Matthew Paddock POLS Blog Post #1

 Blog Post #1

Our class discussed the prevalence and types of power throughout international politics and its role in shaping the identities, agendas, and worldviews of state actors. Structural power, established through hierarchies, can engender mutually beneficial alliances or dependencies between states to counter an increase in power from another. It is clear that hierarchical systems found within structural forms of power are still major components of international politics, aiming to forge new relationships and balance possible power shifts. An example of this can be found within President Biden’s most recent action taken as president. As reported by the New York Times this Tuesday, Biden formally notified the House of Representatives of his intention to designate the country of Qatar as a major non-NATO ally to the United States. Biden explained that Qatar played a central role surrounding negotiations regarding Afghanistan and other countries within the Gulf Region, contributing great assistance to the US. However, Qatar’s most important relationship with the United States concerns oil production and distribution. Biden hopes to aid Europe if Russia should restrict the flow of natural gas due to their looming conflict with Ukraine. Cultivation of such a relationship with Qatar is a strategic maneuver which will allow Biden to help Europe and strengthen ties with a much needed ally in the Middle East. 

This relationship between Qatar and the United States was fostered through the employment of a historically developed hierarchical system. As defined in class, a central tenet of hierarchy in international relations involves a weaker state giving rights or resources to a more powerful one. The structural power held by the United States helps to propagate the country as a primary global authority, involved in nearly every aspect of global affairs. Qatar, though extremely rich, does not have much influence on the international stage. As stated in class, those in a lower hierarchical level within the framework of structural power possess a natural desire to “move up the ranks.” Thus, Qatar’s leaders recognize that a close and amicable relationship with the United States could augment their prevalence with regard to global decision-making processes. Perhaps government leaders in Qatar were willing to ally themselves with the US and provide oil to promote their ascent “up the ladder,” with hopes of becoming more respected in international affairs. Although Qatar is still not a member of NATO, Biden’s designation gives the country “more diplomatic prestige and access to technology, security systems and training by U.S. defense forces that has not been previously available to it,” encouraging closer ties with the US and the West at large (New York Times). As time passes, it will be interesting to note the ways in which President Biden’s newfound alliance will be promoted or discouraged by subsequent presidential administrations and political leaders. 

I also noticed a commonality between Biden’s actions and a definition of power expounded upon by J. Ann Tickner, a prominent feminist and international relations theorist. She asserts that power is not about states dominating other states, but rather states working together in concert to achieve a goal. Biden’s alliance with Qatar can be contextualized in the terms Tickner has provided us with. To counter Russia’s intrusive nature towards Ukraine and prevent fallout that may occur due to their offensive measures, Biden has pledged to work with Qatar to develop necessary solutions. Each country respectively benefits in geopolitical and economic terms, but their combined efforts are aimed to execute a certain task. Russia’s power to constrict oil and natural gas from Europe has been noticeably lessened with the introduction of Qatar as a new ally to the US. President Putin of Russia can no longer employ this “punishment” against European nations as leverage to keep them and the US from pushing back against his objectives in Ukraine. Because of their alliance established through a hierarchical system generated from structural power, the US and Qatar have effectively balanced power between the West and Russia for the present moment. 

Source: “Biden Designates Qatar as a Major Non-NATO Ally.” The New York Times, 31 Jan. 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/31/us/politics/biden-qatar-nato.html.