1

WHAT ARE THE INDICES OF “POWER” AND “LEADERSHIP” IN GLOBAL

POLITICS?
 2

Power is recognised as a production that is closely related with social relations and

has effect on actors that shape the capacity and control the fate. This concept can further be

argued to be two dimensions. First can be related with the kind of social relations that affects

the capacities of the actors and secondly specificity of those relations. At the same time,

conventionally the social theorists viewed social relations from two broad views. In this

regard the social theorist viewed social relations as the interaction among the previously

constituted social actors. Considering the second dimension, the social theorist claimed

whether social relations arising from the interaction or constitution based on which the power

functions are direct, indirect or socially diffuse1.

Notwithstanding, power is considered to play crucial role in the world affairs. In this

regard, power is widely viewed as influence that governs the kind of settlements which the

nations can achieve or the circumstances that must be achieved by nation with or without

fighting. In addition, it is claimed that power plays crucial role in constructing political

geography. Moreover, power is also viewed as determining state preferences which facilitates

the same countries under certain situation to cooperate or oppose one another2.

In the similar context, the concept of leadership is recognised as the most

sophisticated and functional concept owing to the fact that it relates with the complex

relationship between leaders and followers. Accordingly, leadership is further claimed to

include components such as persuasion, exchange and transformation. Many have argued that

1
Barnett, Michael and Duvall, Raymond. “Power in International Politics.” International Organization, 59, no.
1 (2005): 39-75.

2
Holsti, K. J. “The Concept of Power in the Study of International Relations.” Background, 57, no. 4 (1964):
179-194.
 3

leadership is a form of power but it considers mutuality3. At the same time, power is often

argued to be intrinsic quality which is always explained in terms of interaction between

powerful and less powerful while leadership is often conceptualised as an activity4.

Power and leadership are the two commonly discussed subjects in the context of

global polities5. In the global hierarchy of power a state is stratified into four categories

including superpower, great power, regional power and middle power. In this regard, it can

be argued that this categorisation is based on the economic and military strengths of a state as

well as its geographical influence and its acknowledgement by other states as power status. In

addition, it is worth mentioning that the term super-power originated after the Second World

War to signify the dominant position of the United States of America and Soviet Union.

These two states used their economic, military, and cultural instruments to influence other

states and promote their interest. However, with the collapse of Soviet economy, USA was

the only country that is being widely acknowledged by the global states as the superpower 6.

After the fall of Soviet Union, the liberal internationalist in Russia began to accept the US

role as global leadership. The contemporary Russia is no longer considered as superpower

and it is also argued that Russia focussing less on developing its self-image or consolidating

it great power potentials7.

3
Nabers, Dirk. “Power, leadership, and hegemony in international politics: the case of East Asia.” Review of
International Studies (2010): 1-25.

4
Ibid

5
Fels, Enrico. “Power in International Relations.” Shifting Power in Asia-Pacific (2016):153-193.

6
Jain, Subhash C. “Emerging Economies and the Transformation of International Business: Brazil, Russia,
India and China (BRICs)”. Massachusetts: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2006.

7
Khanna, Parag. “The Second World: Empires and Influence in the New Global Order”. London: Penguin UK,
2009.
 4

The geopolitical landscape is rapidly changing, particularly the rise of China over the

past two decades can be argued to gradually shape and reconstruct the international order 8. In

fact the rapid rise of China both in terms of economic indicators and military strengths, China

is often viewed as the potential superpower9. The global rise of China has significant

implications on the other global powers including the USA. Notably, China has often being

identified to challenge the dominance of US, particularly in terms of economic order. It is

strongly argued that the increasing economic presence of China is providing a tough

competition to traditional spheres of US influence across different parts of the world,

particularly in Latin America and Asia-Pacific region10. Nevertheless, the huge population of

china which is estimated to be more than 1.34 billion followed by aging population and

reduced health healthy is viewed to be major obstacle behind China’s aspiration to emerge as

the super-power. In addition, corruption is a major problem faced by China faced by China

for a long time which has negatively affected its aspiration to become great power. Unlike the

developed and countries in the West, the rate of corruption is very high in China. Although

the government in China has introduced stringent anti-corruption policies yet very little

success has been achieved in this regard. At the same time, it can be argued that the China’s

8
Yongnian, Zheng and Xin, Lim Wen. “The Changing Geopolitical Landscape, China and the World Order in
the 21st Century.” China: An International Journal, 15, no. 1(2017): 4-23.

