceptions, and the pressure on individual actors by the host state. Next, I will justify my methodological choices and develop a theoretical framework for analyzing how states use sharp power. Afterward, I will conduct case studies on the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation to analyze how both countries use sharp power to corrode the legitimacy of institutions, manipulate public perceptions, and apply pressure on individual actors. Lastly, I will conclude with a discussion of the potential implications of the paper and highlight avenues for further research.