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A major power is a term that encompasses those countries or political entities that cannot be regarded as superpowers, and yet have substantial influence on other states. The metrics used to measure these powers are similar to the criteria for superpowers, but a major power need not meet all the criteria, nor are the criteria as strictly measured.
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| Brazil France Germany Japan Russia United Kingdom | |
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| People's Republic of China European Union European Union candidate countries India | |
Some major powers have experienced relative decline, having once been great powers (e.g. France, U.K.) or, as in the case of Russia, the dominant component of a former superpower - the Soviet Union. On the other hand, new powers are emerging; China and India are presently major powers and are also considered to be potential superpowers. Some of the current major powers in western Europe are part of a supra-national potential superpower, the European Union.
Concept
Major powers are third on the power hierarchy, after hyperpowers and superpowers. The term major power refers to a state powerful enough to influence events throughout the world and can be used to describe the U.S. and the Soviet Union before the beginning of the Cold War. For a nation to become a major power it must match all or most of the superpower criteria, but not to the extent of a superpower. Moreover, its actions must be followed avidly by the world media in general; this is a sign of political influence around the world. The actions of the United States are always followed by a global audience. The actions of major powers like the United Kingdom are not followed as closely, but more so than those of regional powers or middle powers.
History has demonstrated that being a major power is not a permanent tag, and most are either on the decline or on the rise. Of the seven major powers presented on this page, five of them were superpower-type powers in their recent histories. The United Kingdom and Russia (as the Soviet Union) were greater powers in the twentieth century, while Germany and Japan were tremendous military forces throughout World War II. France was at the height of its power under Napoleon.
The remaining two major powers are on the rise and are emerging on a level of power which they have not attained to in modern times. China and India are widely considered to be both major powers and potential superpowers and may rise out of the status of major power in the near future and emerge as a superpower in a bipolar or even multipolar world.
Major powers
China
- See also: People's Republic of China, Politics of the People's Republic of China, People's Liberation Army, Culture of China.
For information about China, see Potential Superpowers—People's Republic of China .
Although China is considered a Potential Superpower or Emerging Superpower, at present it is classified as a Major power. It fulfills many of the important criteria of a superpower, thanks to its large and efficient workforce.
Military factors
- China has the second largest military budget and the third largest nuclear arsenal. Its military, with more than 2.3 million personnel, is numerically the largest in the world.
- China is one of only three countries that have sent humans into space by their own power. The program of unmanned missions to the Moon was announced in 2003 as the first spacecraft, Chang'e 1 (嫦娥一号; Cháng'é Yīhào) is currently scheduled to be launched between April 17 and April 19, 2007 , with further launches by 2010.
Economic factors
- China has a population of 1.3 billion, the largest in the world.
- It is the world's fourth largest economy in terms of market exchange rates and the second largest economy in terms of real GDP (PPP)
- With a well-developed manufacturing base, China is widely regarded as "the World's Factory Floor".
- Much of China's rural population remains poor and are being left behind by the recent economic modernization taking place in the urban areas.
- It has the world's fastest economic growth rate among major countries at 9.2% growth per year.
- Its freedom of information laws are restricting technological growth and knowledge growth from other parts of the world.
- Other economic problems exist, including:
- Unemployment.
- External trade dependency
- Trade conflicts with the West
- Corruption.
Political factors
- It is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, which gives it a great deal of power in international politics.
- Its strong growth indicates a potential for further increases in international influence.
- It has found allies in Africa, Latin America, Middle East, and the South Asian nations such as Pakistan through its bilateral economic and military (some involving WMD) exchanges.
- WMD exports to Pakistan and the Middle East have often put it in tension with the United States and India
- Many foreign nations are attempting to restrict or counter China's military growth.
Cultural factors
- China has been the predominate cultural influence (arts, philosophies & religions, sciences, writing systems) in East Asia for thousands of years.
France
- See also: France, Economy of France.
France has been a major power since the reign of Louis XIV, who expanded the border eastward several hundred kilometres. This resulted in French domination over continental Europe during the reign of Napoleon.
