Great Powers

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at how, in order to ascertain the degree to which states exercise their power, it is first necessary to properly analyze the components which define great powers - that is the political, military, and, most importantly, economic components. The writer then discusses several theories that quantify power in terms of these components, noting that there have been numerous examples of great powers that have exercised their political, military, and economic influence throughout the centuries. Next, the writer examines the current international scene and asserts that, at this time, the international scene is not dominated by a great power, nor should it be. The paper concludes that, while there have been numerous examples of great powers that have exercised their political, military, and economic influence throughout the centuries, at this time, and taking into account the current evolutions in international affairs in terms of security, financial supremacy and political diversity, it is hard to find a state that would fit the traditional definition of a great power.

From the Paper:

"However, the range of their power cannot be compared to any subsequent definitions of the term great power due to the fact that at the time, the Hellenistic world was considered to be the only one available for states to claim. In this sense, one cannot look at the magnitude of their influence but from a military perspective. Nonetheless, in all confrontations that took place at the time victory resulted in the political domination of the adversary. The Macedonian empire under the rule of Alexander exercised complete political control over the territories it conquered. Even so, neither example can be certified as being but regional powers because of the limited amount of time they manifested their dominance."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Berstein, S, Milza, P. (1994) Histoire de l'Europe. Paris: Hatier
• Buzan, Barry. (1991) People, states, and fear. An Agenda for International Security Studies in the Post-Cold War Era. New York: Harvester Wheatsheaf.
• Calvocoressi, P. (1996) World politics since 1945. Budapest: Open Society Institute.
• Griffiths. M. (1999). Fifty key thinkers in international relations. Routledge: London.
• Guzzini, S. (1998). Realism in international relations and international political economy: the continuing story of a death foretold. London: Routledge.

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• Research Paper # 58799 : "Russia and the Great Power Conflict"

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