Global power politics

US President Joe Biden and China’s President Xi Jinping last met in Bali in November 2022. —AFP File

In the global arena, power politics refers to the continuing competition among states for influence, economic might, and strategic supremacy, which essentially means pursuing national interests.

A recent example of a global power struggle could be the World Wars and the power struggle that followed to shape an international system. The bipolar world order that emerged after the Second World War dominated by the US and the Soviet Union is defined as an era of proxy wars and nuclear deterrence.

The post-cold war period saw the rise of emerging powers asserting themselves in the international system by transitioning from regional power struggles to global competition. The complex interplay of economic dominance, military might, shifting power centres, and technological advancements defines the broader contours of current power politics in the international system.

The current world order is shaped by the ascent of multiple actors to political and economic power, technological advancement, economic globalisation, and geopolitical conflicts as countries compete for supremacy in soft power, military, and the economy.

Despite growing nationalism and regionalism, organisations such as the United Nations, World Bank, and IMF continue to offer forums for multilateral discussion and extend help and assistance to nations who direly need it. There is an increasing realisation of collective obligations to address global issues including inequality, cybersecurity, and climate change, yet conflicting interests and power struggles hamper cooperation.

The key actors in the current global power politics are the US, China, Russia, the European Union, and emerging powers such as India and Brazil. The US continues to be a powerful nation with unmatched military might, a strong economy, and an extensive international alliance network that gives the US the capacity to exert influence across continents.

China’s extraordinary rise reflects its geopolitical aspirations, while its Belt and Road initiative, enormous trade networks, and technological innovations are transforming the world economy. Russia retains its influence through its military capability, energy resources, and strategic positioning and is an effective counterweight to Western hegemony.

The European Union’s political integration and economic might is a unifying factor in global governance despite opposing ideas of member states with regard to various ongoing conflicts. India, Brazil, and other emerging nations have a profound impact on the changing world politics. While South Africa and Brazil are raising the voices of the Global South, India’s strategic significance in the Asia-Pacific and its projection as a net security provider enhances its stature in the region. Collectively, these actors contribute to addressing global challenges like climate change, security, and economic inequality.

In global power politics, major drivers of influence are military power, economic clout and use of soft power. Military power remains critical and serves both as a deterrent and a tool for enforcing strategic interests. In addition to military influence, economic power and soft power provide means of influencing the world order. States can exercise influence through economic power that can be fuelled by trade and investment. By establishing appeal via culture, soft power draws other countries to align and all combined, these drivers help countries negotiate the high seas of power politics.

Factors defining the current structure of global power politics are the US-China competition, global instability, the geopolitics of energy, the weaponisation of trade and technology, and the crisis of global governance. The US and China compete for supremacy in the fields of technology, economics, and the military.

While China has been enduring to establish itself as a worldwide powerhouse for economic development, the US places a higher priority on preserving its position as the world’s leading nation. If the competition intensifies, it will have far-reaching implications for global trade, regional stability, and the future of international relations.

Global instability has intensified in recent years, driven by conflicts such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has strained global politics and exacerbated tensions between Russia and the West. In the Middle East, the enduring conflict has deepened humanitarian crises and fuelled regional rivalries, disrupting economies and posing a challenge to international peace.

Global dynamics are further shaped by the geopolitics of energy and the weaponisation of trade and technology. Traditional energy sources are challenged by the move to renewable energy sources, which means empowering those who own minerals essential to green technologies. Countries are fast learning to use technological and economic instruments for geopolitical ends. An emerging global governance crisis would make things worse. With growing nationalism and rival blocs, organisations like the UN and WTO also face difficulties.

In the current global power politics, navigating global issues entails balanced strategic diplomacy, collaboration, and adaptability. To address shared challenges, such as climate change, economic instability, and security threats, nations must foster multilateral dialogue.

It is imperative to leverage international institutions like the UN to enhance thought processes, collective action, and legitimacy. Fairness, mutual respect, and a commitment to equitable solutions are crucial to promoting a stable, rules-based just international system. Surely, there is a call to ensure a stable, inclusive, and prosperous world.

The writer is the director of the

China-Pakistan Study Centre at the

Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad.

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}