The main methods through which states seek to secure and exercise power are:
1. Persuasion:
Persuasion is one of the most common and easiest methods of exercising power in international relations. It is done by influencing other nations through arguments with a view to convince them that they adopt a particular course of behaviour. This is used mostly by diplomats in securing support for foreign policy issues. It is used mostly by smaller powers. However, the extent of its success invariably depends on other forms of power.
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2. Rewards:
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Rewards are another most important j method of exercising power. It can be material, economic and political. Various kinds of economic aid and grants in aid help in winning support and inducing a change in the behaviour of other states.
Similarly, conferring honors to people of other states also helps as psychological rewards intended to keep the other states friendly and cooperative. ;
3. Punishment:
The method of punishment is closely related to reward. For, an attempt to withhold a reward is also a punishment.
Speaking about efficacy of punishment as a method of power, Mohinder Kumar says “The most effective punishment is the one which is never meted out because the very threat of it should succeed in preventing the action of which the punisher disapproves and in getting a promise of an action or behaviour which the punisher desire”.
4. Force:
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The force is the ultimate method of exercising power. It is closely related to punishment. But, the difference between force and punishment is the actual use of force versus the threat of use of force. War is the extreme form of exercise of force and is usually adopted as a last resort to exercise power.