NATIONAL POWER & ITS ELEMENTS
(POLITICAL SCIENCE=III)
SUBMITTED TO: MS. REBECCA PRADHAN
ASST. PROF. OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
SUBMITTED BY: SUBHANKAR ADHIKARY
BALLB(5 YRS)
ROLL NO-33;SECTION-A
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my
teacher as well as our principal who gave me the golden
opportunity to do this wonderful project on the topic
“NATIONAL POWER & ITS ELEMENTS’, which also helped
me in doing a lot of research and I come to know about so many
new things.
I am really thankful to them.
Secondly, I would also like to thank my senior brother and
friends who helped me a lot in finishing this project within the
limited time.
SUBHANKAR ADHIKARY
signature signature
SUBHANKAR ADHIKARY Page 2
DECLARATION
I, hereby declare that this academic project entitled... NATIONAL
POWER & ITS ELEMENTS’... Submitted to the Indian institute of Legal
Studies for the award degree of B.A. LLB. Is my original work. This
dissertation has not been submitted for any other degree of this institution
or any other institution.
Student’s Name: SUBHANKAR ADHIKARY
Semester:3RD
Roll No: 33
Name of the College: Indian institute of Legal Studies.
Place: Dagapur, Siliguri
........
Date: Signature of the Student...................
I, recommend that this project be placed before the examiners for
evaluation.
Academic Supervisor: MS. REBECCA PRADHAN
ASST Prof. OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
SUBHANKAR ADHIKARY Page 3
CONTENTS
CHAPTER=1
1.1INTRODUCTION……………………………………………...…..…5
1.2WHAT IS POWER……………………………………………..…….5
1.3WHAT IS NATIONAL POWER……………………………….…….5
1.4MAIN FEATURES OF NATIONAL POWER…………………..…..5
CHAPTER=2
2.1ELEMENTS OF NATIONAL POWER………………………………7
2.2 DIMENTION OF THE NATIONAL POWER……………………..10
2.3 METHOD OF EXCRECING NATIONAL POWER………………11
CHAPTER=3
3.1 CONCLUSION…………………………………………………..…12
REFERENCE AND BIBLIOGRAPHY
SUBHANKAR ADHIKARY Page 4
CHAPTER=1
1.1 INTRODUCTION: 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. National Power of a nation is dependent
upon several factors which are together called the components or elements or
determinants of national power. Frankel calls these as capabilities or capability
factors. Several other scholars prefer to use the name ‘Determinants of National
Power.’ However, more and more scholars now prefer to use the name
Factors/Elements of National Power because no single factor or element is a
determinant of National Power.
1.2 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.
1.3 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
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.
1.4 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.
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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.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.
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
SUBHANKAR ADHIKARY Page 6
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.
CHAPTER=2
2.1 In a simple way we can discuss the following seven elements of National
Power:
1. Geography:
Amongst the elements of National Power, geography is the most stable, tangible,
permanent and natural element. Its importance as a factor of national power can be
judged from the fact that Geo-political scientists, like Moodie, Spykman, Haushofer,
Mackinder and others, regard Geography as the determinant of international politics..
2. Natural Resources:
No nation can hope to be a powerful nation if its territory is not adequately graced by
natural resources. Natural resources are indeed “gifts of nature of established utility.”
The industrial and military capabilities of a nation as well as its economic well-being
are dependent upon the existence of natural resources.
In analyzing the role of National Resources as a factor of National Power
Morgenthau discuss it in two parts:
1. Raw Materials and
2. Food.
3. Population:
Another basic element which affects national power is population.
Thus, it can be observed that:
1. Population is an important element of military power.
2. Man power is needed for fully exploiting the resources of the state. Industrial
production depends upon man-power as well as machines.
SUBHANKAR ADHIKARY Page 7
3. Population factor determines both national needs as well as policies designed to
serve these needs.
