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 with 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:

We 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

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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 with 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’:

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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 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 exercises 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

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by the use of force, or threat of use of force. When 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 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.

8 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

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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.

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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 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 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:

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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.

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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.

3 Dimensions of National Power:

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.

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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

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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.

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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

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 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 with economic power and military power. It is

a valuable and important part of national power. The nature and scope National Power of

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nation can be evaluated only by evaluating all these three highly related and

interdependent dimensions of National Power.

4 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

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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.

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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 a desired change in

the behaviour of another nation. As a method of exercising power, force is related to

punishment.

When punitive action is actually taken against another nation, it becomes a case of use of

force. However, when 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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