National Power: Meaning, Elements and Limitations | Political Science

It is an important component in international politics. Every state secures its national interest by asserting national power.

Meaning / Definition of National Power

• Morgenthau defines national power as a psychological relation between those who exercise it and those over whom it is exercised. It gives the former control over certain actions of the latter through the influence that the former exerts over the latter’s mind.
• Organski explains national power as the ability to influence the behaviour of others in accordance with one’s own mind.
• According to Charles, Power is the ability to make a man do what one wants and not to do what one does not want.

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

Elements of National Power

Morgenthau has grouped elements of national power under permanent and temporary elements.

Organski has classified it into two – Natural Determinance and Social Determinance.

• Natural Determinance includes geography, resources, and population.
• Social Determinance includes political structures and national morale.

Palmer and Perkins and several others make a distinction between intangible and tangible elements of national power.

• Tangible elements are composed of elements that can be assessed in quantitative terms lie economic development, resources, geography, population, and technology.
• Intangible elements are like ideology, morale, leadership, personality, and quality of diplomacy.

Thus, the elements of national power can be of various types such as: -

1. Geography – It is the most stable, tangible, permanent, and natural element amongst the determination of national power. It includes: -

• Size: a large size country is beneficial in defending frontiers while retreating during the attack, offer better resources, can accommodate larger population, and establish important industrial complexes. On the hand, the size of the county may not matter much in international relations. Israel, despite being small in size has a powerful defence mechanism.
• Location: location of England helped it in becoming a big naval and imperial power. USA was able to follow its policy of isolation due to its location, whereas location of Canada being so close to USA, has prevented it from becoming a superpower.
• Climate: it is important for production of food. Cold Arctic zone and excessive heat of Sahara had prevented their development.
• Topography: plain and artificial boundaries of a country can make it vulnerable to expansionism. Atlantic and Pacific oceans have provided strength to the USA. While Himalayas are generally seen as protecting India’s northern borders.

2. Natural Resources – Self-sufficiency in natural resources helps in the development of the country. Self-sufficiency in resources allows a nation to develop agriculture, including self-sufficiency in food, develop industrial establishments and build military. Morgenthau discuss the significance of natural resources in two parts, i.e., raw materials and food.

• Raw materials are further sub-divided into three parts, i.e., minerals such as coal, petrol, iron, copper, zinc, manganese etc. Secondly, in products such as rubber, wood, bamboo, jute, etc. And finally, animal products like meat, egg, silk, etc.
• On food as a deciding factor, a national power, Morgenthau once said, “nations self-sufficient in food are better are placed than nations which import food.”

