Introduction
Since the beginning of time competition for world power has existed and will continue to remain till the end of this world. In ancient ages, Egypt and Mesopotamia used to compete for power and then came the Roman Empire who competed with Persians. They were beaten by the Khalifah and the Byzantin empires became the superpowers until they faced challengers from Mongolia and the Crusaders. Until the mid-18th century England and France used to compete with Uthmani Khalifah, at the start of World War I they competed with Germany who had shifted the balance of power. After the World War Great Britain became the world power and France used to compete with them, with World War II Germany rose once again and challenged Britain for supremacy. After the World War II, The United States became the superpower and Soviets competed with them. This spell ended in 1990 with the collapse of Soviets in 1990 (“international-issues.org”).
Soviet Union collapsed 2 decades ago, since then the United States have been the sole Great Power. Its magnitude of military is greater than others; their defense spending is half of global military expenses; their navy is superior to others; their defense R&D budget is 80% of the total defense budget of China, their closest competitor; and their power projection capabilities are unmatched. The world post-Cold War has been Unipolar (“mitpressjournals”).
Current Scenario of Global Power
Collapse of Soviet Union transformed power in international system from Bipolar to Unipolar. To be clear, United States is not a ‘universal monarch’ in the international system as other states also have formidable economy (Germany and Japan) and military (Russia). However, United States ate the only country which possesses great strength in every category of being a great power, they currently enjoy preeminent international political role (“metu.edu.tr”).
At present, United States remain as the sole superpower, though their power is faltering with time they still possess great influence on the issue of international politics. They have the largest economy in the world and are most technologically advanced country with military bases all over world for protection of their interests. Though the blows from Iraq and Afghanistan are two blows which have left them bleeding as both wars lasted longer than the World War II. Unites States army has been left embarrassed by rag tags who use weapons made in 1960s and they have been forced to use regional nation’s resources in order to save their reputation. Russia and China have started to challenge United States over the issue of oil in Middle East, Japan and India has started to compete over the natural gases and oil bases (“international-issues.org”).
Other nations which are challenging United States with their international ambitions are Russia, France, Britain and Germany. In the last decade, Russia has managed in gaining control of their mineral resources and other utilities by banishing oligarchs benefiting from Soviet Union’s Breakup. With world’s largest reserves of energy, they have started to develop their military forces to compete with United States directly especially in regions where United States had uncontested domination. Russia in the past few years have openly started to challenge United States and other Western powers with them planting Russian flag on the Arctic Icecap Seabed, testing of their massive air blast bomb or disputing with United States of their defence systems for early warnings in Eastern Europe. Russia have reinvented them as a regional power after they won Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan from the American grip and managed to block their influence in three Central Asian revolutions. After 20 years of unrivalled power, Unites States now faces challenge from Russia; a country with largest gas and oil reserves (“international-issues.org”).
Historically, Great Britain were a world power having and they still have some influence over their former colonies throughout world. In Europe, Britain has been responsible for many United States frustrations. After the World War II, Britain faced great loss to their international power and the policymakers decided to preserve rather than compete with United States. This was achieved by cooperating with United States over many worldwide issues and frustrating them over many policies which influenced Europe (“international-issues.org”).
Similar to Britain, France has have historically been a Prominent player in politics and economy; their policies have been influencing the world and their colonies as their culture and economic strength felt throughout world. European Union has been dominated by French and used as tool to explore French interest further. During Nicholas Sarkozy’s helm of France they furthered their interests by establishing French military bases in Gulf region and cooperated with United States in Russia-Georgia conflict and in Lebanon and (“international-issues.org”).
Germany is the economic powerhouse of European countries and the 3rd largest economy in the world. It was the largest exporter in the world with $912 billion in 2004. Today, Germany is expanding its economic reach with their distinct economic policies and domination in Eastern Europe. Germany had active role in mediation in topic of prisoner exchange between Hezbollah and Israel. Germany deployed their naval force in invading Lebanon by Israel in 2006. (“international-issues.org”).
Future of Power
In line of nations which compete with United States for power, China has the biggest influence at present. Though at present China is known as a regional power due to its limit on international ambition and focus on its own regional development. Japan is the second largest economy in the world, though they do not have any presence outside the economic world. Their current policy of participating in coalition in Afghanistan and removing Article 9 from their pacifist constitution to allow them to develop nuclear weapons and deploy troops , is attempt of Unites States to balance influence of China in that region. This Japanese development is actually United States dominance in disguise (“international-issues.org”).
After these great powers there are some regional powers which have great influence on specific issues due to their location and history, though this has proven to be temporary. India with the second largest population and 7th largest economy possesses nuclear weapons which grants them potential to influence their region in future, though they are at presently quite below other global powers. Media has played its role in giving India more credit than they deserve for their growth and economic opportunities. In addition, Italy used to be a superpower before the World War II but this turned out to be temporary.
Conclusion
For the past five centuries, balance of power has become central to practice and theory of international relations. At present, United States is the central power of the world though this can change any time in future is anyone follows history. To understand the motives of these countries, one needs to view their history of development, values, ideologies and beliefs. All these powerful nations globally compete with each other and the sole superpower United States. Every major scenario or discussion or war in past 20 years since the end of cold war has seen United States deeply involved due to their economical, political or emotional interest.
Works Cited
Monteiro, N.P. “Unrest Assured: Why Unipolarity Is Not Peaceful”. http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/ISEC_a_00064. mitpressjournals.org. 2011. Web. 2013
Layne, C. “The Unipolar Illusion: Why New Great Powers Will Rise”. http://www.metu.edu.tr/~utuba/Layne.pdf. metu.edu.tr. 1993. Web. 2013
“The Global Balance of Power”. http://www.international-issues.org/the-global-balance-of-power/. international-issues.org. 22 Jun. 2010. Web. 15 Dec 2013
