学术英语社科 Academic English for Social Sciences. 8 Hard Power, Soft Power, Smart Power...

学术英语社科Academic English for Social Sciences

8Hard Power, Soft Power, Smart PowerPeople often associate power of a nation with military might or economic strength. Is there something more to the concept ofpower? The answer is in the affirmative, at least to some who study political science. This unit explores the complex nature of power and how it impacts international relations.

Unit 8Hard Power, Soft Power, Smart Power

Unit Contents

Text A

Text B

ListeningSpeaking

Lead-in

Writing

Text C

• Lead-in

– Lead-in task


Lead-in

Task Work in groups of 3-4. Read the definition of the following expression.


carrot and stick / carrot or stick: an idiom about power, figuratively (比喻地 ) used to refer to a policy of offering a combination of rewards and punishment to inducebehavior

Brainstorm and write down what you associate with power.Example: Power is money./Power is like the sun.Power is (like) _________________________________.

Now read Text A to see how the authors describe power.

• Text A

– Critical reading and thinking

– Difficult sentences

– English language for

academic purpose• Specialized vocabulary• Collocations• Signpost language• Formal English


Text A

Critical reading and thinking of Text A

Text Analysis

In Text A the authors explain the complex nature of power from the perspective of political science.


Text A


Text Analysis

Definition of power: Power is the term used to represent the sum of a country’s capabilities. (Para.2)

Forms of power: 1) tangible power: military muscle, wealth, etc.2) intangible power: national willpower, diplomatic skills, etc.


Text ACritical reading and thinking of Text A

Text Analysis

Characteristics of power:

1. Asset vs. goal1) Power is an asset that can be applied to help countries achieve goals.

Analogy between power and money→Power is akin to money. Money buys things; power causes things to happen.→ Power is less liquid than money.→ Power has no standard measurement.


Text A


Text Analysis

Analogy between money and power→We all expend money as an asset;→We also seek to acquire money and to build up a reserve against both anticipated needs and contingencies.


2) Power is also a goal as countries seek, acquire, or preserve sufficient power to pursue their national goals.

Text A


Text Analysis

Debate: The duality of power as an asset and a goal creates a debate over whether more is always better.

1) some people’s view →Countries can become fixated on acquiring power, esp. military power.

2) critics’ view→It is unwise because power is expensive.→It spawns insecurity in others.

3) realists’ view→The real danger is unwise use of the power you have by wasting it on marginal goals.



Text Analysis

2. Hard power vs. soft power1) Hard power

Definition: the ability to make someone else do something or suffer the consequences

Characteristics:→negative incentives (threats, sticks)→positive incentives (inducement, carrots)



Text Analysis

2. Hard power vs. soft power2) Soft power

Definition: the ability to persuade others to follow your lead by being an attractive example.

Debate: Which one is more desirable?



View 1: Hard power is more desirable Reasons: →Hard power is easier to appreciate as it is easier to see that certain coercive measures or positive incentives have been used and to observe the result.→Countries follow other countries’ lead because they share the same interests, not because of altruistic sentiments such as admiration.

View 2 : Soft power can be potent point.


Text A

Difficult sentences

→ Because power could be regarded both as an asset and as a goal, this two facets of it cause people to argue if more is always better.

• The duality of power as an asset and a goal creates a debate over whether more is always better. (Para. 5)


Text ADifficult sentences

• Some people believe that countries can become fixated on acquiring power, especially military power, beyond what is prudently needed to meet possible exigencies. (Para. 5)

→ Some people believe that countries could become so obsessed with power, especially

military power, that they embark on an infinite journey to acquire power that is more than exigencies would require.


Text ADifficult sentences

• … President Bush, who in 2002 professed his “respect [for] the values, judgment, and interests of our friends and partners”, but who also asserted, “We will be prepared to act apart” if necessary and “will not allow… disagreements [with allies] to obscure our determination to secure… our fundamental interests and values.” (Para. 9)

→ In 2002, President Bush declared that he respected the values, judgment, and interests of their friends and partners, but he believed that Americans would not allow their allies to prevent Americans from protecting their own interests and values.


Text A

Group discussion

Form groups of 4-5 and have a discussion about the soft power the following countries have:

1) the U.S. 2) The U.K. 3) China


Specialized vocabulary

Text A

English language for academic purpose

Define the following terms

• balance of power• soft power• power capacity• hard power• realists• realpolitik• coercive diplomacy• national willpower


Collocations

Text AEnglish language for academic purpose

• human nature• remain at the heart of• be akin to• a case in point• positive/negative incentives• in decline• a kiss of death• make concessions• be skeptical of


Signpost language

Text AEnglish language for academic purpose

Summarizing / Concluding

some expressions may be used to summarize or conclude talks or writing.

e.g. To sum up / summarize / conclude… The main points… In short… In conclusion… On the whole… In sum… In summary

Do the task on page 162.


