Geopolitics of Power in the Digital Age: A Policy and Political Communication Analysis in the Context of Great Power Competition
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Abstract
This study aims to analyze the dynamics and interactive relationship between structural power and the role of political communication in the context of digital geopolitics and great power competition; explain the power transformation mechanism through policy analysis and political communication in transforming structural potential into legitimacy and influence at the international level; and synthesize and develop the theoretical Digital Geopolitical Discursive Power Model (DG-DPM) to explain the mechanistic relationship among structural power, policy analysis, political communication, and the formation of legitimacy and influence in the context of digital geopolitics. This qualitative study adopts a theoretical and analytical research approach using documentary research, qualitative content analysis, thematic analysis, and cross-case comparative analysis. The findings indicate that technology, data, digital infrastructure, networks, and artificial intelligence constitute the structural potential of power but cannot automatically generate geopolitical influence. Rather, they must pass through processes of policy formulation, strategic interpretation, and political communication, which frame meaning and establish legitimacy for the use of such potential. A comparison of the United States, the People's Republic of China, and the Russian Federation reveals a common mechanism of power transformation, while strategic configurations differ according to the context of each state. Based on these findings, the study synthesizes the DG-DPM, which conceptualizes digital geopolitical power as a Power Transformation Process linking structural power, policy formulation, political communication, and power outcomes, with legitimacy and influence constituting key outcomes of the process. The model provides a mechanistic explanatory framework that can be further tested and applied to other contexts.
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References
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