Posted by Impressive interviews: Alexander Stubb @alexstubb Apr 26
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Director & Professor @STGEUI
Chair @cmioffice
Former Prime-, Finance- & Foreign Minister of Finland (2008-16). Bookworm. PhD LSE. Sportsnut. Sub-9.30 Ironman.
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The first, and most self-evident, is military – conventional and non-conventional. It is mostly about expenditure, size and capability. But also equipment, quality, and experience. Technology gives an edge with the new instruments of war – drones, cyber and AI. 1/10
Second, the economy. Think beyond size, competition or GDP per capita. More about how you can use the economy as an instrument of power. Export controls, sanctions and data regulation are useful tools. Also currencies, financial flows and reserves, useful tools. 2/10
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Third, technology is one of the key battlefields of the modern world. Developments in AI, robotisation and quantum computers are key. Requires digital infrastructure, critical raw materials, data storage, semiconductors and innovation. Weak in tech means blunt instrument. 3/10
Fourth, climate does not sound like an instrument of power, but it is. It is about living conditions and about the capacity to cope with the transition towards carbon neutrality. Winners: renewables, innovators and nuclear. Losers: holders of stranded gas and oil assets. 4/10
Fifth, geography. Can’t change it. Have to live with what you have. Natural resources, climate and terrain are key elements of wealth, living conditions and security. Geographic location can give both a competetive advantage or disadvantage. 5/10
Sixth, institutions. Both national and international. Internally a country without functioning, stable and resilient institutions is doomed to fail. Externally a country without the capacity form alliances in international institutions will have limited impact. 6/10
Seventh, science is the foundation of any functioning society. Without research, development and innovation, there is stagnation. With good primary and secondary education, universities and resources for science, there is progress. Certainly a competitive advantage. 7/10
Eight, information is an instrument of power. We see it in the war in Ukraine, but more broadly across society. The one who controls the narrative, sets the agenda. In a democracy it is about free speech and facts. In an autocracy it is about propaganda and disinformation. 8/10
Ninth, data is power. It is probably one of the most valuable commodities of the modern world. Mined by states, companies and individuals alike. Used for surveillance, profit and protection. The most sophisticated data collectors and users will have an edge. 9/10
Last, but not least, lifestyle is an instrument of power. Creating a society based on equal opportunity, economic prosperity & social security requires a good education system, functioning institutions & rule of law. These give a competetive advantage to all of the above. 10/10
Bonus: will anyone dominate in all 10? Short answer: no. Much like with hard, soft and smart power, different players will have different types of strengths in using the 10 instruments. The key is to be able to use a combination of these instruments well. END
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