3. Population – A country which is inhabited by lazy, illiterate, incompetent, unemployed, and unskilled human resources, hinders development. Strong, healthy, disciplined, employed, literate, and skilled population facilitates development of the country and its national power.
4. Economic Development – The level of economic development also determines the national power. It is a means of building military power and welfare and prosperity of people. A developed, heathy, prosperous and growing nation creates an impact at world level. It is able to leverage economic instruments like aid, loans, rewards, trade and grants for achieving its goals at international level. A weak nation that is characterised by poverty, and under-development, suffers from acute and multiple limits on its national power.
5. Industrial Capacity – Technology and industrialisation helped in the development of industrial capacity. A country with well-built industrial capacity would have the potential to become superpower. USA, Germany, Britain, China, France, Japan are great powers because they possess huge industrial capacity and industrial sector aids in extracting natural resources and converting it into industrial goods. Nowadays, knowledge industry has also become an important element of National Power. Revolution in I.T. and Communication, and the outbreak of 4^th industrial revolution such as A.I. is making countries develop their capabilities in these new technologies.
6. Technology – A well-developed technological know-how enables human welfare and progress. Technology is significant for industrial development, military development, development of transport and communication, economic and social development. I.T, nuclear technology, space technology, and missile technology has emerged as important sources of power and influence in international relations. National power enhances further when a country is self-sufficient in manufacturing industrial and hi-tech goods at home rather than being dependent on imports.
7. Military preparedness – It is an important factor in the success of foreign policy and in promotion of national interest. Possession of advanced and sophisticated weapon technology is a source of strength and strategic advantage. An effective and efficient military leadership, and skilled, dedicated and disciplined armed forces further strengthen military preparedness of a nation. It is dependent upon economic power of a country, technology, industrial capacity and policy of government.
8. Ideology – It is an intangible element of national power. It can be a source of friendship or enmity between nations. Ideological closeness between Germany and Italy made them a source of criticism across the world. The ideological war between communism and capitalism after 1945 led to cold war, with many countries joining alliances to safeguard their territories.
9. Leadership – A strong and skilled leader directs the utilization of natural resources, human resources, and raw materials to efficiency and competency. A mature, devoted and efficient leadership leads the country to progress and success.
10. Organisation and quality of government – A corrupt and inefficient government wastes the natural and human resources, and reduces its national strength and status in international affairs. For example: a strong, democratic, well-functioning, and responsible government leads to good governance and increases its awareness and prestige at global levels. A weak civilian government in Pakistan has led to failure of its economy and society.
11. National Character and Morale – This is also an intangible element of national power. National character refers to traits, attitude, and aptitude of the people. For Example: Indians are known for religious beliefs and idealism. Germans are synonymous for their discipline, industriousness and Americans, for their inventiveness, initiative, and spirit of adventure. Morgenthau defines national morale as degree of determination with which the nation supports the foreign policy of the government in peace and war. It permeates all activities of a nation, its agriculture and industrial production as well as its military establishment and diplomatic service.
12. Diplomacy – A high quality diplomacy transforms the available resources into national strength. USA’s successful diplomacy helps it in projecting itself as a sole superpower.

Limitations of National Power

There are various limitations through which national power could be put under control/certain limits. They are as follows: -

1. Balance of Power (BOP) – It is a device of both power management and limitation of power. Its underlying principle is that the power of several equally powerful actors can be a source of limitation on their powers. The major actors should maintain a sort of balance in their power and position. No state should try to become unduly powerful as this can endanger balance. If a state becomes unduly powerful, another state/states should collectively pool their powers and create a structure of power against the offending state. No state should be eliminated completely, but the power of the state should be kept in control in the name of balance. BOP places restraints upon the states by preventing all attempts at an unjustified increase of power on the part of any member of the balance of power system.
2. International Law – International law is the body of rules that the nation states accept as binding upon them and which regulates their behaviour in International Relations. It is an important limitation on the power of a nation. It directs and controls the behaviour of nations engaged on international relations. It declares war as an illegal means for the promotion of interest. It lays down the rule for the establishment and conduct of diplomatic relations. Violation of international laws can invoke sanctions against the violating state.
3. International Morality – International Morality is a set of rules or laws that checks the behaviour of the states. International communities accept certain morals like protection of human rights of all, securing right to life, respect of sovereignty, and non-interference in others’ territory. It is generally accepted moral code of conduct which nations usually follow in international relations. It acts as a limitation on the national power of each state.
4. World Public Opinion – This has emerged as an important factor of international relations. The presence of strong global peace movement, strong movements in favour of nuclear arms control and disarmament, a strong global movement for the preservation of Earths’ ecological balance, the environmental protection movements, human rights protection movements, campaigns for drug prohibition, human trafficking etc. are such movements that clearly show the presence of strong public opinion. Public opinion coerces state to form policies according to public opinion.
5. Collective Security Principle – Collective security is there to manage national power. It is based on the principle that states collectively achieve peace and security in case of violation by any one state or states. It is a device of power management and its purpose is to maintain international peace and security by collective efforts of all the states.
6. Disarmament of Arms Control – This is a mechanism to limit national power. Arms control refers to reduction or control arms race through international agreements and policies. Disarmament means abolishing any ammunition possessed till date.
7. International Organisations – It specifies certain means for peaceful settlement of disputes among the member states. It provides for collective security of peace times of war and aggression. The UN constitutes a global pattern for the conduct of the international peace in orderly manner. Nations are bound by the UN charter and they are expected to use their powers only in accordance with the dictators of the UN charter. There are several regional organisations which also act as a source of limitation on the national power of each member state.