Noopolitik
Encyclopedia
Noopolitik is a type of politik that differs from realpolitik
. Although realpolitik is commonly equated with hard power
, and seemingly noopolitik with soft power
, both are broader in their embodiment of a form of organization. Specifically, realpolitik is not limited to hard power and coercion
, but embodies a hierarchical form of organization. Likewise, noopolitik is not limited to reliance on knowledge and soft power, but embodies a networked form of organization. The idea was originally presented by American
information warfare
researchers John Arquilla
and David Ronfeldt.
Tiziana Terranova (2007) describes the use of the term 'noopolitics' by Maurizio Lazzarato (2004). "'Noopolitics' supplements the biopolitics of the species described by Foucault" (Terranova 2007, 139). "Against the militarization of communication accomplished by new techniques of power, it is possible to think about the constitution of such publics as counter-weapons, which work by expressing, inventing and creating possible worlds where the moment of resistance (the 'no' by which one refuses to watch, listen or believe) is the starting point for an affirmative activity" (Terranova 2007, 140).
, Noopolitik has also come to describe an interest in the Knowledge Economy and in particular innovation and R&D to leverage growth and political reach in international relations. Thus Noopolitik may be defined as the use of innovation and knowledge to leverage political intercourses by other means at the international level. Such "knowledge race" may be either a means of asserting political independence or of generating a sudden gap in the geopolitical balance of power
. The attitude of the People's Republic of China and the ANZUS
in the Pacific Ocean has been described as such.
Noopolitik has thus been described as a defining stance of the People's Republic of China
's economic policy. Aberkane thus analyzes " Maintaining “Leap and Bound” creativity could be an efficient way for China to neutralize popular frustration. What must be acknowledged is that the PRC has moved from a “growth panacea” policy, to a policy of “knowledge panacea.” This best sums up its Noopolitik."
see also Economics of the People's Republic of China : Noopolitik and the Knowledge Economy
Realpolitik
Realpolitik refers to politics or diplomacy based primarily on power and on practical and material factors and considerations, rather than ideological notions or moralistic or ethical premises...
. Although realpolitik is commonly equated with hard power
Hard power
Hard power is a term describing political power obtained from the use of military and/or economic coercion to influence the behavior or interests of other political bodies...
, and seemingly noopolitik with soft power
Soft power
Soft power is the ability to obtain what one wants through co-option and attraction. It can be contrasted with 'hard power', that is the use of coercion and payment...
, both are broader in their embodiment of a form of organization. Specifically, realpolitik is not limited to hard power and coercion
Coercion
Coercion is the practice of forcing another party to behave in an involuntary manner by use of threats or intimidation or some other form of pressure or force. In law, coercion is codified as the duress crime. Such actions are used as leverage, to force the victim to act in the desired way...
, but embodies a hierarchical form of organization. Likewise, noopolitik is not limited to reliance on knowledge and soft power, but embodies a networked form of organization. The idea was originally presented by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
information warfare
Information warfare
The term Information Warfare is primarily an American concept involving the use and management of information technology in pursuit of a competitive advantage over an opponent...
researchers John Arquilla
John Arquilla
John Arquilla received a PhD in International Relations from Stanford in 1991. He worked at RAND for several years, before joining the faculty of the US Naval Postgraduate School in 1993....
and David Ronfeldt.
Tiziana Terranova (2007) describes the use of the term 'noopolitics' by Maurizio Lazzarato (2004). "'Noopolitics' supplements the biopolitics of the species described by Foucault" (Terranova 2007, 139). "Against the militarization of communication accomplished by new techniques of power, it is possible to think about the constitution of such publics as counter-weapons, which work by expressing, inventing and creating possible worlds where the moment of resistance (the 'no' by which one refuses to watch, listen or believe) is the starting point for an affirmative activity" (Terranova 2007, 140).
the Knowledge Economy and the BRICS
While the term initially appeared in association with the concept of the US Revolution in Military AffairsRevolution in Military Affairs
The military concept of Revolution in Military Affairs is a theory about the future of warfare, often connected to technological and organizational recommendations for change in the United States military and others....
, Noopolitik has also come to describe an interest in the Knowledge Economy and in particular innovation and R&D to leverage growth and political reach in international relations. Thus Noopolitik may be defined as the use of innovation and knowledge to leverage political intercourses by other means at the international level. Such "knowledge race" may be either a means of asserting political independence or of generating a sudden gap in the geopolitical balance of power
Lateral Pressure Theory
“Lateral pressure” refers to any tendency of individuals and societies to expand their activities and exert influence and control beyond their established boundaries, whether for economic, political, military, scientific, religious, or other purposes...
. The attitude of the People's Republic of China and the ANZUS
ANZUS
The Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty is the military alliance which binds Australia and New Zealand and, separately, Australia and the United States to cooperate on defence matters in the Pacific Ocean area, though today the treaty is understood to relate to attacks...
in the Pacific Ocean has been described as such.
Noopolitik has thus been described as a defining stance of the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
's economic policy. Aberkane thus analyzes " Maintaining “Leap and Bound” creativity could be an efficient way for China to neutralize popular frustration. What must be acknowledged is that the PRC has moved from a “growth panacea” policy, to a policy of “knowledge panacea.” This best sums up its Noopolitik."
see also Economics of the People's Republic of China : Noopolitik and the Knowledge Economy
Sources
- John Arquilla & David Ronfeldt: "The Emergence of Noopolitik: Toward an American Information Strategy", Rand 1999
- Terranova, Tiziana . “Futurepublic: On Information Warfare, Bio-racism and Hegemony as Noopolitics.” Theory, Culture & Society 24.3 (2007): 125-145.
- Lazzarato, Maurizio (2004) La politica dell’evento. Cosenza: Rubbettino.
Additional Resources
- Mohammad Ganjidoost: "http://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/index.php/newswire/cpdblog_detail/060724_soft_power_noopolitik_approach_president_ahmadinejads_letter_bu/," USC Center on Public DiplomacyUSC Center on Public DiplomacyThe University of Southern California Center on Public Diplomacy is a joint academic research, teaching and training center created and run jointly by the USC Annenberg School for Communication and the USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences' School of International Relations.Center leadership is...
, July 24, 2006. - David Ronfeldt and John ArquillaJohn ArquillaJohn Arquilla received a PhD in International Relations from Stanford in 1991. He worked at RAND for several years, before joining the faculty of the US Naval Postgraduate School in 1993....
: "The promise of Noöpolitik," First MondayFirst Monday (journal)First Monday is an open-access electronic peer-reviewed scientific journal for articles about the Internet.-Publication:First Monday is sponsored and hosted by the University of Illinois at Chicago...
, August, 2007