French power grew considerably in the century before the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. After Napoleon was defeated in 1815, however, it never reached the same height of power again. France later gained almost all of West Africa, Madagascar, North Africa, Oceania and Indochina at the height of its colonial empire. These all gained independence after WWII.
In recent years, France has not had significant effect on Foreign Affairs in the world, but its political power is enough for it to be labelled as a Major power. It is part of the European Union, an Emerging Superpower in itself.
Military factors
- France possesses its own nuclear deterrent, the third largest in the world after the USA and Russia.
- France possesses the capabilities to design and build advanced military weapons, such as the Dassault Rafale series of fighter jets and the Leclerc main battle tank.
- Both Airbus and the European Space Agency are dominated by France. The ESA rocketport in Kourou, French Guiana, is the home base of Arianespace, the world second busiest Space mission Launcher.
- France is the only other country apart from the US to build and operate a nuclear powered Aircraft Carrier, the Charles de Gaulle.
Political factors
- France still exercises economic and cultural influence over former French colonies in Africa (Franco African Summits), North America and Asia.
- France maintains 'La Francophonie' a post colonial alliance of countries.
- In the years since the Second World War, France has devoted its efforts to playing a leading role in the European Union.
- France retains a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
Economic factors
- France is the world's sixth largest economy in terms of market exchange rates and the seventh largest economy in terms of real GDP (PPP).
- It controls the CFA Franc which is used as a common currency by most of subsaharan and west Africa along with the CFP Franc used in France's overseas territories in the Pacific Ocean. The currencies are controlled at the Paris Bourse.
- Many French corporations are massive multinationals (Total, CFM56, EDF, Thales, etc.).
Cultural factors
- French culture, art, cuisine and fashion are not only widely respected worldwide.
- The French language, though not dominant as it was in the past, remains one of the world's major languages today, being one of the two working languges of the UN as well as many other international organizations.
- Paris, the French capital, is a cultural mecca for people around the world as well as an important political and financial hub for organizations and companies around the world.
- France is the world's most popular tourist destination for more than 20 years in a row.
Germany
Germany is Europe's biggest economy, and a a founder member of the EU.
After the unification of Germany in 1871 under Prussian direction, Germany began to acquire the attributes sufficient to establish hegemony over European power politics. Germany possessed a high rate of industrialization, outpacing its main continental rival France, as well as Great Britain, the first nation to industrialize and the pre-eminent industrial power. Under the tutelage of Bismarck, Germany formulated a policy which isolated France (defeated in the war which established German nationhood), and gave Germany a central role in European politics.
With Germany's industries in ruins and its armies in defeat after World War II, the country was divided for a generation into East and West. The Wirtschaftswunder, supported by the Marshall Plan allowed national economic rebirth in the West.
Economic factors
- Reunification in 1990 at the end of the Cold War has held back the country's economic growth.
- Germany is the world's third largest economy in terms of market exchange rates and the fifth largest economy in terms of real GDP (PPP).
Military factors
- Germany features a substantial and highly advanced armaments industry, enabling it to build its own weapons systems (Leopard 2 MBT, Panzerhaubitze 2000, U212 Fuel cell Submarines) many of which are successfully exported.
- Since reunification, Germany has become more actively involved in international military missions. The German military have played key roles in both the Balkans and Afghanistan.
India
- See also: India, Politics of India, Economy of India, Culture of India, Demographics of India, Foreign relations of India.
For detailed information about India, see Potential Superpowers—India.
Although India is a considered a Potential or Emerging Superpower, at present it is considered a major power. Of the Superpower Criteria, India matches each one to a large extent. Geographically, it is in a location that is largely safe from external invasion. The South Asian subcontinent has all the resources to support a large population density. The Himalayas also protect it from the cold temperatures of the continent, and stops the monsoons from escaping into the continent. There is also debate on whether India's location near the equator can aid its bid to meet the population's energy needs.
Military factors
- In numeric terms, India boasts the second largest military and the largest paramilitary in the world.
- India possesses nuclear weapons and is one of the world's largest arms importers.