9
Nadkarni, Vidya and Noonan, Norma C. “Emerging Powers in a Comparative Perspective: The Political and
Economic Rise of the BRIC Countries.” NY: Bloomsbury Publishing USA, 2013.

10
Ibid
 5

aspiration to become global leadership is complicated by domestic unrest and the socio-

political instability11.

In the recent years, it has also been witnessed that India has been actively extending

its foreign policy beyond the region of South Asia. Historically, India has maintained

strategic autonomy and its foreign policy postulated engagement with all centres of powers.

Nevertheless, India during 1960s began to strengthen in military capabilities and in the

1990s, the Indian economic growth started to grow at a steady pace with the introduction of

liberal trade policies and reforms. India through its rapidly growing economic condition and

military strengths along with the growing influence of its culture worldwide and vibrant

democracy has managed to enter into the club of great powers. However, unlike other great

powers India can be argued to face with numerous challenges which can be claimed to

negatively influence its aspiration to become global power12. In this regard, it has been noted

that the rapidly increasing population is regarded as one of the most pressing problem faced

by India. As on 2010 the total population of India was estimated to be 1.2 billion which is

further predicated exceed 1.63 billion which is further estimated to overtake the total

population of China which is predicated to reach 1.44 billion by 2050, thus becoming the

most populous country in the world. As result of the population crisis, it is further claimed

that India is more likely to witnessed decline in its growth rate13. In the similar context, the

inability of the government to address the issue of poverty is recognised as yet another major

11
Jain, Subhash C. “Emerging Economies and the Transformation of International Business: Brazil, Russia,
India and China (BRICs).” Massachusetts: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2006.

12
Peng Er, Lam, Lim Tai Wei, Lim and Prapat, Thepchatree. “Rise Of China and India, the: A New Asian
Drama.” Chennai: World Scientific, 2009.

13
Gracer, Tara, Lalani, Zahra and Nguyen, Chi. “The Obstacles Facing India on Its Journey to Becoming a
Developed Country.” The Park Place Economist, 21 (2013): 31-42.
 6

obstacle that can be argued to negatively influence the emergence of India as a global power.

Accordingly, millions of people in India are forced to live in poverty and the government has

largely unable to address this crisis14. Besides, corruption also is a big problem which India

needs to address in order to gain power status in the global arena15.

Brazil is recognised as another major emerging economy with its large geographical

size and abundance of natural resources, which has contributed in the leaders of the country

to perceive it in the role of great power of the world. However, during 1990s, Brazil faced

challenges of democratization and the political leaders with the country were struggling to

ensure stability in its economic growth. Notwithstanding, with the beginning of the twenty

first century Brazil has emerged as more assertive both regionally and globally16. At the same

time, it can be argued that Brazilian leaders over the years have focused on the autonomy in

their foreign policy but with the changing geopolitical landscape, it is still debated subject

matter whether Brazil will act as a great power and to what extent it will be able to influence

the global politics17. Notwithstanding, Brazil is also faced with certain challenges that has the

potential to negatively influence its emergence as a global power. In this regard, Brazil has a

long history of political instability. Correspondingly, the political instability has dramatic

impact on several aspects of Brazil. Accordingly, it has resulted in slow economic growth and

14
Datt, Gaurav and Ravallion, Martin. “Is India’s Economic Growth Leaving the Poor Behind?” Journal of
Economic Perspectives, 16, no. 3 (2002): 89-108.

15
Rajak, Jeevan Singh. “Corruption in India: Nature, Causes, Consequences and Cure”. Journal Of Humanities
And Social Science, 18, no. 5 (2013): 20-24.

16
Nadkarni, Vidya and Noonan, Norma C. “Emerging Powers in a Comparative Perspective: The Political and
Economic Rise of the BRIC Countries.” NY: Bloomsbury Publishing USA, 2013.

17
Ibid
 7

inefficient use of the available resources18. Also Brazil has a long history of corruption and

scandals. Despite, several reforms and regulations, Brazil has largely been unable to curb the

challenge of corruption. Thus, in order to achieve continuous economic growth and to emerge

as a potential global power, it needs to eradicate corruption19.

