Power & Interdependence May 2026

In this framework, power is not just about who has the biggest army. It is about —the degree to which one party depends on another. Sensitivity vs. Vulnerability

: A state's ability to adjust and find alternatives over time. If a country can easily switch to solar power when oil prices rise, it is sensitive but not highly vulnerable. Bargaining Power Power & Interdependence

As countries become more intertwined, they create —sets of rules, norms, and procedures that govern specific issue areas (like the World Trade Organization for trade). In this framework, power is not just about

The less-dependent state often has more in negotiations. Vulnerability : A state's ability to adjust and

: Among modern, industrialised democracies, the cost of using force is high and its utility for solving economic or ecological problems is low. II. Power in an Interdependent World

These institutions help and make cooperation more predictable.

: How quickly and intensely changes in one country affect another. For example, a sudden rise in oil prices immediately impacts all importing nations.