Global interactions and global power

The ability of a state or organisation to **shape the behaviour of others** and influence events beyond its own borders.

A state's right to **govern its own territory** — its laws and the flows of people, money, goods and data crossing its borders.

A state with **global reach across economic, military, political and cultural power** (e.g. the US; China is now widely described as one).

**Dominance by one power that others largely accept**, so it can set the rules of the international system.

**Hard power** changes behaviour by **force or money** (military, sanctions). **Soft power** does it by **attraction** (culture, universities, brands).

An **inter-governmental organisation** — a body of member states, such as the **United Nations** or the **WTO**.

A **multi-governmental organisation** — a grouping of governments that pools some decision-making, such as the **EU** or the **G7**.

**Economic strength**, **hard and soft power**, **control of energy/resources**, and **mastery of new technology** — and they reinforce one another.

**TNCs** (footloose profits and production), **shrinking-world technology** (instant data and capital), and **tax avoidance, civil society or hacking**.

**Cybersecurity and data-localisation laws**, **biometric e-passports / smart borders**, and **populism, tariffs or re-shoring** of strategic industries.

Power exercised by **setting rules others must copy** to access your market — the **EU's market and data-protection rules** are adopted worldwide.

That governments and MGOs have lost their grip **only partially and unevenly** — weak over data and profits, strong over borders, law and key industries.