National Power: Meaning, Nature, Dimensions and Methods

National Power is the ability or capability of a nation to secure the goals and objectives of its national interests in relation to other nations. It involves the capacity to use force or threat of use of force or influence over others for securing the goals of national interest.

Meaning of National Power

One can understand the meaning of National Power by first analyzing the meaning and nature of power:

What is Power?

It is not easy to explain the meaning of ‘Power’, more particularly in the context of human relations.We are encountered with many different explanations in various disciplines. Even within a single social discipline, Power is defined in several different ways.

Some social scientists define it as the use of force whereas many others explain it as the capacity to secure the desired goals through the use of force or threat of use of force or even by exercising influence.

1. “Power is the power of man on others” and as a “man’s control over the minds and actions of other men.” —Morgenthau

2. “Power is the capacity to impose one’s will on others by reliance on effective sanctions in case of non-compliance.” —Schwarzenberger

3. “Power is the ability to exercise such control as to make others do what they otherwise would not do by rewarding or promising to reward them, or by depriving or threatening to deprive them of something they value.” —Charles P. Schleicher:

On the basis of these definitions we can say that power in the context of human relations is the capacity and ability to secure a desired and intended effect or gain by means of use of force, influence or control.

What is National Power?

After having understood the meaning of power, it becomes quite easy to define National Power.

1. “National Power is that combination of power and capability of a state which the state uses for fulfilling its national interests and goals.” —Padelford and Lincoln

2. “National Power denotes the ability of a nation to fulfill national goals. It tells us as to how much powerful or weak a particular nation is in securing its national goals.” —Hartman

3. “National Power is the ability of a nation to influence the behaviour of others in accordance with its own ends. Unless a nation can do this, she may be large, she may be wealthy, she may even be great but she is not powerful.” —Organski

In simple words, it can be said that National Power is the ability or capability of a nation to secure the goals and objectives of its national interests in relation to other nations. It involves the capacity to use force or threat of use of force or influence over others for securing the goals of national interest. In this way, we can define National Power as “the ability to control the behaviour of other states in accordance with one’s own will.” National Power is the currency of international relations.

Nature of National Power

For understanding the nature of National Power let us know the meaning of the terms ‘National’ and ‘Power’:

1. National

In common usage, the term ‘National’ means pertaining to the nation. As such national power means the power of a nation. However, in the context of national power the term ‘nation’ does not bear the same meaning as is the case in Political Science. Political Science defines a nation as a group of population bound by a strong sense of nationality based upon common race, religion, motherland, language, history, culture, economic needs etc.

In the context of national powers, the term nation stands for the power of the group of decision-makers, statesmen, and diplomats who exercise power on behalf of the nation. More specifically, it is the power of the decision-makers who formulate and implement the foreign policy of the nation and thereby attempt to secure national goals.

National Power does not mean the power of the entire population of the state. It is only a psychological link that makes the people regard the power of the decision-makers as their own power. An increase in the power of a nation really means an increase in the power of the decision-makers, statesmen, and diplomats of the nation to secure the goals of national interest. Hence, when we speak of national power in international politics, we really refer to the power of decision-makers of a nation in terms of their ability to secure the national interest of their nation.

2. Power

For understanding the nature of power in the context of National Power, let us distinguish between Power and Force, Power and Influence, Force and Influence, and its several other features.

A. Power and Force

Force means physical force, violence in the form of police action, imprisonment, punishment or war. Power means a psychological relationship of control which is backed by the use of force, or threat of use of force. When a physical force, war and other means involving the use of military power or police power is actually used to secure certain objectives, power stands replaced by force.
Wolfe and Coulomb’s equate “force with the military capacity of a nation, either in reserve or actualized.” They regard power as “a wider concept that not only includes the threat or the actual use of force but may also rely on positive and non-violent means of persuasion, such as economic rewards, acts of cooperation and ideological solidarity.”

B. Power and Influence

There exists a subtle difference between Power and Influence. Both are intimately related terms with similar variables and sources, and even in respect of the desired end. Both involve the ability to produce an intended change or effect in the behaviour of others. However, the two are not the same. Power involves a use of force or threat of use of force. Political Power or Legal Power is backed by authority or sovereignty of the state.

