Regional power
From Free net encyclopedia
A regional power is a term used in the field of international relations to describe a state with power and influence that allows it to have a certain element of control over its geogaphical region. Regional power can be considered very much as an interchangeable term, all regional powers are carriers of another position in the Power Hierarchy. If there are any major powers or superpowers in a region, they are automatically accepted as a regional power, even though their power and influence spreads well beyond the boundaries of their region (this can be seen with India in South Asia and the United States in North America). There are some regions, like Oceania, that are considered Middle powers. Most regions would only have one dominant regional power, with the remaining powers under its influence, however, in places like Europe and East Asia, this is not always the case.
There is no clear delineation between a "great", "major", and "regional" power. Different theorists will disagree how to classify some states and some states may be regarded as both great/major and regional powers. Examples of countries with such uncertain status as a great, major, or regional power include China, India, and Japan.
Examples of states that are often regarded as regional powers are shown below.
- United States in North America.
- France, Germany and United Kingdom in Western Europe
- Russia in Eastern Europe
- China in East Asia
- Indonesia in Southeast Asia
- India in South Asia
- Israel and Iran in the Middle East
- South Africa and Nigeria in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Brazil in Latin America
- Australia in Oceania
Contents |
North America
There are basically two strong nations encompassed in North America: Canada and the United States. The United States is a Superpower while Canada is a Middle power. The United States has a strong say in the affairs of its neighbours, making it the regional power for North America.
Western Europe
Western Europe has never been a place in which one nation has had a complete sphere of influence and remains that way today. The United Kingdom, France, and more latterly Germany have always vied for pre-eminence in Europe. This rivalry extended both within and outside Europe; the Hundred Years War, Napoleonic War and the World Wars being prime examples. The growth of colonial empires during the 18th and 19th centuries was almost invariably conducted in competition and in conflict with other European powers.
Post World War 2 the Powers of Europe have reformulated their relationships under the co-operative aegis of institutions such as the EU and NATO. Today the European powers are roughly equivalent in economic power although they differ in their approaches to foreign policy (Eg. The positions of France and Germany compared with the UK in respect of the 2004 Iraq war).
Eastern Europe
Russia, in the past called the Soviet Union, has practically had a sphere of influence over Eastern Europe for most of its history. This sphere of influence was particularly noted during the Cold War era, where most of Eastern Europe was encompassed into its union. There are no other major powers in Eastern Europe and no other nation that has ever been a Superpower. It has a strong say in the foreign affairs of former Soviet States such as the Ukraine and there is a strong Russian diaspora in some of these states. Russia is currently considered a Major power.
East Asia
Historically and presently, China or the People's Republic of China have been the dominant nation in East Asia. Periodically falling behind Japan in World War II, Communist China has since progressed to the state of being considered a Potential Superpower. It has historical cultural influence over Korea and Japan. It has a military that is creating a cause for concern in its neighbours, it has a bullish economy, the largest population in the world and an Ancient Culture. For more information on China see Potential Superpowers - China
Southeast Asia
Traditionally, South East Asia has been dominated by Indonesia, it's only rivals in the region are Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand, but it seems to be Indonesia that is most dominant in dictating the foreign affairs of other nations in this region. It's regional influence falls down into Oceania and is considered the strongest of Australia's neighbours. Indonesia is considered a Middle power.
South Asia
India was basically the only nation that existed in South Asia before 1947. Afterwards, however, the Indian subcontinent has split and formed several nations, apart from the ones that already existed. There are the small nations: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, and the large nations: India and Pakistan. India and Pakistan have been traditional rivals on the world stage, but it has generally been India that has gained the upper hand (evident in the 1999 Kargil Conflict). India also has an integral alliance with the United States, a strong military and economy, strong demographic and geographical power as well as an Ancient Culture that has seen the creation of 4 Major world religions. For more information on India see Potential Superpowers - India
Middle East
With its large stockpile of nuclear weapons and strong military and economy, Israel is perhaps the strongest nation in the Middle East. This is no doubt aided by its strong foreign relations with superpower the United States. However, Israel's very presence in the Middle East is debated, as it is culturally very different to its Islamic neighbours. For this reason, Turkey can also be considered to have strong regional influence. Both are considered Middle powers. Iran can be considered a rising regional power in the middle east. With its growing economy, decreasing reliance upon oil, accelerating efforts to build a self-sufficient military, and close ties to China, India, and Russia.
Sub-Saharan Africa
South Africa and Nigeria are possibly the only two nations in Sub-Saharan Africa that can make a stand on the world stage. The two nations have decent area and population and make their voices heard, they are sometimes considered representatives of an otherwise weakly represented region. The two nations are still Middle powers however.
Latin America
Brazil is considered the regional power in South America and is rivalled only by the sometimes politically unstable Argentina. Brazil is a historically rich land that has a decent economy and good foreign relations with the United States, the world's only superpower. It's decisions to limit its military growth means that it has good relations with all of the other nations in its region. Brazil's geographical location and area as well as its population makes it the strongest power in Latin America. It's influence has spread to other regions around the world, making it a Potential Major power.
Oceania
Australia is the only nation of considerable size in Oceania, as most of the remainder of nations in this region are island states. It's strong connections with the the UK and Commonwealth, the United States and the broader West. Australia (and neighbouring New Zealand) are collectively an integral part of the foreign policy of nations like the United States and United Kingdom.
Australia's large uranium deposits are attracting attention from Potential Superpowers like India and China. It has a stable economy and has the strongest regional military. However, its military and economy are not influential enough to enable it to make an international stand on Asian, African and Latin American issues. It can be considered Oceania's Regional Power as the only other power to contest its place is New Zealand, which is a substantially smaller nation than Austraila by all quantifiable measures.