Text A

2

English language for academic purpose

Formal English

Do Task 3 on page 162.


Text A

Critical reading and thinking

Task 1 Text A draws on classification and definition to discuss the characteristics of power. Complete the following tree diagram about the characteristics of power according to the text.

Suggested answers

Asset vs. goal

Characteristics of power

Issue:Is power the more the better?

Power is an asset thatcan be applied to____________________________.

Power is a goalas countries_____________sufficient power to___________________.

help countries try to seek


achieve goalspursue national goals

Text A


Task 1 Text A draws on classification and definition to discuss the characteristics of power. Complete the following tree diagram about the characteristics of power according to the text.

Suggested answers

Hard power vs. soft power

Characteristics of power

Issue:_____________________?

Hard power is tangible because it is easier toobserve __________.

Soft power can bepotent point because ithas the ability to_____________.the result attract others


Which is more desirable

Text A


Task 2 Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F) according to the text.

Suggested answers

1 In the end those who have the greatest hard power will gain the upper hand in any conflicts.

2 Power is normally associated with being tough and hard.

3 We can compare power to money because like money it can be used to obtain what we desire.

4 The more power a country has, the better it will become.

F

T

T

F


Text A

Critical reading and thinkingTask 2 Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F) according to the text.

Suggested answers

5 Soft power can enable a country to have it her way.

6 Realists do not believe in soft power.

7 Iraqi war demonstrated soft power.

8 President Bush does not believe in soft power.

T

T

F

T


Text A


Task 3 One kind of interpretation of power is that hard power is more concerned with economic and military might while soft power is more about values and culture. Work in pairs and discuss what the soft power of the following countries are.

Suggested answers

1 The U.S.: American fast food, high technology, Hollywood blockbusters 2 The U.K.: English literature, the royal family

3 China: Chinese traditions and culture, Confucius Institute


Language building-up

Text ASuggested answers

Task 1 Specialized vocabulary

1 Match the words and expressions in Column A with their definitions in Column B.

Column A Column B

1. balance of power

a. a concept that describes the degree of equilibrium (balance) or disequilibrium (imbalance) of power in the global or regional system

2. soft power b. the use of treats or force as a diplomatic tactic

3. power capacity

c. assets that can be used negatively as a treat or a sanction, or positively as an inducement by one country to shape the behavior of another country

4. hard power d. analysts who believe that countries operate in their own self-interests and that politics is a struggle for power

f

a

c

g




Task 1 Specialized vocabulary

1 Match the words and expressions in Column A with their definitions in Column B.

Column A Column B

5 realists e. operating according to the belief that politics is based on the pursuit, possession, and application of power

6 realpolitik f. traits of a country that attract other countries to emulate it or otherwise follow its lead through the power of example

7 coercive diplomacy

g. the sum of a country’s power assets that determine its potential for exercising international power

8 national willpower

h. the willingness of a country to use its power capacity to influence global events

e

d

h

b




Task 2 Signpost language

2 Translate the following sentences into English using the expressions in the above box.

To conclude , I wish the summit a complete success.

We hope, in short, to bring theory and practice together.

To sum up/ to summarise/ in summary/ there is no clear1 总之，这个案件没有确凿的证据。____________________________________________________________________

2 最后，我预祝峰会圆满成功。_______________________________________________

3 简而言之，我们希望能将理论与实践结合起来。_________________________________________________


evidence of this case.



Task 2 Signpost language2

Translate the following sentences into English using the expressions in the above box.

On the whole, it has been a successful year.

Now, let me recap the main points.

4 总的来说，这是成功的一年。______________________________________

5 现在我总结一下要点。______________________________




Task 3 Formal English

2Replace the underlined words and expressions in the following sentences with the more formal ones from Text A.

1 When the goals and interest of states conflict, which side will gain control is often decided by who has the most power. key: 2 Power in common usage carries the meaning of “hit-over-the-head” or “make you” capabilities … key: 3 Power can be based on positive persuasion as well as negative coercion. In fact, power has many forms. key:4 Military muscle, wealth, and some others are fairly obvious and easy to feel. key:

prevail

connotation

Indeed


tangible



Task 3 Formal English

2Replace the underlined words and expressions in the following sentences with the more formal ones from Text A.