Demographic factors
- With over 1 billion people, India has the second largest population in the world and is likely to surpass China as the world's most populous country within a couple of decades.
- More than 20 million Indians live outside the Indian subcontinent and many assume key economic and political roles in some countries.
- It has a youthful population and many fluent English speakers, qualities that are helping attract increasing foreign investment into the country.
Economic factors
- India is currently the world's twelfth largest economy in terms of market exchange rates and the fourth largest economy in terms of real GDP (PPP). It also boasts the second highest economic growth rate among major countries in the world.
- India has attracted many Information Technology companies with its large, efficient, and cheap workforce.
- It has a booming tourism industry. Last year, foreign visitors spent approximately 15.4 billion US Dollars in India.
Political factors
- India is a founder member of the Non Aligned Movement and is a leading proponent of South-South cooperation as well as defending the cause of the developing world in international areas such as the WTO.
- India maintains strong diplomatic ties with the United States and Russia.
- Its history has left it with the scars of casteism and the religious violence.
- India is still very much a developing country. Over 40% of the population lives below the poverty line and infrastructure is severely lacking in most parts of the country.
- India has an inadequate energy supply for its growing population.
- Despite Western levels of literacy in some states like Kerala, Goa, and Tamil Nadu, there are substantial levels of illiteracy overall.
- India has border disputes with its neighbors China and Pakistan.
- It is a key member of the United Nations. Although India is not a permanent member of the Security Council, it is the largest contributor of armed assistance to UN peacekeeping missions across the world.
Cultural factors
- India has a rich and diverse cultural history, which includes the founding of 4 major world religions (Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism) and the strong presence of Islam and Christianity. Indian music, cuisine, handicrafts, dances, festivals, literary history, and fashion are well respected worldwide.
- India's film industry, "Bollywood" has helped spread Indian culture abroad.
- Its culture has been spread all over the world by an Indian diaspora.
Japan
Japan is currently the second largest economy in the world and a global leader in technology and trade. Since the end of World War II, it was difficult to consider Japan as anything more than a Regional power. However, due to an economic boom in the mid-to-late 1970s, Japan once again rose on the world stage and achieved Major power status. It is to this date a major producer of modern technology.
Military factors
- Japan has the fifth largest military budget in the world. However, Japan's military is restricted by Article 9 of its constitution. It cannot use Japan Self-Defence Force for the purposes of waging war.
- Japan has a strategic alliance with the United States and, as a result, the U.S. has 47,000 servicemen stationed in Okinawa. See United States Forces Japan for more details.
Economic factors
- Japan has significant international influence with the world's second largest economy in terms of market exchange rates ( the third largest in terms of real GDP (PPP) ), .
- Japan exports many high quality goods, technology, and services around the world. Japanese consumer electronics, digital cameras, televisions, LCD, mobile phones, heavy machinery, passenger vehicles are widely used throughout the world. Japan is also home to many multinational corporations that produce various products and services. Examples of major Japanese multinational corporations include Sony, Toyota, and Hitachi.
Political issues
- Japan's neighbours, especially China and South Korea, suffered at the hands of Japanese brutality in World War II and have issues with Japanese sincerity in acknowledging wartime atrocities (e.g. education textbooks not reflecting historical truth).
- Due to such unresolved issues, Japan has been unable to gain widespread support for its claim a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council. This is despite it being the largest financial contributor to the U.N. Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has continued to visit the controversial Yasukuni Shrine which has caused furor in many parts of Asia.
Demographic Issues
- Japan's population is aging rapidly, presenting prospective problems concerning sources of labour and economic growth as well as increased welfare expenses.
Cultural factors
- Japan has significant cultural influence in East Asia. Its film, music, and language are popular with many Asians, especially in countries like Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.
Russia
- See also: Economy of Russia, Military of Russia, Demographics of Russia, Politics of Russia, Culture of Russia.
