We explain what a world power is, what are the elements that define it and how it exercises its power.
What is a world power?
A world power It is a State that has great political, economic and military power, and exerts a strong influence on international relations on a global scale. Its power is manifested through diplomacy on the world stage and in the possibility of affecting the decision-making of other countries.
Throughout history, there were different countries that exerted their influence in the international arena. Currently, the main world powers are considered to be China, the United States, Russia, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, India, France, Italy, Canada and South Korea.
The term “world power” began to be used in the 19th century to define the European countries that gained more power at the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Since then, the powers changed with history, and their political status was recognized by different international organizations.
Elements that define a world power
Among the main elements that define the influence of a State in international relations are:
- military force.It is the ability to intervene other countries through force. The larger a country's Armed Forces are, the more likely it is to prevail in international diplomacy.
- Economic power. It is the ability to invest capital and generate wealth inside and outside one's own country. Major world powers make large capital investments in other countries, which changes national economies. Therefore, they exert a great influence on local politics.
- Political exercise.It is the possibility of generating agreements and commitments with other countries. The creation of regional or continental political alliances allows for broader support in international relations.
- Cultural influence.It is the ability to export one's own values, criteria and lifestyles to other societies. Formal and informal education play a key role in people's behavior and their attitude towards their own governments.
How do world powers exercise their power?
World powers exercise their power in various ways. On the one hand, at a global level, are part of the main international decision-making organizations.
For example, within the International Organization of the United Nations (UN), the Security Council is the institution that has the most power and is made up of fifteen members. Five of them are permanent and have veto power: China, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Russia. This allows them to define situations of international scope while safeguarding their own political and economic interests.
On the other hand, the powers exercise their power through the global economic system. By having large investment and consumption capital, their decisions directly affect the globalized market. Furthermore, in bilateral relations with other countries or through regional organizations, they exert their influence through capital investment or the creation of economic agreements.
For example, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an economic cooperation organization that seeks to maintain international financial stability. Its board is made up of the main economic powers: the United States, Japan, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, China and Saudi Arabia. Through this body, these powers influence the national economies of other countries: they grant loans, create investment funds and impose penalties.
See also: Political power
History of world powers
Throughout history, There were different states that exercised great power and influence at the international level. For example, during the Ancient Age, the Roman Empire prevailed in the entire area of the Mediterranean Sea and faced other great kingdoms, such as the Egyptians. These States are often called “great powers.”
The concept “world power” began to be used in the 19th century to describe the countries that emerged victorious from the Napoleonic Wars. At that time, the power of the great European powers already reached states on other continents.
At the end of the 19th century, The United Kingdom and the German Empire consolidated their hegemony worldwide. But the political and economic competition between these great powers and other States led to the outbreak of the First World War (1914-1918), which once again modified the international political scenario.
On the other hand, since there is a global market that connects work, production and capital from different parts of the world, The economic factor began to have more importance when defining a world power.
In general, the following great world powers can be identified at different ages in history:
- Ancient Age: Assyria, Babylon, Greece, Rome, Carthage, Egypt, Persia, India and China.
- Middle Ages: Byzantium, Persia, the Carolingian Empire and the Papal States. Additionally, the great Muslim caliphates in Baghdad, Cordoba, Marrakesh and the Delhi Sultanate. Also the Chinese, Mongol, Ottoman, Aztec and Inca empires.
- Modern Age: the Chinese Empire and the great European powers (the Spanish Empire, the British Empire, the Portuguese Empire, the French Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Russian Empire and Prussia).
- Contemporary Age: United Kingdom, France, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), the United States, the Third German Reich and the Japanese Empire.
- You may be interested in: Global economy
Current world powers
The world powers of the 21st century consolidated their power through the wars of the 20th century, industrial technological development, and their participation in the global economy.
The most influential nations today are:
- USA
- The European Union (especially the so-called G4: Germany, France, Great Britain and Italy)
- Japan
- China
- Russia
- Brazil
- India
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References
- Chicharro, A. (2017). The new great powers on the international scene: opportunity for development or mere change of hegemony? Brazilian Journal of Planning and Development6(1), 22-39.
- Costa, D. (2022). Great power. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/
- Kerr, A. and Wright, E. (Eds.). (2015). Great power. Dictionary of World History. Oxford University Press.
