Kryachkov 2!indd

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Английский язык для магистратуры
M
ight Makes Right?
C. Soft power
a. In what ways is soft power different from hard power? Do they have anything in com-
mon? Does soft power boil down to ‘cultural diplomacy’ or is there more to it? 
b. Who or what can be considered the main ‘agents’ of soft power? 
c. When is soft power effective?
d. What makes the country/region you specialize in attractive? 
e. How important is soft power in the country/region you specialize in? In Russia? Is it policy 
mainstream or a marginalized concept?
Ex. 18. Make a 5–7 min. Power Point presentation on the international 
stature of the country/region you specialize in using the ‘indices of power’ 
from ex. 17. 
Follow the guidelines in Unit 1 (ex. 20).
Ex. 19. Debate: Peace by Force?
In two teams debating against each other, discuss if military interventions aimed at installing 
peace or ending mass atrocities and oftentimes resulting in regime change are an appropriate 
foreign policy tool.
Follow the guidelines in Unit 1 (ex. 21).
You may want to focus on the following questions:
Who is to decide that the situation on the ground requires an intervention? Does a military 
intervention — regardless of how noble its purposes may be — violate another state’s 
sovereignty? Isn’t the idea of a military intervention and regime change antithetical to the 
key principle of democracy according to which people should choose their leader? Are there 
examples of a military intervention and forcible regime change that have been successful in all 
respects? 
Ex. 20. Project work.
Follow the guidelines in Unit 3 (ex. 24).
Possible project work topics:
1. “All power grows out of the barrel of a gun” (a case for the use of force in international 
relations).
2. A case against the use of force in international relations.
3. A strategy of smart power.
4. Humanitarian interventions and the concept of ‘sovereignty’.
5. The foreign policy of the country you specialize in: striking a balance between diplomacy 
and the use of force.
Ex. 21. Practise making impromptu talks.