ИСТИНА

At the first glance the claim that theoretical studies on power in international relations are in crisis and are threatened with regression may seem baseless and indiscriminate. Indeed, there is no lack of new concepts (or, at least, of claims on identifying a fundamentally new aspect) of power in IR. Such concepts as ?soft power?, ?smart power?, and now ? ?sharp power? ? attract particular attention of policymakers, receive broad coverage in mass media and spark lively debates in academic community. Building on that image, one might think that theoretical studies on power are a steadily developing, if not thriving, research area within the IR theory. However, closer examination of the mentioned concepts reveals their methodological inconsistency, as well as the fact that, for the major part, they are built around extremely reductionist approaches and heavily politicized assessments of power relations in world politics. These facts are all the more dangerous given turbulent, conflict laden character of contemporary international relations. In order to meet current political challenges, to provide basis for rational political choices, theoretical studies on power in IR should go beyond traditional framework of international studies and to engage more actively in broad discussions on power within political philosophy.