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Greece- Elements of National Power

Swasthik Shetty

2131001

Submitted to

Prof. Madhumati Deshpande

5 BA-HEP

Department of International studies, Political Science and History 

School of Humanities and Social Sciences 

August, 2023
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INTRODUCTION

Power plays a central role in the realm of international relations. Power in international

relations is defined in relational terms, as the ability of actor A to influence the behaviour of

actor B to get the outcome one wants. The international system is commonly perceived as

anarchic, where each actor seeks to advance its interests and achieve its objectives. This is

precisely where the concept of power becomes relevant and influential. The foreign policy of

every nation is based on its national interests and goals wherein the national power helps in

fulfilling its national goals.

Greece, situated in southern Europe borders the Aegean Sea, the Ionian Sea and the

Mediterranean Sea between Albania and Turkey. Greece is known for its rich history and

culture and possesses a unique set of elements that contribute to its national power. This

paper will analyse the elements of Greece's national power by looking at both the tangible

elements and intangible elements of its national power. By examining the strengths and

weaknesses of each element we can understand how they contribute to Greece's overall

national power and its position on the global stage.

MILITARY POWER

Greece's military power is a significant element of its national power. The Greek armed

forces consist of the Hellenic army, navy and Air force. It has well-trained and professional

armed forces, advanced weaponry and a history of military prowess. It is one of the few

NATO countries that allocates more than 2% of its GDP for military expenditures. It has

participated in several NATO missions in Afghanistan, and the Eastern Mediterranean by

assisting in the evacuation of foreign nationals from Lebanon (2006) and Libya (2014)

(Karagiannis, 2020). Greece is ranked 30th out of 145 countries for the year 2023 in the

global firepower index (Global Fire Power, 2023). Greece is increasingly focusing on
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developing its military capabilities to tackle its geopolitical competitor Turkey. Turkey is

making groundless claims on its territory and there are frequent sea and airspace violations

and military manoeuvres by Turkey. Turkey is much more powerful than Greece in terms of

military capabilities it is ranked 11 by the global firepower index (Global firepower, 2023).

Greece realising that it cannot overtake Turkey in military capabilities is focusing on

enhancing its relational power and is maintaining close ties with US, France and Germany

and is importing defensive weapons from them. In addition to this, it is collaborating with

countries for regional security issues like Israel and Egypt and Saudi Arabia and the United

Arab Emirates who also have their own problems with Turkey. Greece's location is strategic

and vital to Western security and NATO operations. However, its military capabilities still are

a potential power that it needs to convert upon in order to act as a valuable partner for

regional and international security cooperation.

ECONOMY

Greece has a mixed economy, with sectors like tourism, shipping, agriculture and, services

playing vital roles.  Tourism is the cornerstone of the Greek economy, attracting millions of

tourists each year. The shipping industry is another crucial pillar, making Greece one of the

world's largest ship-owning nations and providing significant revenue. In 2021, Greece

received foreign direct investment amounting to 6.3 billion U.S. dollars, a significant increase

from the 3.2 billion dollars invested the previous year. On the other hand, Greece's outbound

foreign direct investment in 2021 amounted to 1.1 billion dollars, showing substantial growth

compared to the 547 million dollars invested abroad in the preceding year (Statista, 2023).

However, Greece still encounters obstacles concerning the management of its substantial

public debt, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), and mitigating bureaucratic obstacles

for businesses. Greece's economy is still in the growing stage and has not been able to use its

economic power to strengthen its diplomatic standing and assert its interest and values in
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international forums and negotiations. It has not been able to provide good opportunities to its

youth and prove that they can have a good long-term career which is why the problem of

brain drain comes in. The potential strength lies in harnessing its strategic position as a

gateway linking Europe, the Middle East, and Africa for trade and investment.

POPULATION

Greece has a population of approximately 10.4 million people (World Bank, 2023). Its

population is relatively small compared to other European nations. However, its population is

largely educated and highly skilled. It's ranked 33 in the IMD World talent report which looks

at the investment and development of home-grown talent, the extent to which the country

taps into the overseas talent pool and the skills and competencies of the labour force (IMD,

2023). Greece faces demographic challenges including an ageing population and brain drain

that is impacting the country’s long-term growth potential wherein the country's skilled

professionals are seeking jobs abroad due to fewer opportunities in Greece. Greece has to

avoid the brain drain situation and prove to the youth it is possible for them to stay in Greece

and have a good career. Its population is still its potential power that can be converted into the

actual one by harnessing its diaspora network and attracting talent back to the country.

GEOGRAPHICAL ADVANTAGES

The topography of Greece largely is mountainous with 2/3 rd of the territory covered in

mountains.  The country has few natural resources like petroleum, magnetite, lignite, bauxite,

hydropower and marble. However, the strategic location of Greece in the Eastern

Mediterranean significantly adds to its national power. Its position serves as a crossroads

between Europe, Asia, and Africa making it a critical player in regional politics, trade and

energy transport routes. It serves as a vital link between the energy-rich Eastern

Mediterranean and the energy-consuming countries of Western Europe. Moreover, due to its
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strategic location, Greece possesses the capability to deploy military resources in support of

collective security endeavours within the region. This attribute makes Greece a significant

ally for regional security initiatives and NATO operations. The country has an extensive

coastline of 13,676 km and has numerous islands that offer valuable maritime capabilities

over maritime security and navigation. However, the rugged terrain and numerous islands

presents logistical challenges for military operations and infrastructure development. Despite

holding a position of influence in regional affairs, Greece has the potential to achieve even

more by effectively utilizing its strategic location to foster economic partnerships and

undertake energy-related projects.

