Geography of Power

This lesson looks at the way that countries seek to influence each other. In other words, how countries use power. Calling upon Mr. Rueschhoff's over 23 years of military service his Master's Degree in Military Studies, he describes the Sources of National Power and the Instruments of National Power. These are concepts used by strategic planners in capitals around the globe. First, the term power is defined and the concept of the Balance of Power is introduced and its role in keeping world peace. Then, the lesson looks at what makes a nation powerful through the Sources of National Power which are its physical geography, economics, people, national will, and national direction. But being powerful isn't enough, it is about how you use this power and Mr. Rueschhoff explains that countries use the DIME: Diplomacy, Information, Military, and Economics. These are the Instruments of National Power. Countries will use a blend of these four instruments to avoid war, gain territory, increase trade, resolve conflicts, and form alliances. The organizations and alliances that are discussed are the United Nations, European Union, NATO, and OPEC. While useful to all audiences, this lesson is specifically made to address standards of the World Geography studies course in the Texas Education Knowledge Standards (TEKS).