Regional power

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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 geographical 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 China in East Asia, 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, 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.

Note that bold countries represent the most dominant state in each region while italicized countries represent potential regional powers.

[edit] North America

North America contains three powerful nations, Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The United States is a Superpower or Hyperpower while Canada and Mexico are Middle powers; the US is therefore the Regional power. US-Canada ties are close, both countries have highly developed economies and both are core components of the West. On the other hand Mexico-US ties have been facing difficulty partly caused by illegal immigration. During the first Bush administration, the US, Mexico, and Canada joined the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which created a free trade zone between all three countries. Recently the three nations signed the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America.

[edit] Western Europe

Western Europe has never been a place in which one nation has had exclusive dominance and remains that way today. The United Kingdom, France, and more recently Germany have always vied for pre-eminence in Europe and are considered the three major powers. 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.

After World War II, the powers of Europe have reformulated their relationships under the co-operative aegis of institutions such as the EU and NATO. Today the major European powers are roughly equivalent in economic power though there are different approaches to foreign policy (e.g., the positions of France and Germany compared with the UK in respect of the 2003 Iraq war). Much like US and Canada, Western European countries feature highly developed economies and are also key components of the West. The United Kingdom in particular features close economic and cultural ties to the United States. When taking into account the power projection and military capabilities of a nation and due to the United Kingdoms formidable and powerful military, highly advanced military technology and second most powerful navy in the world (after the United States), the United Kingdom is considered the regional power. The UK's capability to project power far from home was witnessed in the Falklands War.

[edit] Eastern Europe

Russia, previously the most important republic of the Soviet Union, has practically had a sphere of influence over Eastern Europe and Central Asia 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. Russia has still 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. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia's influence in Eastern Europe has decreased considerably, leaving a vacuum for a number of other states, particularly Poland and the Ukraine to possibly become regional powers in their own right.

[edit] Southern Europe

Italy has been a dominant country in the area since the rise of the Roman Republic after the defeat of Carthage and the fall of the Macedon in Greece. However, its power was challenged by both Spain and Portugal during the European Age of Discovery, and also by the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. In the 1930s, Italy regained its position by aligning itself with Nazi Germany. It further established itself through the fashion capital Milan. Currently, it has the largest GDP per capita in the region, which may be caused by its central position in the Mediterranean Sea.

[edit] East Asia

Historically, China has been the dominant nation in East Asia. After a period of falling behind Imperial Japan from the late 19th to 20th century, China has since progressed to the state of being considered an emerging superpower. It has historical and cultural influences over Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and other Asian countries. It has a strong military that is causing concern for some of its neighbors, a rapidly growing economy, the largest population in the world, and an ancient culture. However, it still currently lags behind Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, in terms of per capita GDP. [1]

Further information: China as an emerging superpower

[edit] Southeast Asia

Being set between two great powers China and India, Southeast Asia has no main regional power of its own. Historically, the power have constantly changed; from the Javanese kingdoms of Indonesia, to the Buddhist Kingdom of Siam, now known as Thailand and also to an extent, Myanmar. As of today, there has not been an official regional power/s. However, the original countries of ASEAN (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand) act as de facto regional powers.

[edit] South Asia

South Asia which is also known as the Indian Subcontinent, is a region consisting of one major country India and other smaller countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan. India and Pakistan have been traditional rivals in the region. However on the world stage, it has generally been India that has gained the upper hand through education, scientific and technological development and rapid growth of the economy. In the 20th century, there were several major conflicts in the region, such as the Sino-Indian War, the Indo-Pakistani Wars, the Bangladesh Liberation War from Pakistan, and the 1999 Kargil War. Historically, Pakistan and Bangladesh was part of India (before the Partition of India). India is the only country in the world which has a strategic alliance with both the United States and Russia at the same time. It has a strong military and a fast growing economy, with demographic, geographical and cultural power - a continuing ancient culture that has seen the creation of four major world religions.

Further information: India as an emerging superpower

[edit] Central Asia

[edit] Middle East

Turkey can be considered as the Middle Eastern regional power.^{[citation needed]} Turkey's GDP , population, number of troops and military budget are higher than any Middle Eastern country in the region. It has influence in other countries, since Turkish Armed Forces has joined peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo and Somalia. Turkey has been a member of NATO since 1952, which is seen as the greatest Inter-Military Cooperation Power in the world. As of 2006, Turkey is in accession negotiations to join the European Union which is an Emerging Superpower already. Turkey is the successor to the Ottoman Empire which was considered a Great Power spreading over three continents for over six hundred years.