Russia is the legal successor state to the USSR inheriting many of its superpower capabilities, notably the world's largest arsenal of nuclear weapons. Geographically, Russia is the largest country in the world in area and has control over a variety of strategic raw materials, including oil, natural gas, and uranium. It also possesses substantial conventional military might, retaining the ability to develop advanced military and space technologies.
Military factors
- Russia has the world's largest nuclear arsenal, combined with effective inter-continental delivery systems.
- Russia maintains some military bases abroad, giving it regional power projection capabilities. Additionally, its long-range airforce and navy theoretically allow Russia to project a moderate amount of power in many distant parts of the world.
- Russia possesses a large conventional military, but one which is severely underfunded. It has increased its defence budget in recent years, allowing the procurement of modern military hardware, albeit in a sporadic fashion.
- Russia has the capability to design and build advanced nuclear and conventional weapons systems such as the modern Topol-M ICBM, the Bulava SLBM, the PAK-FA 5th generation fighter, the advanced Borei-class nuclear submarine, and the S-400 surface-to-air missile complex.
Economic factors
- The Russian economy suffered from severe inflation and rising poverty after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In recent years, Russia has experienced significant economic recovery and has a burgeoning market economy. It is no longer dependent on foreign lenders, has consistent budget surpluses, and has built up substantial gold and foreign currency reserves. A portion of these reserves has been used to pay down foreign loans ahead of time, eliminating almost all of the debt that Russia inherited from the USSR.
- Russia is home to large energy companies such as Lukoil and Gazprom, which bring in significant revenue for the country.
- Russia earns considerable income from its exports of advanced military hardware.
Political factors
- Russia is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, giving it the ability to veto resolutions.
- It is a member of influential international organizations such as the G8, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, and the SCO. In 2006, Russia took over the rotating presidency of the G8.
- Russia is the dominant member of the CIS and has been expanding its influence by pushing for the implementation of a common economic space between certain members of this organization (possibly within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Community). Russia is also a dominant member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which groups some CIS states into a common defense sphere.
- Russia's status as a major oil and gas supplier gives it tremendous strategic leverage - as seen in the Russia-Ukraine gas dispute in December 2005.
- Russia pursues an active foreign policy and has been involved in numerous international diplomatic efforts. It has been instrumental in trying to deal with nations such as Iran and North Korea, and is also a member of the Middle East Peace Quartet.
- Russia’s strong space capabilities give it significant influence in international space matters. It is a major partner in space projects such as the International Space Station and is also working on a proposed new-generation Kliper spacecraft. Following the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster and the grounding of the U.S. shuttle fleet, Russian Soyuz and Progress spacecraft became the only way of reaching the station.
- Significant post-Soviet corruption diverts vast sums of government resources away from valuable programs. Corruption is also endemic in the private business sector.
- The Russian population faces critical demographic decline. Low life expectancy, attributed to an increase in crime and disease, and a declining birthrate point to a severe long-term decrease in population.
- Substantial ethnic strife is emerging in the Caucasus with the potential to destabilize the region.
Cultural factors
- Many people outside of Russia, primarily in the CIS and other former Soviet republics, speak Russian. The language enjoys official status in several CIS states, and Russian-language media and publications are available even in those states where it has no official status. Russian is an official language of the United Nations.
- Russians have made significant achievements in areas such as classical music, literature, art, science, and sports.
United Kingdom
- See also: Demographics of the United Kingdom, Economy of the United Kingdom, Politics of the United Kingdom, Culture of the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom was the first nation to industrialise and the first nation to develop a truly global reach; by its height in 1921, a quarter of the world's population were subjects of the British Crown and it controlled an empire spanning a third of the globe. The Royal Navy was the most powerful in the world for over a hundred years, as a result effectively controlling nearly all seaborne commerce and trade. Its extent was so great that its influence is commonly referred to by historians as finding its peer only in the Roman Empire. However, the two decades following World War II saw most of the British Empire's colonies gain independence, most notably after the independence of India in 1947 and the 1956 Suez Crisis.
Today, the modern United Kingdom is part of the Commonwealth of Nations, an association of independent sovereign states, directly descended from the British Empire. The UK also has close relationships with the fifteen other Commonwealth Realms, as they all share Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.
