The concept of power is central to international relations, yet the discipline often focuses on a narrow form: an actor controlling another to do what they would not otherwise do. This approach overlooks other forms of power and limits understanding of how global outcomes are produced and how actors are enabled or constrained. Scholars should consider multiple conceptions of power to develop a more comprehensive understanding of international politics. Power is the production of effects through social relations that shape actors' capacities to determine their circumstances. It has two key dimensions: the types of social relations through which power operates (interaction or constitution) and the specificity of these relations (direct or indirect). These dimensions generate four types of power: compulsory, institutional, structural, and productive. Compulsory power involves direct control over another actor's actions or circumstances. Institutional power is indirect control through social institutions. Structural power concerns the co-constitution of actors' capacities and interests through social structures. Productive power involves the socially diffuse production of subjectivity through systems of meaning and signification. The discipline often favors a realist conception of power, focusing on material resources and control. However, other theories, such as neoliberal institutionalism, liberalism, and constructivism, offer alternative perspectives. These theories highlight how institutions, norms, and social structures shape power dynamics. Scholars should avoid viewing these concepts as competing and instead recognize their connections to develop a more robust understanding of power in international politics. The taxonomy of power includes four types: compulsory, institutional, structural, and productive. Each type reflects different ways power operates through social relations. Compulsory power is direct control, institutional power is indirect control through institutions, structural power is the co-constitution of capacities and interests, and productive power is the production of subjectivity through diffuse social relations. Understanding these different forms of power is crucial for analyzing global governance and American empire. Scholars should consider how power works in various forms to gain a more comprehensive understanding of international politics. This approach encourages dialogue across theoretical perspectives and moves beyond disciplinary rivalries. The analysis of power in international relations must include both the direct and indirect effects of social structures and processes on actors' capacities and actions. This includes how social structures enable or constrain actors, and how norms and institutions shape power dynamics. The taxonomy of power provides a framework for integrating different concepts and understanding how power operates in various forms. This approach allows scholars to consider how power is both exercised and shaped by social structures and processes.The concept of power is central to international relations, yet the discipline often focuses on a narrow form: an actor controlling another to do what they would not otherwise do. This approach overlooks other forms of power and limits understanding of how global outcomes are produced and how actors are enabled or constrained. Scholars should consider multiple conceptions of power to develop a more comprehensive understanding of international politics. Power is the production of effects through social relations that shape actors' capacities to determine their circumstances. It has two key dimensions: the types of social relations through which power operates (interaction or constitution) and the specificity of these relations (direct or indirect). These dimensions generate four types of power: compulsory, institutional, structural, and productive. Compulsory power involves direct control over another actor's actions or circumstances. Institutional power is indirect control through social institutions. Structural power concerns the co-constitution of actors' capacities and interests through social structures. Productive power involves the socially diffuse production of subjectivity through systems of meaning and signification. The discipline often favors a realist conception of power, focusing on material resources and control. However, other theories, such as neoliberal institutionalism, liberalism, and constructivism, offer alternative perspectives. These theories highlight how institutions, norms, and social structures shape power dynamics. Scholars should avoid viewing these concepts as competing and instead recognize their connections to develop a more robust understanding of power in international politics. The taxonomy of power includes four types: compulsory, institutional, structural, and productive. Each type reflects different ways power operates through social relations. Compulsory power is direct control, institutional power is indirect control through institutions, structural power is the co-constitution of capacities and interests, and productive power is the production of subjectivity through diffuse social relations. Understanding these different forms of power is crucial for analyzing global governance and American empire. Scholars should consider how power works in various forms to gain a more comprehensive understanding of international politics. This approach encourages dialogue across theoretical perspectives and moves beyond disciplinary rivalries. The analysis of power in international relations must include both the direct and indirect effects of social structures and processes on actors' capacities and actions. This includes how social structures enable or constrain actors, and how norms and institutions shape power dynamics. The taxonomy of power provides a framework for integrating different concepts and understanding how power operates in various forms. This approach allows scholars to consider how power is both exercised and shaped by social structures and processes.