Power - Hard Power

The use of military and economic force to influence and coerce other political or social groups. Hard Power does not involve actual physical conflict but rather stresses the threat of action in order to achieve an objective. Among cultural diplomacy academics, hard power is looked upon in a negative light as it does nothing to promote trust and mutual understanding between the parties involved;rather, it forces a party to comply with the demands of an aggressor, potentially igniting feelings of resentment and anger which could have long term negative consequences for both parties.