Relationships are 

also an important part of gaining power in international relations. This means

things like joining an alliance or an international organisation. This can give you more power than
you would otherwise have. For example, Canada is more powerful because of the strong relationship
it has with the US. When you gain power from relationships like this it is called 'relational power'.

INTRODUCTION In the 21st century, the world is undergoing a critical transformation, with nationstates
facing serious political and socio-economic issues. The challenges are global in their nature and affect
the policies of many countries. A prevalent trend in today’s global context is the individual nation-states’
concern over their power and influence. This is especially significant in light of the growing geopolitical
tensions, as well as the diffusion of power among global actors. One can differentiate between hard and
soft power tools in international relations. Traditionally, the states opted for hard power tools in the
framework of realpolitik thinking. Meanwhile, the scholars and practitioners start to recognize that the
world is in need of a shift from old assumptions and rigid distinctions about ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ power since
the economic and political challenges can no longer be simply resolved by military power or policy