5 We seek to acquire money and to build up a reserve against both anticipated needs and something that might happen unexpectedly. key:6 The fact that power has two sides, both as an asset and a goal creates a debate over whether more is always better. key:7 Other countries — admiring its values, imitating its example, aspiring to its level of prosperity and openness — want to follow it. key:8 Countries follow other countries’ lead because they share the same interests, not because of altruistic feelings such as admiration. key:

contingencies

duality of power

emulating

sentiments


• Text B

–Critical reading

– Difficult sentences

– English language for

academic purpose


Text B

Critical thinking and reading

• What is smart power?

the combination of hard and soft power

Text Analysis


Text B


• Serious decline in American attractiveness in Europe, Latin America and the Islamic world. (Find examples in Paras. 3-6.)

• Robert Gates’ suggestion: commit more money and effort to soft-power tools, because military alone cannot defend U.S. interests.

Text Analysis

American soft power is in decline.


Text B


• Can U.S. reclaim “smart power”?

The author’s view:

Yes, America can become a smart America by again investing in global public goods, providing things people and governments of the world want. (Paras. 9-11)

Text Analysis


Refer to Text C on page 168 and get more information about hard power and soft power.

Text BDifficult sentences

• The effects of the 9/11 terrorist attacks threw America off course. (Para.8)

→ The terrible suffering of the 9/11 terrorist attacks took Americans by surprise.


• Style also matters. (Para.10)

→ The way how things are done also matters.

Text B


Suggested answers

Task 1 Work in pairs and discuss the following questions.

1 According to the text, what is smart power?

2 How is smart power different from soft power and hard power?


Text B


Suggested answers

Task 2 Work in pairs. Compare Text A with Text B and see how you might answer the above questions for each text. Decide which one has a more neutral tone.


Reading criticallyEvery text is written for a purpose, some are supposed to make you believe. It is important to learn to read critically to get the point. One way of training critical reading is to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is the author trying to prove?• What is the author assuming I will agree with?• Do I agree with the author?• Does the author adequately defend his or her argument?• What kind of proof does the author use?• Is there something the author leaves out that I would put in?• Does putting it in hurt the author’s argument?

Text B

Researching

Suggested answers

Task The American dream used to reflect the soft power of the country. With the rise of China, some foreign media began to talk about a “Chinese dream”. Conduct a survey on the campus about the Chinese dream. You may ask:1 Have you ever heard of a “Chinese dream”?

2 If so, where did you hear it? If not, what do you think a Chinese dream refers to?

3 How is the Chinese dream compared with the American dream?

Analyze the results and report your findings to the class.


• Text C


Text B

Suggested answers

Task Translate Paragraph 1 of Text C into Chinese


在今天的发达民主政权，国家实力不再像过去那样刚性，那样有威慑力。同时今天世界上很多地方还不是发达民主政权，这就局限了全球权力的转型变革。比如有些国家还是工业化之前那种农业经济，只有弱化的公共机构，以及集权统治者。有些失败国家成了暴力的温床。还有些国家正在工业化，因此可能经历当年西方类似的国家在 20世纪初类似的发展阶段经历过的那些失调、混乱。在这样一个多样化的世界，国家实力的三种来源——军事、经济，和软实力都重要，当然这三种来源在不同关系中地位不同。不管怎样，如果现今由信息革命带来的经济和社会发展趋势继续下去，软实力一定会在各方作用中变得越来越重要。

• Listening

– Cornell note-taking system

– Listening tasks


Listening

Academic activities

Read the strategies and do the tasks on page 171.


Listening

Task 1 You are going to listen to a lecture on “political correctness”. Before listening, look at the definition of “politically correct”. Write down the questions to which you want to find answers in the lecture in the cue space of the following table.

Listening tasks


politically correct: (abbr. PC) language, behavior, and attitudes that are carefully chosen so that they do not offend or insult anyone

Listening

Task 2 Listen again and take notes of specific information as required in the note-taking area.

Listening tasksUnit 8Hard Power, Soft Power, Smart Power

Task 3 Write a short summary of the lecture.

Cue spaceMy questions:

Note-taking areaDefinition of politically correct:

Politically correct means socially correct according to the views of those who were politically left of center.

Examples: man / woman – person; Miss / Mrs. – Ms; poor people – disadvantaged

Listening

Listening tasksUnit 8Hard Power, Soft Power, Smart Power

Task 3 Write a short summary of the lecture.

