Chapter 4: Power, Security, and Superheroes as WMDs

4.2: Concepts of Power: Hard, Soft, and Smart Power

Power in international relations isn’t just about who’s strongest; it’s about how states leverage influence to protect their interests and shape the behavior of others. In Captain America: Civil War, we get a close-up view of different approaches to power as the Avengers split over whether to accept international oversight. When the United Nations proposes the Sokovia Accords to control superhero actions, Iron Man supports this move toward regulation, while Captain America fiercely opposes it. Their clash highlights classic power dynamics: some leaders lean on control and force, while others rely on persuasion and ideals. By exploring concepts of hard power, soft power, and smart power, the film mirrors real-world international relations and the diverse strategies nations use to advance their agendas.

Sometimes, the threat of sheer force is what drives people—or nations—to act. In the film, the Sokovia Accords aren’t just a suggestion; they come with clear consequences for noncompliance. If the Avengers refuse to submit to UN control, they risk being seen as outlaws, hunted down instead of celebrated. This approach reflects hard power, which involves using military force or economic sanctions as a form of direct influence to coerce others into alignment. This is the most tangible form of influence and a strategy frequently used throughout history. For instance, the U.S. and its allies used economic sanctions—one form of hard power—against Iran to pressure the country into limiting its nuclear program. Just as the Sokovia Accords seek to restrain superhero power through the risk of punishment, states frequently rely on hard power to bend others to their will. However, forceful measures often backfire, as resistance and resentment grow—an effect we see throughout the Avengers’ fractured response to the Accords.

Persuasion, on the other hand, can be a subtler yet highly effective way to win support. In Civil War, Tony Stark’s argument for the Accords isn’t about punishment; he believes it’s a responsible step toward accountability, appealing to his teammates’ values and shared responsibility. This approach reflects soft power, which relies on the ability to shape preferences through appeal and attraction rather than coercion. Soft power works by promoting cultural or ideological influence that aligns with others’ values, inspiring them to adopt similar goals. For example, the global reach of American culture, from Hollywood movies to democratic ideals, has encouraged other countries to adopt American lifestyles and governance models, not through pressure, but through admiration. This is the essence of soft power: winning others over through shared values rather than through threats or force. When nations—or heroes—align through shared culture or values, they create bonds that transcend immediate goals, fostering partnerships that are often long-lasting and resilient.

Combining persuasion with a credible threat brings a potent mix of strategies, as we see when the Accords try to blend oversight with the implied consequence of noncompliance. This balanced approach, where states apply both pressure and diplomacy to achieve results, is known as smart power. Smart power strategies mix hard and soft power to ensure that influence is achieved more effectively than by using either approach alone. In real-world examples, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, President John F. Kennedy combined hard power (a naval blockade) with soft power (diplomatic back-channels) to pressure the Soviet Union to withdraw its missiles from Cuba. Similarly, the Sokovia Accords use legal and diplomatic frameworks to justify intervention while maintaining the potential for force if heroes don’t comply. However, just as in the real world, this mix of strategies can be tricky to balance. The film shows how even a balanced approach to power can lead to tension when trust breaks down, a reminder that no power strategy is foolproof.

Influence often comes in the form of subtle threats and limited actions that stop short of open conflict. The Sokovia Accords’ threat of labeling noncompliant heroes as criminals reflects coercive diplomacy, which uses threats or limited force to influence another state’s behavior without committing to all-out conflict. Tony Stark also engages in a kind of coercive diplomacy with his teammates, particularly Captain America, by emphasizing that refusing to sign the Accords will have damaging consequences. In real-world diplomacy, coercive tactics are commonly used to control tensions or bring adversaries to the negotiating table without resorting to warfare. During the Cold War, for instance, the U.S. and Soviet Union frequently used coercive diplomacy by employing military posturing and economic pressure to influence one another without directly going to war. This careful use of limited threats shows how states—or heroes—try to maintain control over outcomes while keeping open a path to negotiation.

Culture and values also play an enormous role in how influence takes root worldwide. In the Marvel universe, the Avengers are admired by people across the globe for their bravery, independence, and self-sacrifice—qualities that give them cultural legitimacy and a powerful public image. This admiration strengthens their influence, making it easier for them to rally support and justify their actions. Cultural influence is a key component of soft power, where a state’s values or culture become a tool for persuasion, often crossing borders more easily than political pressure. For example, the global popularity of American music, fashion, and democratic ideals has allowed the U.S. to influence worldviews and foster alliances based on shared ideals, even in countries that don’t share its political ties. This type of power demonstrates how a nation—or an entity like the Avengers—can foster influence simply by promoting values that others respect and embrace. Cultural influence thus goes beyond formal alliances or military might, creating a lasting appeal that can lead to more genuine, value-based cooperation.

By examining these types of power through the lens of Captain America: Civil War, we gain a broader understanding of how influence works on the world stage. Hard, soft, and smart power each reveal unique ways in which states interact, navigate alliances, and pursue their interests. The film reminds us that power, in all its forms, is complex, requiring strategy and finesse to manage the dynamic tensions of international politics. As you continue studying international relations, remember that behind every alliance, treaty, and conflict are choices about power—choices that shape the world we live in.