Global power

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The top global powers usually have relatively high military budgets, reflecting their powerful military capabilities.

A global power or world power is a term that refers to a country that has overwhelming power over all other nations in the world. Countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Germany, Russia, France, Japan, Italy and India are all major world powers. Many would also regard the European Union as a global power in its own right. A world power usually has a huge population, a strong industrial economy, armed forces capable of extending political influence beyond borders and, preferably, permanent membership in the UN Security Council.

Current global powers

Today's key powers include the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Germany, Russia and France, all of which have nuclear arsenals (except Germany), formidable industrial might, populations of 285 million, 60 million, 1.3 billion, 85 million, 134 million, 61 million respectively and, excluding Germany, permanent seats on the UN Security Council. The European Union can also be regarded as a key power: it's vast population of 479 million and enormous economy, coupled with its ongoing integration and expansion, mean that it could entrench its position as a superpower in the twenty-first century.

• The United States of America is in effect the world's most capable country in countless fields, whether it be technology, culture, military, economy, or economic grip over the world. If the U.S. became completely reliant on itself, many nations would collapse. It has the world's second largest nuclear arsenal. This superpower also has the world's largest national economy at 11 Trillion USD (only the EU has bigger). Its population is ranked third (or 4th if the European Union is counted) in the world at 290 million and has a geographical size of 9.6 million km². Finally, it is highly technologically advanced.

• Japan is one of the most powerful global powers in the economic sector with powerful economy in the world with the second largest economy after the United States and before Germany. It has far-reaching impact on world economy relative to other countries, but is restrictive in it military actions in foreign territories, but it has the sixth largest military spending with budget of around 38.5 billion USD. It maintains powerful military as self-defense forces and have deployed their troops to the "Operation Iraqi Freedom" with the US.

• The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the 3rd most populated nation of the European Union with approximately 60 million people. It was also a founding member of NATO and the United Nations, in which it is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. The British economy is the second largest in the European Union and the fourth largest in the world, with a GDP of 2.1 Trillion USD. The British capital, London, is one of the most important economical and financial centres in the world, alongside New York. The United Kingdom also yields a very formidable, technologically advanced, military. It's defence spending is the fifth largest in the world. The Royal Navy is the second largest navy in the World in terms of gross tonnage and is in charge of the United Kingdom's strategic nuclear arm. It consists of four SSBNs armed with Trident D5 SLBMs.

• The People's Republic of China is currently undergoing massive industrialization. It has the world's largest population at 1.3 billion. With a geographical size of 9.6 million km², it is the fourth largest nation on earth. China is widely regarded as a future superpower but occasional civil unrest and an authoritarian single-party government do not ensure stability. Its rapidly modernizing armed forces, including an army of 2.5 million, and large but less developed economy - the fourth largest in the world - at 2.2 Trillion USD, make it a powerful state.

• The Federal Republic of Germany is the most populated country in the European Union at 82 million. Being one of the most important countries in the EU, it has the largest economy in the union and is third in the world, having a GDP of 2.7 Trillion USD. NATO has a large number of strategic forces based in the country, which itself has a significant military. It does not possess nuclear weapons; however it does utilize nuclear energy and it could create a nuclear arsenal in a short stretch of time.

• Russia is still an important player in the big seven, due in part to its huge military. It is the largest country in the world by territory and has an abundance of strategic natural resources. Its status as a major exporter of oil and gas to Europe gives it significant leverage in international affairs. Though its economy has suffered greatly after the dissolution of the U.S.S.R., it has recovered significantly since the 1998 financial crisis and is now growing at a rate of 6% a year. Russia now enjoys consistent budget surpluses and has been able to re-pay a large part of its foreign debt ahead of time. Russia's military power has weakened since 1991, but it still has the largest reserves of nuclear weapons in the world. It also possesses advanced space technologies and is a major exporter of advanced military hardware to countries such as China and India.

• The French Republic is the 2nd most populated nation of the European Union at 61 million. It was also a founding member of NATO and the United Nations, in which it is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. The French economy is the third largest in the European Union and sixth largest in the World, with a GDP of 2.0 Trillion USD. France also yields a formidable military force. The French navy is the only navy besides the U.S Navy to operate nuclear powered aircraft carriers. It also maintains a fleet of nuclear powered submarines.

• The European Union has the world's 3rd largest population, at 479 million. It is not a nation-state but has many of the characteristics of one. It's economy is slightly larger than that of the United States, generating over 13.7 Trillion USD annually. It has the world's greatest concentration of universities and is a world leader in scientific research. Its long and rich history and former imperial power are a source of inspiration and fascination the world over. The EU uses its economic and political might to great effect. In trade negotiations it is the dominant world power and its political and cultural reach attracts nations beyond its frontier to reform their domestic governing systems in order to join. A further 120 million people in four surrounding nations are likely to join the union, and will further add to its global clout. The EU has also gained, in recent years, powerful military and civilian capabilities, underpinned by the United Kingdom and France. It has engaged in 14 strategic operations since 2003, including a military intervention in Congo and two in the former Yugoslavia. It is almost certain that the EU will continue to rise in the 21st century.

See also

• List of countries by GDP

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