Talk:Superpower/temp
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[edit] Emerging superpowers
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| People's Republic of China Republic of India European Union | |
[edit] European Union Status
A case can be made for expanding the use the term "Superpower" to include not only countries but also the European Union. With its precise status being undetermined, the EU may be considered a superpower if an emphasis is placed on economic power while ignoring force projection capability.
When compared to any single country the EU currently has both the world's largest GDP and the world's largest consumer market, potentially giving it considerable control over the global allocation of resources. According to the CIA the EU is home to world's largest nominal GDP, clocked at 13.62 trillion in 2006.[3]. The European Union is still integrating politically, but can not yet be considered a political entity capable of projecting a unified foreign policy. The EU can be considered a political entity that is more unified than any other international organization and yet is also more fragmented than traditional examples of powerful nation-states. American offical acknowledgment of the EU's unique status as at least partially nation-like has begun to occur; evidenced by the recent addition of the EU in the CIA factbook among the list of nations and in comparative statistical tables.[4]
- Global Influence
Considerable global influence is or has been possessed by several of the twenty-seven EU members states. European fashion, art and food are commonplace in nearly every corner of the planet. The EU contains three current economic or military Great Powers — the United Kingdom, Germany and France, along with 24 other countries. Two of these Great Powers, the United Kingdom and France, are also permanent veto wielding members of the UN Security Council. In 2006 eight of the top fifteen ranks on the Programme for International Student Assessment were filled by EU member states with all western member states being represented among the top thirty.[5]
- Geo-historical center of the world
As the world is a sphere, there is no center of the world, but the EU nevertheless occupies a traditionally important position facilitating trade and influence across the Atlantic and throughout Africa, Europe and Asia. Europe is the cradle of Western Culture[6], and its influence is strongly present throughout the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and parts of Africa. The EU's geographical and historical position may present a foundation for eventual Superpower status.
- Local Sphere of Influence
The EU even seems to have developed a sphere of influence of close geographical nations, which was typical of the United States and Soviet Union in the Cold War.[7] Examples include candidate nations, EFTA members outside of the Union, and former colonies, especially in Africa. The EU plays the role of a normative hegemon [1].
- Comparison to other Powers
If the definition of Superpower were merely economic strength, the EU would certainly qualify. However, metrics of political strength and unity as well as military force projection capability are often used to compare the EU with other powers. Possibly important in any consideration of the potential superpower status of the EU is that fact the EU is composed entirely of independent nations. EU members are entirely developed countries, with the exception of Romania and Bulgaria. [8] By contrast, India and China are politically unified but continue to be seen as and describe themselves as developing nations. The three mainstream contenders to the Superpower title either lack political unity (the EU) or highly developed industrial economies (China and India). Furthermore, no power besides the US has large force projection capability or a worldwide network of military bases.[9]
- Question of Full EU Political Integration and a Single EU Foreign Policy
It is argued by commentators that full political integration is not required for the European Union to wield international influence. Others point to cases such as EU internal disagreement over the US-sponsored invasion of Iraq as evidence that the EU's political divisions often prevent it from Superpower strength global influence.[10] EU proponents say it represents a new and potentially more successful type of international actor than traditional Superpowers[2]; however, it is uncertain if the effectiveness of such an influence would be equal to that of a politically integrated superpower. (e.g. United States)
- EU as Historically Unique
Much of the debate over the EU's potential as a Superpower stems from the EU being a sui generis entity; in otherwords something new in world power history. Over the course of the 21st century, the EU could well define a new paradigm in the definition of a Superpower, or, likewise, it could forever be something less than a Superpower as defined by the capabilities of the United States.
[edit] People's Republic of China
The People's Republic of China is often considered an emerging superpower.[11] Excluding economic data from Hong Kong, the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Macau, mainland China is currently the world's second largest economy in terms of real GDP (PPP) and the fourth largest economy in terms of nominal GDP (market exchange rates) and is considered an emerging superpower due to its large population and extremely rapid economic expansion with an annual growth rate of 9.9%.[12][13] With the world's largest armed forces and an advanced nuclear arsenal, China is one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. However the uncertainty of its long-term political stability, and the absence of a true legal system, as a Communist state, casts doubts on the country's future.
[edit] Republic of India
The Republic of India is currently the world's fourth largest economy in terms of real GDP (PPP) and the twelfth largest economy in terms of nominal GDP (market exchange rates), with an annual growth rate of 9.2%.[14] It is considered as a possible future superpower because of its growing industries and skilled workforce (in the service sector especially in IT industry and increasingly other hi-tech sectors like chemical, bio-tech, automobile, and pharmaceutical industries), a young population, and the second fastest growing major economy after China.[15][16] It maintains world's third largest military[17], with the world's second largest army, fourth largest air force, and the fifth largest naval force which has "blue water" capabilities.[18] It also has a large space program and has developed nuclear weapons. With India's democratic institutions and well-developed legal systems, it is seen by some as a stable long term growth story.[19]
