Affordances for states
Published 25 January 2023
This is a list of actions states could take that may be strategically relevant (or consequences or characteristics of possible actions).
Details
Regulate (and enforce regulation in their jurisdiction and investigate possible violations)
Expropriate property and nationalize companies (in their territory)
Perform or fund research (notably including through Manhattan/Apollo-style projects)
Acquire capabilities (notably including military and cyber capabilities)
Support particular people, companies, or states
Disrupt or attack particular people, companies, or states (outside their territory)
Affect what other actors believe on the object level
Negotiate with other actors, or affect other actors' incentives or meta-level beliefs
Make agreements with other actors (notably including contracts and treaties)
Establish standards, norms, or principles
Make unilateral declarations (as an international legal commitment)
Author: Zach Stein-Perlman