Regional power

In international relations since the late 20th century, a regional power is a term used for a state that has power within a geographic region.[1][2] States which wield unrivalled power and influence within a region of the world possess regional hegemony.

Leaders of most regional powers during the 2015 G-20 summit
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Characteristics

Regional powers shape the polarity of a regional area. Typically, regional powers have capabilities which are important in the region but do not have capabilities at a global scale. Slightly contrasting definitions differ as to what makes a regional power. The European Consortium for Political Research defines a regional power as:

"A state belonging to a geographically defined region, dominating this region in economic and military terms, able to exercise hegemonic influence in the region and considerable influence on the world scale, willing to make use of power resources and recognized or even accepted as the regional leader by its neighbours".[1]

The German Institute of Global and Area Studies states that a regional power must:[2]

  • form part of a definable region with its own identity
  • claim to be a regional power (self-image as a regional power)
  • exert decisive influence on the geographic extension of the region as well as on its ideological construction
  • dispose over comparatively high military, economic, demographic, political and ideological capabilities
  • be well integrated into the region
  • define the regional security agenda to a high degree
  • be appreciated as a regional power by other powers in the region and beyond, especially by other regional powers
  • be well connected with regional and global forums

Regional powers

Below are states that have been described as regional powers by international relations and political science academics, analysts, or other experts. These states to some extent meet the criteria to have regional power status, as described above. Different experts have differing views on exactly which states are regional powers. States are arranged by their region and in alphabetic order.

North Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa

North America

Canada, despite being a middle power, is not a regional power because it is militarily secured by U.S. hegemony and financially comfortable by its dependence on a robust U.S. economy.[14] The United States is the primary geopolitical force in North America, and is considered the sole superpower at the moment. In fact, its projection of power is so large that Canada and Mexico, both middle powers are generally not considered regional powers. The case of Mexico is a strange one due to this scenario, where it is not considered a regional power if grouped with North America, but is considered a probable regional power if grouped with Latin America and a definite regional power if considered in either Central America or in Spanish-speaking America.

South America

In the past, Spain and Portugal were the dominant powers in the region but following decolonization in the first half of the 19th century, the major powers became Brazil and Argentina.

Asia

Historically, China was the dominant power in East Asia. But, at the beginning of the early 20th century, the Empire of Japan became the dominant force of Asia in World War I as one of the Allied powers. With economic turmoil, Japan's expulsion from the League of Nations, and its interest in expansion on the mainland, Japan became one of the three main Axis powers in World War II.

Since the late 20th century, regional alliances, economic progress, and contrasting military power have changed the strategic and regional power balance in Asia. In recent years, a re-balancing of military and economic power among countries such as China and India has resulted in significant changes in the geopolitics of Asia. China and Japan have also gained greater influence over regions outside Asia, with the former now contending with the United States for geopolitical clout in most major regions. With close economic and military ties to the United States, Japan was the main Asian base of operations of America's "containment" strategy during the Cold War. In recent decades, South Korea has emerged as a significant economic and cultural force in East Asia, while Indonesia has solidified its place as the economic heavyweight of Southeast Asia.

East Asia

South Asia

Southeast Asia

West Asia

Europe
Main article: European balance of power

Russia – considered a potential superpower, is a major great power and has historically been the primary geopolitical force in Eastern Europe, while France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom are seen as the Big Four of Western Europe.[56][57] Historically, dominant powers in this region created large colonial empires worldwide (such as the British, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, Russian and Dutch empires). Most of the continent is now integrated as a consequence of the enlargement of the European Union.

Oceania

See also

Notes
^ Considered a great power
^ Permanent member of UNSC
^ Member of G7
^ One of G4 nations
^ Member of G20
^ Member of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
^ Member of MIKTA
^ Member of OPEC
^ Member of BRICS
^ Member of G-15
^ Member of D-8
^ Member of N-11
^ Member of CIVETS
^ Member of G-14
^ Member of Pacific Alliance
^ Member of Andean Community
^ Member of ACS

References
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  20. "[...] notably by linking the Southern Cone's rival regional powers, Brazil and Argentina." See Alejandra Ruiz-Dana, Peter Goldschag, Edmundo Claro and Hernan Blanco, "Regional integration, trade and conflicts in Latin America," in Regional Trade Integration and Conflict Resolution, edited by Shaheen Rafi Khan (New York: Routledge, 2009), p. 18.
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  62. "Operation Alba may be considered one of the most important instances in which Italy has acted as a regional power, taking the lead in executing a technically and politically coherent and determined strategy." See Federiga Bindi, Italy and the European Union (Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press, 2011), p. 171.
  63. "Italy plays a prominent role in European and global military, cultural and diplomatic affairs. The country's European political, social and economic influence make it a major regional power." See Italy: Justice System and National Police Handbook, Vol. 1 (Washington, D.C.: International Business Publications, 2009), p. 9.
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Bibliography
  • Buzan, Barry; Wæver, Ole (2003), Regions and Powers: The Structure of International Security, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 55, ISBN 978-0-521-89111-0
  • Godehardt, Nadine; Nabers, Dirk, eds. (2011), Regional Orders and Regional Powers, Routledge, pp. 193–208, ISBN 978-1-136-71891-5
  • Stewart-Ingersoll, Robert; Frazier, Derrick (2012), Regional Powers and Security Orders: A Theoretical Framework, Routledge, ISBN 978-0-415-56919-4
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