Influence involves the attempt to change the behaviour of others through persuasion and not by threats or force. The scope of influence is wider than the scope of power and it is more democratic than power. Nations try to influence other nations but in the ultimate sense the success is determined by the capacity to use force or threat of use of force.

Hence, it is power and not influence which is the real currency of International Politics. Role of influence is subservient to power. Only those nations have influence which are powerful nations. Thus, power is neither force nor influence. But at the time it involves, in one form or the other, both force and influence.

Main Features of National Power

National Power has a non-stable, dynamic character and as such it has to be continuously or at least periodically and regularly evaluated for understanding the role of the nation in international relations. National power is always dynamic. A powerful nation can become less powerful or more powerful in future.

Some of the most important features of national power in politics are as follows:

1. National Power is both a Means as well as an End in International Relations

National Power is the means to control the behaviour of other states with a view to accomplish certain ends. It is recognized as the currency with which a nation can secure the desired values—peace, security, progress, development, status, and more power. Nations use power to secure their interests in international relations. This makes power a means in relations among nations.

However, in actual practice power is pursued as an objective or as an end. Nations want power not only for their immediate but also for their future needs. They, therefore, always try to build up a reserve of power and hence pursue power as an end. Thus, power like money is a means but it is mostly pursued as an end.

2. National Power is the Ability to Secure Goals of National Interest

National Power is the ability or capacity of a nation to influence or change the behaviour of other nations with a view to secure the goals of its national interest. It is a relationship in which a powerful nation is in a position to achieve its desired goals of national interest in international relations. National Power of a nation is measured in terms of its ability to secure its goals and objectives in international relations.

3. National Power is Dynamic and Relative in Character

National power is always relative to time and resources. The power of a nation has to be analyzed both through an analysis of the capabilities and ability of the nation as well as by a comparison of its national power with other nations.

Further, National Power is dynamic. It keeps on increasing or decreasing. The debacle that India suffered in the 1962-war with China, considerably reduced the national power of India in relations with other nations. But a reasonably good account in 1965 war with Pakistan followed by a decisive victory in 1971 war gave a big boost to the national power of India. In the post-1971 period, India’s ability to exercise influence over other nations considerably increased.

The status as one of the founding members of the Non-aligned, an important leader of the Third World and the good progress in the development of technology and industrial development have further increased India’s national power. Unfortunately, some domestic problems and issues have been at times adversely affected India’s ability to exercise power in international relations. Internal disturbances have been acting as a limitation on India’s power in international relations. Thus, India’s national power has been dynamic and so has been the case of other nations.

National Power has a non-stable, dynamic character and as such it has to be continuously or at least periodically and regularly evaluated for understanding the role of the nation in international relations. National power is always dynamic. A powerful nation can become less powerful or more powerful in future.

This depends upon the changes in the power potential of other nations as well as upon the various components of national power. The power of a nation is always relative to the powers of other nations, particularly the power of its adversaries. In 1990, the collapse of the USSR and decline in the Russian power acted as a source of increase in the US power in international relations.

4. No Two Nations Have Equal Power

Further, it must be noted that no two nations have or can have absolutely equal power. There can be only a rough equality between two equally powerful super powers or great powers or major powers. The power of a nation is always more or less than the power of every other nation.

5. There Are Several Elements of National Power:

National power is often analyzed and evaluated in terms of the capabilities of a nation which are determined on the basis of several factors, like Geography, Population, Industrial Capacity, Diplomacy, Military Preparedness, Quality of Leadership and Government etc.. All these factors have to be analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively for evaluating the national power of a nation.

6. Actual Power and Potential Power

Moreover, the attempt to analyze the power of a nation must focus both on the analysis of actual power as well as potential power of a nation. Actual power is the power which is immediately available, whereas potential power is the power that can be generated in situations of crisis and times of need. It refers to the crisis- management ability as well as the possible availability of power in the years to come.

7. National Power is the Currency of International Relations

Each nation seeks to use its power for securing its national interests in international relations. It is this feature which makes us regard international relations as a process of struggle for power. The nature of this struggle for power can be analyzed only through an analysis of the national powers of various nations. The role that a nation is playing or can play in international relations can be judged by evaluating its national power. It is also needed for understanding the national interests of nations.

