What is National Power ?

Power for individual Strength to influence over the minds and actions of others. National power Combination of the power of individual especially who represents their nation an international scene, wield the power and pursue the policies of their nation. Roots of Modern Nationalism Until the Napoleonic War, Foreign Policies were not represent by nationwide but by limited amount of individual monarchs. Up to the WWI, the full participation in War of the main bulk of the workers in all belligerent countries demonstrated the identification of practically the whole population. Aftermath of WWII, destruction of the WWII and Political , military and Economic decline of European counter to the rational of nationalism of each countries. The retrogressive nationalism favor to the unification of Western Europe and the international organization like United Nation and others agencies are emerged for the common national interest. - Emotional intensity of the identification of the individual with his nation stands inversely proportional to the sense of security of its members. The greater the stability of society and the sense of security of its members create the smaller chance to seek an outlet in aggressive nationalism. Element of National Power Geography, Natural Resources, Industrial Capacity, Military Prepared Population , National Character and National Moral are common factors to take consideration in National Power. Geography: is the most stable factor for the natural power. For the time being, development of technical transportation, communication, and warfare, the factor cant determine as the most important one but still as a fundamental factor. For example, during Napoleon and Hitler,large Russia territory swallowed the invader and sapping their Strength. Moreover, by their large enough territory to disperse their industrial and population centers, US, Soviet Union And China play the role of major nuclear power. Food: Enjoying the self-sufficiency in food is one of the factors to get great strength. For example, before WWII, Great Britain grew only 30% of food consumed and depended upon sea lanes for food supply and its power was challenged whenever submarine war faire and air attacks. Raw Material: National power has become more and more dependent upon the control of raw materials in peace and war especially Oil. Since WWII, Oil become critical source of energy and US, GB and France practice Oil diplomacy to get advance in Arabian Peninsula. Oil producing nations can monopolized upon consumer nations to get their natural interest. Thats why, industrialized nations, like Japan consider to use alternative sources of energy and try to reduce relying upon oil that imports from other nations. Industrial Capacity: The quality and productive capacity of industrial plant, expertise, the skill of engineers, the inventive genius of the scientist and the managerial organization capacity are factors related to industrial capacity. Without industrial capacity, its natural resources could not efficient for national power.
Foundation of IR(26-5-2011) summary by : AYE THANDAR

Military Preparedness: Nation can conqueror by using modernized weapon before their enemies did. The power of nation reflects the qualities of its Military leadership. Quantity and Qualities of Arm Force can decide where a nation may or may not have technological innovations in warfare. To be a perfect military preparedness, strategy and tactics of Military Leaders should appropriate to quantity and qualities of arm forces. Population: All the factors remain approximately equal, larger efficient population favor the nation to become more powerful than others. Without Efficient population, it is impossible to establish and keep going industrial plant necessary for successful conduct of modern war. But some countries, like Egypt and India, population control is precondition of national power if resources can not increased. National character: Personality characteristics and unique life styles found among the populations of particular national states. This behavior is sometimes considered on an abstract level. Even though there is the difference national character between nations, each individual and collective activities of members influences national power. National Morale: Degree of determination with which a nation supports the foreign policies of its government in peace or war. We can not calculate the value of morale but we can calculate the morale ratio: Physical Science.. F= m a (mmass, aacceleration of moving object) Military Science . F= m x ( mmass, x.spirit of army/ morale of army) For example, Group A (10 men) with morale X conquer to Group B (15 men) with morale Y when the conquer side loss 4 and the other loss all. Thus their morale ratio is X : Y = 15 : 4 The Qualities of Society and Government as Decisive Factors Nations with well government are likely to have a higher national morale than nations poorly governed. The qualification of society is much relevant to the national morale of members of its society. Conclusion To get the powerful national power, all the elements of its should harmonize each other and national morale of individual is the most decisive factor among them.

Foundation of IR(26-5-2011) summary by : AYE THANDAR