World power definition: 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 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 have been different countries that have exerted their influence in the international arena. Today, 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. You must read about Scientific Revolution once.
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 have changed over time, and their political status has been 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 strength:
It is the ability to intervene in other countries through force. The larger a country’s Armed Forces are, the more possibilities it has to prevail in international diplomacy.
Economic power:
It is the ability to invest capital and generate wealth within and outside the country itself. The main world powers make large capital investments in other countries, which modifies 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:
This 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 toward their own governments. Maybe you should definitely read about Scientific Thinking once.
How do world powers exercise their power?
World powers exercise their power in various ways. On the one hand, at the global level, they are part of the main international decision-making bodies.
For example, within the United Nations (UN), the Security Council is the institution with 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 capitals, their decisions directly affect the globalized market. In addition, 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.
History of world powers
Throughout history, there have been different States that have exercised great power and influence at an international level. For example, during the Ancient Age, the Roman Empire dominated the entire Mediterranean Sea area 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 at a global level. 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 changed the international political scene.
On the other hand, since there was a global market that connected 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 terms, the following great world powers can be identified in the different ages of history:
- Ancient Age: Assyria, Babylon, Greece, Rome, Carthage, Egypt, Persia, India and China.
- Middle Ages: Byzantium, Persia, the Carolingian Empire and the Papal States. In addition, the great Muslim caliphates in Baghdad, Cordoba, Marrakech and the Sultanate of Delhi. 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: the United Kingdom, France, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), the United States, the Third German Reich and the Japanese Empire.
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:
- United States
- European Union (especially the so-called G4: Germany, France, Great Britain and Italy)
- Japan
- China
- Russia
- Brazil
- India