One of the major strategic questions that is being discussed in the context of global

politics today is whether the USA will remain the preeminent global leader. Undoubtedly, the

influence of power status of the USA still remains but can be argued to be on slow decline20.

On the other hand, the rapidly emerging power like China, Russia, India and Brazil (BRIC)

have been able to draw considerable attention of experts and scholars from the world of

politics. In particular China is often viewed as next preeminent superpower because of its

rapidly expanding economic growth and huge population. On the other hand, India with its

fast pace economic growth with highly educated people and huge population is also

mentioned to have potential to become superpower. In fact, it has been argued that the

combined economy of BRIC will be greater than the combined economies of G6 which is a

consortium of six largest economies of the world and include USA, Japan, Germany, United

Kingdom, France and Italy21. Although the BRIC countries have significant potential to

emerge as global powers but these countries are faced with unique set of problems and

18
Doval, Gisela Pereyra and Actis, Esteban. “he Political and Economic Instability of Dilma Rousseff’s Second
Government in Brazil: Between Impeachment and the Pragmatic Turn.” India Quarterly: A Journal of
International Affairs, 72, no. 2 (2016): 120-131.

19
Theobald, Robin. “So what really is the problem about corruption?” Third World Quarterly, 20, no. 3 (1999):
491-502.

20
Krugman, Paul. “Can America Stay on Top?” Journal of Economic Perspectives, 14, no. 1 (2000): 169-175.

21
Jain, Subhash C. “Emerging Economies and the Transformation of International Business: Brazil, Russia,
India and China (BRICs).” Massachusetts: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2006.
 8

challenges like corruption, population crisis and political instability among others which can

be argued to impede these countries from becoming global power if they fail to address these

issues effectively.

Bibliography

Barnett, Michael and Duvall, Raymond. “Power in International Politics.” International

Organization, 59, no. 1 (2005): 39-75.

Barnett, Michael and Duvall, Raymond. “Power in International Politics.” International

Organization, 59, no. 1 (2005): 39-75.

Datt, Gaurav and Ravallion, Martin. “Is India’s Economic Growth Leaving the Poor

Behind?” Journal of Economic Perspectives, 16, no. 3 (2002): 89-108.

Doval, Gisela Pereyra and Actis, Esteban. “he Political and Economic Instability of Dilma

Rousseff’s Second Government in Brazil: Between Impeachment and the Pragmatic

Turn.” India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs, 72, no. 2 (2016): 120-131.

Fels, Enrico. “Power in International Relations.” Shifting Power in Asia-Pacific (2016):153-

193.

Gracer, Tara, Lalani, Zahra and Nguyen, Chi. “The Obstacles Facing India on Its Journey to

Becoming a Developed Country.” The Park Place Economist, 21 (2013): 31-42.

Holsti, K. J. “The Concept of Power in the Study of International Relations.” Background,

57, no. 4 (1964): 179-194.

 9

Jain, Subhash C. “Emerging Economies and the Transformation of International Business:

Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRICs)”. Massachusetts: Edward Elgar Publishing,

2006.

Khanna, Parag. “The Second World: Empires and Influence in the New Global Order”.

London: Penguin UK, 2009.

Krugman, Paul. “Can America Stay on Top?” Journal of Economic Perspectives, 14, no. 1

(2000): 169-175.

Nabers, Dirk. “Power, leadership, and hegemony in international politics: the case of East

Asia.” Review of International Studies (2010): 1-25.

Nadkarni, Vidya and Noonan, Norma C. “Emerging Powers in a Comparative Perspective:

The Political and Economic Rise of the BRIC Countries.” NY: Bloomsbury

Publishing USA, 2013.

Peng Er, Lam, Lim Tai Wei, Lim and Prapat, Thepchatree. “Rise Of China and India, the: A

New Asian Drama.” Chennai: World Scientific, 2009.

Rajak, Jeevan Singh. “Corruption in India: Nature, Causes, Consequences and Cure”. Journal

Of Humanities And Social Science, 18, no. 5 (2013): 20-24.

Theobald, Robin. “So what really is the problem about corruption?” Third World Quarterly,

20, no. 3 (1999): 491-502.

Yongnian, Zheng and Xin, Lim Wen. “The Changing Geopolitical Landscape, China and the

World Order in the 21st Century.” China: An International Journal, 15, no. 1(2017):

4-23.
10