Diplomatic Ceremonial and Display of Military Force as a Demonstration of Policy of Prestige and Struggle for Power in International Relations

ABSTRACT
Policy of prestige has not received adequate attention by scholars of
international politics despite its importance as one of the means of manifesting
struggle for power in inter–state relations. This neglect has been prompted by
three factors, namely, predominant concern of scholars on material aspect of
power, perception of the policy by some scholars as an anti–democratic way of
life, and perception of the policy as a contrast to acquisition and maintenance of
power. Despite this neglect and exaggerated and absurd uses of the policy, it
however remains an intrinsic and vital element of relations between states in
international system. Apart from practices of diplomacy, the policy uses military
demonstration as a means to achieve its purposes since military strength is a
vital element of state power. This paper is a historical analysis of policy of
prestige and projection of power, using diplomatic ceremonials and display of
military force as its central thesis.