4. Population is an important human element of National Power.
4. Economic Development and Industrial Capacity:
A. Economic Development:
Economic power is a vitally important part of national power of a nation because it is
the means for military power and the basis for welfare, prosperity and development of
its people. A nation with developed, healthy and growing economy alone can be a
great power in world politics. Effective economic organisation and planning are
essential qualities of a powerful nation. Poverty is always a source of limitation of
power. It is this factor which has been largely forcing most of the developing
countries of the Third World to live with neo-colonialism.
B. Industrial Capacity:
The economic factor is intimately linked up with industrial capacity of a nation. In
this age of science, industrialisation and technology developed industrial capacity
alone can be a source of enduring and effective economic development. Only
industrially advanced nations can become great powers. Today, the United States, the
United Kingdom, France, Japan and Germany are powerful nations because of their
huge industrial capacities. They have the ability to process raw materials, and thereby
are in a position to control international economy. India is now emerging as an
industrial power..
5. Technology:
Technology is the application of knowledge of science for promoting human welfare.
It is the ability to use scientific inventions for the promotion of human welfare.
Progress in engineering and industrial production is directly related to the nature and
level of technology. It has been the advanced technological ability that has largely
contributed to the prosperity and power of the developed countries.
6. Military Preparedness:
Military power is a vitally important part of national power of a state. The importance
of military factor as an element of national power can be judged from the fact that
many persons regard these synonymous. Military power is not national power,
nevertheless it is an important part of national power which contributes to its strength
and effectiveness.
7. Ideology:
Ideology is an intangible element of national power. It can be a source of both
friendship and enmity in international relations. Ideology helps a nation to influence
the exercise of its power. It serves as a source of unity and strength both at home and
abroad. The adoption of the ideology of democratic socialism helped India to
establish friendly and cooperative relations with the democratic west and the socialist
east. It also acted as a source of popular support for the Government of India.
SUBHANKAR ADHIKARY Page 8
8. Leadership:
Leadership of a nation is an important human element of national power. The
utilization of man power resources, natural resources, raw materials, technology,
industrial capacity, military power and ideology for strengthening the national power
of a state is dependent upon the qualities of the leadership that runs the government of
the state.
Civil and Military planning is a function of the political leaders. To make and
implement foreign policy is the responsibility of the leadership, the decision-makers
of the state, in particular. National Power is basically the power of the leaders,
statesmen and diplomats of the nation to act strongly in international relations.
9. Organisation and Quality of Government:
The mere possession of material and human resources cannot lead to national power if
the agency for steering and coordination of human efforts, that is, the government of
the state is not well organised, efficient and effective. It is the business of government
to coordinate direct, control men and material resources for securing power for
fulfilling goals of national interest.
There are many examples which highlight the importance of this factor of national
power. For decades China (Before 1949) remained a weak power because, among
other reasons, the central government lacked effective control over major portions of
the country. Similar was the case of France. Until De Gaulle took control in France in
the year 1958, political power remained divided among a number of political parties.
10. National Character and Morale:
some writers list national character as one of the elements of national power as does
Professor Hans J. Morgenthau in his politics among nations. It may be regarded as
one of the major determinants of national morale although of course, it is broader then
morale. But where it is more then the basis of morale, it may help to explain some
other elements. National character may be thought of as climate, morale as weather.
Morgenthau also says that, "National character is the degree of determination with
that a nation support the home and foreign policy of its government in time of peace
and war
11. Diplomacy:
Diplomacy is another important element of national power. Hans J. Morgenthau
regards it as the most important, though unstable element of national power.
Diplomacy is the means of foreign policy and as such helps it to achieve better results
through judicious hard work and persuasion in international relations. Success of
foreign policy of a nation largely depends upon the quality of Diplomacy that takes it
to foreign capitals.
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2.2 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.
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.
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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.
2.3 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.
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.
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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 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.
CHAPTER=3
3.1CONCLUSION: 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.
REFERENCE AND BIBLIOGRAPHY:
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http://www.studylecturenotes.com/international-relations/what-is-
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SUBHANKAR ADHIKARY Page 12
