Democratic domestic government usually provides law and courts for settling disputes peacefully. Relations between states lack an impartial police force that can automatically enforce a judgment. A state with sufficient power can ignore rules unless others are willing and able to compel it, which limits what persuasion can achieve by itself. Naval power therefore gives diplomacy and collective security material backing when words alone do not resolve a dispute.
Notable Point · 1:24:35-1:27:01
Why diplomacy still needs material power
International politics lacks a neutral enforcement system, so diplomacy and shared rules still depend on credible power.