SOFT POWER

Greece with its rich cultural heritage, historical significance and democratic principles wields

a significant soft power influence on the global stage. Soft power refers to the state's ability to

influence others through its ideas, ideals and interests. In short, it is the attractive power of

the country that works through attraction, seduction and persuasion. According to the

Portland Soft power index, that ranks the top 30 soft power countries of the world gave

Greece the 25th position (Greece- Soft Power, 2019). This section will look at the cultural

aspects, political culture, democracy and ideology of Greece and how it becomes its soft

powers

One important thing to keep in mind is that soft power in itself does not lead to the fulfilment

of foreign policy objectives. The foreign policy of a country is unidirectional. No country

would take a decision that is against their national interest even if they like a country's culture

and values. The reason why soft power becomes an important tool of national power is that it

helps in creating a political environment that is favourable to the achievements of its foreign

policy objectives.
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CULTURAL ASPECTS

Greek which is considered by many as the cradle of civilisation possesses a rich culture that

is renowned worldwide for its vibrant traditions, ancient mythology, and ancient

philosophers, and contributions to art, literature, philosophy and science. The architecture of

Greece is famous worldwide and the marvels in Athens add to its cultural prowess.

Traditional music such as the soul-capturing sounds of bouzouki and traditional dances like

the iconic Syrtaki, all add to its international appeal. Greek literature with its epic tales like

Iliad and the Odyssey inspires writers and readers worldwide. All of this adds to its

international appeal and fosters a positive image of Greece.

Greece is a cultural destination for tourists around the world who are enamoured by its

cuisine, music, art, and architecture. Tourists from across the world visit its ancient cultural

history and archaeological sites. They not only add to the economic growth of the country but

also carry with them the culture of Greece and helps to improve public perception of Greece

abroad. Its global diaspora that is spread across the world acts as an important agent of its

cultural dissemination. The country also hosts cultural festivals such as Athens and Epidarus

Festivals that attract international visitors and promote cultural change and understanding.

However, Greek cuisine with its healthy Mediterranean diet has been recognised as part of

UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage, enhancing its soft power appeal. Greece is renowned

as the birthplace of the Olympic games, the Olympic idea and classic athletic competitions,

boats a rich tradition of hosting and taking part in significant sporting events. It closely works

with other governments in matters related to international sports relations and events, the

Olympic games, The Olympic Truce Initiative and the planning and execution of

international sports cooperation. All these components act as the soft power of Greece and

influence the perception and image of Greece abroad.

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Democracy

Greece is the birthplace of democracy. It has a long-standing tradition of civic participation

and political discourse. Greece’s political system symbolizes freedom, equality and the rule

of law. Greece's commitment to democratic values strengthens its global reputation as a

champion of human rights and civil liberties. It has played a significant role in regional

conflict resolution, contributing to stability in the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean..

Greece is ranked 25 out of 167 countries in the democracy index prepared by the Economic

Intelligence Unit (EIU, 2022). It looks at the electoral process, political participation,

democratic political culture and civil liberties. Greece's engagement in regional and global

initiatives as a member of the European Union, NATO and the United Nations improves its

credibility and image. For instance, the Athens democracy forum brings together the leader’s

political leaders intellectuals and activists to discuss democratic principles and challenges.

The forum not only showcases Greece's democracy forum but also positions it as a hub of

democratic dialogue and exchange.

Ideology and Values.

Greece's ideology and values further enhance its soft power projection. The nation promotes

principles of human rights, social justice and environmental sustainability and cultural

diversity. Greece commits to these values and also advocates them on the global stage. 

Greece's caring approach towards refugees and migrants, providing support and shelter to

those in need, demonstrates its kindness and earns praise from other countries. The country's

commitment to environmental sustainability and green initiatives aligns with the worldwide

focus on protecting the environment.

All this may sound like an essay on Greece culture but this is what soft power entails. All

these components act as the soft power of Greece and influence the perception and image of
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Greece abroad. It is helping Greece in making other countries accept its leadership role

regionally or globally, attract foreign capital and visitors, increase support towards its

objective in the international arena and strengthen its position in the international forum.

Greece's soft power is so evident through its current cultural influence and thriving

international tourism However, the country holds substantial untapped potential to further

boost its global standing by effectively leveraging its historical and contemporary soft power

assets.

CONCLUSION.

To conclude, Greece's national power comes from a dynamic balance between its military

capabilities, economic prowess, population dynamics, strategic location and soft power

resources. All of this helps Greece in fulfilment of its national interest and creating a political

environment favourable to the achievements of its foreign policy objectives. While certain

challenges exist within these aspects, Greece at the same time holds great potential to

enhance and bolster its national power on the world stage. Greece is working on creating and

executing a comprehensive regional strategy aimed at achieving lasting peace and security, as

well as fostering economic prosperity in its neighbourhood.

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