In fact, the greatest of all the national interests of a nation is to maintain and increase its national power. It is the means for the fulfillment of the needs and aspirations of a nation. As such, it is on the basis of an analysis of national power that we can assess the importance and role of a nation in international politics.

8. National Power is the Basis as Well as a Means of Foreign Policy:

National Power is the very basis of the foreign policy of a nation. Only that foreign policy can be effective in securing the goals of national interest which is backed by adequate national power. The ability of the statesmen and diplomats to act and react with others is again determined by the national power of their respective nations.

Dimensions of National Power

The three forms of national power are inseparable from each other. Without economic power, no nation can develop her military power, and without the latter, no nation can play an active role in international relations. Psychological power can be enduringly and really effective only when it is backed by economic and military power.

Some of the major dimensions of national power in international politics are as follows: 

1. Military Power 
2. Economic Power 
3. Psychological Power.

1. Military Power

Military power is an important form of national power. It is regarded as absolutely essential for achieving the objective of security of the nation. For every nation, security is the most vital element of its national interest. In fact, it is the primary concern of every nation to work for securing her security.

The possibility of violation of security of a nation through war and aggression by other nations is always considered as a distinct possibility and hence every nation gives first priority to her security. For keeping her security against possible violations, each nation maintains an army. Military power is regarded as the key means for securing the security and territorial integrity of each nation.

Military power is as such a vital part of national power. The role and importance of a state in international relations depends upon its military power. No state can get recognition as a super power or big power without becoming a big military power. The USA is a super power and it is a formidable military power. Japan and Germany are big economic powers but are not recognized as super powers or great powers because they are weak military powers.

While evaluating military power of a nation we have to take into account the other two forms (Economic Power and Psychological Power) of national power, the elements of military power and the military power of other nations. Russia, the successor state of erstwhile USSR continues to be a nuclear power but it is no longer accepted as a super power because of its economic weakness. China is a big military power and yet it is not recognized as a super power.

2. Economic Power

Economic power is the second important form of national power. It is constituted by the ability of a nation to satisfy its own needs and to control the behaviour of other states by affording or denying access to economic goods and services. The economic means of foreign policy are today the most vital means which a state can use for influencing the actions and behaviour of other states. No state can become a military power without having adequate economic power.

“Economic power is inseparable from military power, for it is one of its basic components, to say that under conditions of modern warfare, economic power is military power is only a slight exaggeration.” —Palmer and Perkins

Economic power is used by rich and developed nations to influence other states by granting them economic aid and loans. It is also through its economic power that the rich states try to secure their interests in international relations. It is used both as a means to induce as well as to coerce through economic pressure for securing a desired change in the behaviour of other states.

In fact, in contemporary times, economic power has come to be recognized as even more important form of national power than military power. The example of Japan can be quoted as a proof. Lack of economic power has been a basic factor behind the weak power positions of the Third World countries.

While evaluating the economic power of a nation one has to take into account such factors as raw material, natural resources, food stocks, industrial and technological capacity, G.N.P., trade surplus, means of transport and communication, GDP, GDP per capita etc. However, economic power of a nation when not backed by military power and psychological power is not very effective in international relations.

3. Psychological Power

Psychological power means the power of opinion and image of the nation. The role of propaganda and persuasive negotiations in international relations is a well known fact. These means are used by the states for securing an intended change in the behaviour of other states.

The improvement in the means of communications, increased influence of mass media and public opinion on foreign policy, the emergence of the age of open and conference diplomacy, the popularity of alternative ideologies the increase in people to people contacts, the role of NGOs and social movements, and the increased role of propaganda and publicity in international relations, have all increased the role of this dimension of National Power.

By the use of psychological and cultural means a nation always tries to influence the people and leaders of other nations. The ability to influence others through systematic publicity and educational and cultural relations constitutes the psychological part of the national power of a nation.

The Interdependence of the Three Forms of National Power

The three forms of national power are inseparable from each other. Without economic power, no nation can develop her military power, and without the latter, no nation can play an active role in international relations. Psychological power can be enduringly and really effective only when it is backed by economic and military power. Between 1950 and 1962 India was successful in exercising psychological power over a large majority of nations.