Iran can be considered a regional power, because of its large size, population, and growing economy. It is becoming more self sufficient in military and less reliant on oil exports. Iran has a large diaspora and strong ties to major powers like China, India, and Russia. Iran's economy is much bigger than that of neighboring Arab countries and Israel. Iran has a long and impressive history, coming from its ancestors the various Persian Empire (arguably the world's first superpower) and its successive empires.

Saudi Arabia may be considered as the regional power, due to the Sunni Arab majority in the Middle East as well as the location of Mecca and Medina.

Israel can also be considered a regional power, due to its ability for military power projection over most of the Middle East, its technologically advanced military, and the fact that even though it is surrounded by enemies, it has managed to ensure its survival and the defeat of its enemies at every turn. Along with military capability, it has a great hold on international diplomacy, and is a key player in numerous Middle Eastern conflicts.

[edit] Africa

Egypt asserts power and rule in the Arab world of Northern Africa. It's known for its great economic policies and the progressive growth that has been going on for years. Firstly, Egypt boasts an ancient history like no other, with the pyramids as symbols of this nation's rich history before the origin of Islam. Egypt has the second biggest economy in all of Africa, after South Africa, and the second biggest economy in the entire Arabic speaking world, after Saudi Arabia. However, in the North African region, Egypt has by far the largest economy. Militarily speaking, Egypt has the strongest armed forces on the African continent and the entire Arabic speaking world. Egypt also has a sizable influence on the rest of the Arab world. Its main draw back is the potentially explosive political governments. Though it has been known forgetting into problems with some African countries such as Djibouti.

South Africa has the most power to the south, economically, militarily and politically. It's been growing at a great pace for an African economy for the last decade. It has exerted a lot of pressure in what it's interested in. An example is the most recent Eassy cable connections, where its intentions were thwarted by Kenya's influence in the greater Eastern Africa.

Kenya has the biggest economy in east and central Africa. With the past growth in economy and the recent rank by the world investors search,its moving places,the drawback being the political wrangles that have hit the country since 1982. Its military power is not known since it has never appeared in a major war, though it has participated in numerous UN and AU missions around the globe.It also exerts a sizable presence in Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of economy and military personnel.

Nigeria to the west has the biggest population in Africa meaning increased man power hence big leaps in economic structures.Its main reliance is oil, known as sweet crude for having the list processes of refining it. It is a member of the OPEC organization. Nigeria has a sizable military capability and appetizing economic reforms.This has led to the over-reliance on oil that is seen to be a near-future negative impact on the economy. In terms of political strengths, it has been very limited, an example being the recent try by the president Obasanjo to increase his number of terms to three.

Generally, the four main powers have economic strength. Their military capabilities are not know, except for South Africa. Their political fields are more farfetched. They are less than perfect according to the UN watchdogs for the political freedoms around the globe.

[edit] South America

Brazil is a middle power, and the regional power in South America, rivaled only by Argentina and Chile. Brazil is a historically rich land that has a decent economy and good foreign relations with the United States, the world's only superpower. Its 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 make it the strongest power in South America. Its influence has spread to other regions around the world, making it a potential Major power. In recent years Hugo Chavez has become a prominent leader of Venezuela, indirectly influencing the results of many nearby nations. As a result Venezuela had become a minor regional power.

[edit] Oceania

Australia can be considered as Oceania's regional power, the majority of the nations in this region are island states. The next most influential state is New Zealand, which is a substantially smaller nation than Australia by all quantifiable measures. Australia has strong connections with the UK and Commonwealth, the United States and the broader West. Australia and New Zealand as members of the anglosphere 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 Emerging Superpowers like China and India. It has a stable economy, democratic government and has the strongest regional military, which is involved in peacekeeping duties both locally and abroad. Aside from Oceania Australia's interests and influence also extends to Southeast Asia. However, its military and economy are not influential enough to enable it to make an international stand on African, Asian, and Latin American issues.

[edit] See also