The questions that are answered:

Categories of politically-correct languageType A (Examples):

Type B (Examples):

Type C (Examples):

Summaries

new ways of saying things, avoiding giving offence to members of minority groupsExamples: man/woman – person; Miss/Mrs. – Ms; poor people – disadvantaged

terms to attack those thought to be politically incorrectExamples: sexist; ageist; racist; Eurocentric; homophobe

terms indicating a positive programme for addressing wrongsExamples: multiculturalism; affirmative action

• Speaking

– Developing a strong conclusion

– Speaking tasks


Speaking

1) Signal that you are going to finish the presentation.

2) Make concluding comments, such as summarizing the main points of the presentation, emphasizing the important points, etc.

3) Thank the audience.

4) Ask whether the listeners have any questions.

developing a strong conclusion


Generally, a strong conclusion should include the following points.

Speaking

Task 1 Like a country, a person also possesses hard power and soft power. Work in pairs and discuss what is the soft power of a person and make a list of its aspects.

Task 2 Work in groups of 4-5 and complete the following task.

• Compare China with Japan with respect to military power, economic power, cultural power, power of industry, power of technology etc.

• Summarize your findings and report to the class. Try to make a strong conclusion.

Speaking tasks


• Writing

– Writing conclusions

– Writing tasks


Writing

Main points in conclusions


• Refer back to the topic of your paper.

• Restate the thesis.

• Analyze and evaluate your own ideas to explain their significance.

• Offer recommendations for future action.

Writing

Writing tasks

Task 1 Read the conclusion section of a paper discussing construction management and economics in the context of Chinese culture (as shown in the sample). Decide whichpart of the section fulfills the following functions.

1 Referring back to the topic.2 Restating the thesis.3 Analyzing and evaluating the ideas to explain their significance.4 Offering recommendations for future action.


WritingUnit 8Hard Power, Soft Power, Smart Power

The procurement arrangement determines the roles and responsibilities of the participants on a construction project, and the relationships among them.[1] The choice of such an arrangement should recognize cultural factors.[2] The hypotheses were confirmed by the results of the study, which showed that the Singapore Chinese contractors’ way of conducting business is influenced by Chinese culture, Chinese culture can help to promote partnering in the Singapore construction industry, and partnering is easier between Chinese contractors and clients because of their similar culture.[3]

Suggested answers


Chinese culture can help to enhance partnering implementation. However, much needs to be done to realize this. More research is required on the business culture of Chinese Singaporeans and, in particular, on the construction industry. There is scope for the trade associations in construction such as the Singapore Contractors’ Association Ltd. (SCAL) and the Real Estate Developers Association of Singapore (REDAS), and the Chinese organizations, such as clan associations, to collaborate to support and participate in this effort. They should also educate the industry on how Chinese culture can be used to improve project performance.[4]

Suggested answers


The choice of an appropriate procurement arrangement is a major determinant of project performance. Thus, programmes for developing the Singapore construction industry should have a cultural element. The use of Chinese culture to enhance partnering would contribute significantly to efforts to solve the problems facing the industry. [4]

Suggested answers


Partnering is still in its infancy in Singapore, despite its

benefits. The intrinsic values of Chinese culture facilitate partnering implementation because of their emphasis on guan xi, mutuality and respect, trust and friendship, and maintaining harmony, which are success factors in partnering implementation. The Singapore Chinese contractors need to discard their mutual distrust and embrace their Chinese roots to implement partnering. Chinese contractors should use their cultural heritage to enhance their positions in the tough and demanding construction market by applying partnering. This heritage also makes them well placed to apply partnering to enhance their competitiveness in the regional market. [4]

Task 2 Write up the conclusion of your research project.

Suggested answers

Do the following tasks:

1. Find out main points of Text A;

2. Define the key terms with examples;

3. Mark the specialized vocabulary and explain them;

4. Underline the collocations you think important.

Get ready for Unit 9


学术英语社科 Academic English for Social Sciences. 8 Hard Power, Soft Power, Smart Power...

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Transcript of 学术英语社科 Academic English for Social Sciences. 8 Hard Power, Soft Power, Smart Power...

学术英语 社科 Academic English for Social Sciences. 8 Hard Power, Soft Power, Smart Power...

Documents

Transcript of 学术英语 社科 Academic English for Social Sciences. 8 Hard Power, Soft Power, Smart Power...

学术英语社科 Academic English for Social Sciences. 8 Hard Power, Soft Power, Smart Power...

Transcript of 学术英语社科 Academic English for Social Sciences. 8 Hard Power, Soft Power, Smart Power...