However, the Chinese invasion of 1962 and economic and industrial under-development as reflected in the outbreak of recurring famines and floods, made it very difficult for India in the post-1962 period, to exercise power in international relations. This made India realize fully the importance of the other two forms of national power.

The increased military power and economic development since the 1970s have now helped India to increase its psychological power in international relations. As one of the founding members and an important leader of the Non-aligned.

Movement as well as of the Third World, the fact of being the most developed among all the developing nations, and now the fact of being a nuclear power and world’s second largest fast developing economic market, have further helped India to strengthen its power of opinion in world politics.

Thus, psychological power is closely related to economic power and military power. It is a valuable and important part of the national power. Nature and scope National Power of the nation can be evaluated only by evaluating all these three highly related and interdependent dimensions of National Power.

Methods of Exercising National Power

Each nation uses its national power for securing its national interests, and goals of foreign policy. It is used by the nation through four basic means Persuasion, Rewards, Punishment and Force.

1. Persuasion

Persuasion is a very effective method of exercising national power. The art of persuasion consists in defining and logically explaining a particular problem or issue or dispute to other nations or any other nation. An attempt is made to persuade other nations to adopt a particular and desired view or perception of the nature of issues involved in any bilateral or multilateral problem or dispute or issue.

Here the attempt is to convince others about the reasonableness and justness of the policies of the nation. Diplomacy basically uses persuasion as a method of securing support for the foreign policy that it represents.

Persuasion is widely used by diplomats and statesmen for securing the desired and defined objectives of the foreign policy. It is an effective method of exercising power. But success in persuasion can be achieved only when it is supplemented by other methods and when it is backed by a strong national power and effective foreign policy.

2. Rewards

The second popular method of exercising power is the offering of rewards. These rewards can be material or economic or psychological. A nation can give material help to another nation in times of crisis or even otherwise. The practice of giving economic aid and easy loans or grants-in-aid is another method of winning support and inducing a change in the behavior of other states.

The token support or grant of certain honors to the statesmen, philosophers, artists, scientists and educationists of other nations also serve as psychological rewards intended to keep the other states friendly and cooperative.

The lease of territories or a military bases or equipment—industrial or military, transit and trade facilities and grant of right to allow passage of ships are some of the other forms of rewards which a state can offer to other states for securing a desired change in their behaviors. The USA is currently rewarding Pakistan for supporting US operations against terrorists in Afghanistan.

3. Punishment

A third way of exercising power is punishment. A powerful nation can inflict punishment on an offending or unhelpful state by imposing economic sanctions or norms or policies or placing trade restrictions or ensuring a denial of a possible reward. Denial or reduction in foreign aid or loan or refusal to export certain items or technology can be used by a powerful nation for inflicting a punishment or pressure on other nations.

Thus punishment can be used by a powerful nation for exercising its power over other states. In actual practice the powerful nations use threat of punishment as a method and refrain from actual imposition of punishment. The recourse to punishment can cause a reaction and thus harm the interest of the state resorting to punishment as a method of exercising its power.

The most effective punishment is the one which secures the desired objective of a state without the actual infliction of punishment on other states. Threat of punishment is a better method of exercise of national power than its actual infliction.

4. Force

The last method of exercising power is the actual use of force or physical violence. By the use of military power or physical force, a powerful nation can compel the desired change in the behaviour of another nation. As a method of exercising power, force is related to punishment.

When a punitive action is actually taken against another nation, it becomes a case of use of force. However, when the only threat of punitive action is given without the actual use of physical violence against the other state, it becomes a case of exercise of power through the use of punishment. As such the difference between force and punishment is in the actual use of force versus the threat of use of force.

Physical force or violence can be used by resorting to war or acts of reprisals and retortion by a powerful state. Resort to war is the extreme form of exercise of force (Power) in international relation. It is indeed a risky and dangerous method, which can seriously limit and damage the national power of the state which resorts to war. This consideration makes the resort to war as a method of exercising power as the last resort.

Each nation uses these four basic means for exercising her national power in international relations. These are used simultaneously for securing the desired objectives or goals of the foreign policy of a nation. However, presently nations try to make a minimum use of the method of force because they prefer to follow the principles of peaceful co-existence and peaceful conflict-resolution. The use of national power is always governed by the objective of securing the goals of national interest of the nation.

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