National Power and International Geostructure

This introduction offers a panoramic view of the main concepts and ideas that have guided the preparation of the book “National Power and International Geostructure”. The impact of the processes of globalization, regionalization, and subregionalization on the international order is highlighted, generating significant alterations in its two main axes: competition and cooperation. In this context, the axis of competition stands out as the most important for the configuration of the international order, being determined by national-international power, which exerts direct influence not only on the position of states in the international geostructure but also on the axis of cooperation. Thus, this introduction presents a conceptual framework that examines the dynamic interaction between the international system, national-international power, geostructure, and international order. This set of elements is integrated under the proposed approach of “trans-structural analysis”, establishing the theoretical foundations necessary for the development of the next chapters. The incorporation of this approach into the book series “Contributions to International Relations” signifies a fundamental advancement, aimed at enriching the comprehension of national power and international geostructure from Latin America.

The question of national power remains a subject of controversy and debate in International Relations. At the theoretical level, the challenge lies in its definition, constitutive dimensions, and considered variables; at a technical level, the issue is its measurement. For us, a state’s national-international power is the result of a multidimensional, dynamic, and recursive combination of its capabilities, expressed at a specific historical moment within the development of the international system. These capabilities are categorized into three main groups: 1) material capabilities, 2) semimaterial capabilities, and 3) immaterial capabilities, forming the basis of three types of power: material, semimaterial, and immaterial. Drawing from the theoretical postulates of key paradigms in International Relations, this chapter presents a proposal for studying states’ national power.

The concept of national power has long been central to International Relations, but its quantification remains a challenge. This chapter presents the World Power Index (WPI), designed to address this gap. Beginning with an overview of previous power measurement efforts, the chapter empirically selects variables and details the methodology behind the construction of the WPI. The index integrates material, semimaterial, and immaterial dimensions of power, offering a comprehensive understanding of the state's capabilities. The WPI's approach reflects the importance of these dimensions, providing a measure of power that transcends previous approaches. Furthermore, by considering maximum and minimum values, the WPI allows the identification of ranges of states at a global scale. Through its trans-structural approach, the WPI enriches the field of International Relations by offering a comprehensive tool to understand both national-international power dynamics and the international geostructure.

States relate to each other, giving rise to the international system, which is organized around two main axes: the axis of competition and the axis of cooperation. This chapter focuses on the axis of competition, that is, the mutual disposition or position of state units in the system based on competition. Three important theories of International Relations were reviewed for the analysis, which are embedded within broader paradigms of thought: neorealism (as part of the realist paradigm), world-systems theory (as part of the neo-Marxist paradigm), and institutional neoliberalism (as part of the liberal paradigm). By breaking down the variables used by these theories, it was possible to determine that each of them emphasizes certain elements of national power that allow them to “weigh” states. Discovering this allowed us to question the historically prevalent inter-paradigmatic stagnation and transcend it. From this and with the support of innovative quantitative techniques that allowed us to ponder the multiple dimensions of power revealed by the afore mentioned theories, a trans-structural model was developed that contributed to a broad and complex understanding of power in the international system, which it helped us visualize the heterogeneity and multidimensionality of the distribution of power between states. This innovative classification of states constructed here not only synthesizes the specificities of each theoretical paradigm but also articulates them, generating a model that allows for the accurate determination of the position that each state occupies in the international geostructure based on precise, differentiated, and complex reading of its national power.

In this chapter, an analysis of the nature and configuration of power of core states has been conducted. The use of the World Power Index has revealed the characteristics of the power of these states, allowing for the identification of three categories of countries: world powers, middle powers, and semicore states. These categories are crucial for understanding and predicting patterns of state behavior, contributing to the overall objective of the book to provide a comprehensive view of the national power and the international geostructure. Practical implications are highlighted by offering a precise understanding of national power, as well as a robust theoretical framework for future analyses in international relations. It is important to recognize that this analysis has limitations, as national power is dynamic and relative, necessitating ongoing updates and deeper research. This chapter is linked to the next, which explores the positioning of world powers, middle powers, and semicore states in the international geostructure.

This chapter analyzes the main characteristics and foreign policy of core states according to their national power and geostructural position. Firstly, the world powers are the states better positioned in the geostructure in the last decades; however, since the 1990s, these states have started to lose, in relative terms, their international preponderance. Nevertheless, they are central states that possess the greatest economic-military, socio-institutional, and communicative-cultural power. Regarding international governance, world powers are members of the G-7, some of them are permanent members of the UN Security Council, and members of the most important international organizations such as IMF, World Bank, WTO, NATO, etc. In the end, world powers can be considered the directors of the international system. Middle powers are central states that have very high levels of socio-institutional power, but unlike world powers, middle powers possess a relatively smaller economic-military and communicative-cultural power. These countries traditionally promote international cooperation and peace, making them valuable allies to world powers in managing international governance. Unlike the declining world powers, middle powers are stagnant in their geostructural positioning, which means a relative loss of primacy compared to other emerging countries. Finally, semicore states are countries with significant levels of development and well-being, but they do not stand out for their economic-military or communicative-cultural power. Although they are developed states, they have never been labeled as "powers" except for a few exceptions. They are also strategic partners for international governance, distinguishing among two different types: states that have recently surpassed the semiperiphery to be incorporated into the core due to their geographical, political, or economic proximity to core powers; or they were middle powers but declined during a long period until occupying a more marginal place within the core of the international system.

In this chapter, the national power of semiperipheral states is analyzed, along with their characteristics and distribution, culminating in the identification of two distinct categories: regional powers and secondary semiperipheral states. Regional powers are extremely relevant actors in the international geostructure. Their prominent position is based on notable material capabilities, allowing them to actively engage in regional governance projects and pursue proactive global foreign policies. Secondary semiperipheral states exhibit more moderate material and immaterial capacities; however, they maintain a significant position in the semiperiphery due to their outstanding semimaterial capabilities. This configuration not only grants them relative regional autonomy but also enables active participation in the international system. We acknowledge that the classifications proposed here may undergo rapid and unexpected changes due to the inherently semiperipheral nature of these states, leading to extraordinary transformations in relatively short periods.

The chapter examines the international order as a fundamental part of the dynamics of competition and cooperation of the international system. Analyzes the stages of unipolarity, characterized by American dominance since World War II, and the transition towards multipolarity. The evaluation of interstate competition in the current geopolitical landscape reveals a complex scenario, where divergent forces between key actors, especially the world powers of the G7 and the regional powers of the BRICS, hinder the formation of new agreements. The inherent limitations of unipolarity have become evident, while the transition to a multipolar reality is undeniable.