Economic strength is really important when it comes to how countries interact with each other. It helps them show both hard power and soft power. Here’s how it works:

1. Hard Power:

   • Military Funding: When a country has a strong economy, it can spend a lot of money on its military. This means they can create better weapons and have a bigger army. More money helps a country seem powerful and protect itself.
   • Sanctions and Pressure: A strong economy also lets countries put penalties on others. This means they can push other countries to do what they want, showing their hard power.

2. Soft Power:

   • Cultural Influence: Rich countries can share their culture around the world, which helps them gain soft power. For example, think about Hollywood movies, popular fashion, or impressive technology that many people admire.
   • Development Aid: When countries have economic strength, they can help others by giving them money or support. This builds good relationships and makes them more influential, which is what soft power is all about.

In short, having a strong economy is really important. It helps countries show both hard and soft power, which affects how they relate to each other in many different ways.