It is a member of the European Union, an Emerging Superpower.
Military factors
- The United Kingdom has traditionally had a close relationship with the United States, both politically and militarily. In recent years this has led to substantial integration on both the military and the political level.
- The UK is one of the five acknowledged Nuclear weapon states; the US Navy and the Royal Navy share a common pool of Trident missiles, and as such, are the only states to share nuclear weapons delivery systems.
- The UK is the second-largest spender on military science, engineering and technology. It also has the second highest military expenditure in NATO and the third highest in the world.
- The UK is the world's second biggest arms exporter, behind the United States, with a market share of about 20%.
- The UK and US work closely in developing next generation military equipment, such as the Joint Strike Fighter and the UK's Future Infantry Soldier Technology and the US's Future Combat System. The UK and US share many similar technologies, arsenal pools and use common military components agreed upon by NATO standards.
- The British Intelligence and American Intelligence agencies, along with their equivalents in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, share information on a daily basis through the UKUSA Community.
- The British Armed Forces, deployed to over 80 countries, are one of the most powerful military forces in the World. Its expeditionary capabilities give it extensive global reach, capabilities almost unparalleled outside those of the United States Military.
- The Royal Navy is the second largest navy in the World in terms of gross tonnage.
Cultural factors
- The United Kingdom's cultural influence is underpinned by the spread of the English Language around the globe, which is now the second-most widely spoken language worldwide. Historically, this language is a legacy of Britain's former empire, when the UK spread it across the world through the British Empire. Today, the combined influence of the United States and the United Kingdom keep English as the primary language of world trade.
- Britain and its culture draw in many visitors and migrants from overseas. London is one of the world's great cities with a plethora of world-class museums and arts venues. London is reckoned to be one of the four Global cities (London, New York, Paris, and Tokyo).
Political factors
- The modern United Kingdom is a major player on the world stage, both in its own right and through its position as one of the key members of the European Union and the Commonwealth.
- The UK has a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
- There is close co-operation on all levels between the UK and US (the so-called special relationship). Around one million Americans are employed by UK companies and the same number of British people are employed by US businesses. The UK is the largest foreign investor in the US while the US the largest foreign investor in the UK.
Economic factors
- The United Kingdom possesses the fifth largest economy in the world in terms of market exchange rates and the sixth largest by purchasing power parity (PPP) exchange rates.
- It is a founder member of the G8 Group of leading developed economies.
- London, the British capital, is one of the top commercial and financial centres in the world.
Potential major powers
Brazil
Brazil has been considered an emerging major power for many years now. Most recently it has been identified, along with China, Russia, and India, as having the potential to be one of the dominant global economies by 2050 (the BRIC thesis).
Military Factors
- Brazil has not developed nuclear weapons nor any effective missile delivery system.
- The Brazilian military is small and inadequately equipped.
Economic Factors
- Among the emerging markets that form BRIC, Brazil is the most integrated and important member in the international capital markets, followed by Russia. China and India are still infant nations concerning this parameter.
- Brazil possesses an industrialized economy, having the 9th largest GDP (PPP) in the world, being the core economy of Mercosur or an eventual South American Community of Nations. Goods exported include steel, electronics, cars and buses, airplanes (Embraer is the fourth largest airplane maker), agricultural equipment, ships and engines among others.
- Brazil is already an important exporter platform for South America, utilized by many multinationals.
- The country is an important commodity (mineral and agricultural) producer.
Political Factors
- The country's population is the 5th largest in the world
- Brazil has yet to gain any imposing and decisive presence and influence at many international forums, at the level of other powers.
- Brazil still suffers from many problems typical of developing countries, such as poor infrastructure, poverty, a massive gap between the rich and poor, an unstable economy, disease, famine, widespread corruption, and inefficiency.
- Brazil is an important contributor to the peacekeeping troops of United Nations and is claiming a permanent seat (along with Japan, India and Germany) at the UN Security Council.
- The country is a leader among developing countries in diverse questions such as trade disputes at the World Trade Organization.