Scribd
Upload
185 views9 pages

Economic and Military Shifts of Powers

The document discusses Paul Kennedy's 1988 book "The Rise and Fall of Great Powers" which examines the economic and military factors that influenced changes in the global balance of power between major nations from 1500 to 2000. It analyzes how technological and organizational breakthroughs contributed to uneven economic growth between nations. Great powers' ability to sustain their status depended on maintaining the right balance between productive economic activities, military power, and avoiding overextension through excess spending on military buildup or territories. The future of the global balance of power remains non-linear and uncertain.

Uploaded by

Bryce Robinson
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Topics covered

  • Trade Systems,
  • Japan's Future,
  • Power Dynamics,
  • Peace Strategy,
  • Germany,
  • China's Rise,
  • Strategic Balance,
  • Future of Warfare,
  • Economic Underpinnings,
  • Military Build-up
185 views9 pages

Economic and Military Shifts of Powers

The document discusses Paul Kennedy's 1988 book "The Rise and Fall of Great Powers" which examines the economic and military factors that influenced changes in the global balance of power between major nations from 1500 to 2000. It analyzes how technological and organizational breakthroughs contributed to uneven economic growth between nations. Great powers' ability to sustain their status depended on maintaining the right balance between productive economic activities, military power, and avoiding overextension through excess spending on military buildup or territories. The future of the global balance of power remains non-linear and uncertain.

Uploaded by

Bryce Robinson
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Topics covered

  • Trade Systems,
  • Japan's Future,
  • Power Dynamics,
  • Peace Strategy,
  • Germany,
  • China's Rise,
  • Strategic Balance,
  • Future of Warfare,
  • Economic Underpinnings,
  • Military Build-up

The Rise and Fall of Great Powers

Economic Change & Military Conflict from 1500 to 2000

Author : Paul Kennedy (1988)

Review/Comments by : Dipinder Sekhon

March 17th 2008, MPA – Sciences Po, Paris


“Great Power”
 What ?

Interrelations
 Economic, Military
 Fame/Respect, Influence, Happiness
 Population
 Cultural, Technological advancement
 Who ?
 Nations... their leaders, their people
 MNCs...their leaders, their stakeholders
 Groups and Alliances / Identities...people
“Rise & Fall” ... Power has been transitory
Great Powers : 1500-2000
 Ming China
 The Muslim World
 Ottoman, Persian, Mogul Empires
Strategy &
 Japan Economics
 Habsburg Bloc / Spain, Austria
 Russia ... Muscovy
 Britain
 Germany Changing
 Austria Hungary
Balances
 Netherlands
 Europe / EEC
 The United States

The Middle Powers


Key Issues
Peace time strategy, developments

Results and consequences of Wars

Uneven rates of growth

Technological Organisational
breakthroughs Breakthroughs

Wealth is usually needed to underpin military power and


military power is usually needed to acquire (!) and protect wealth
Breakthroughs...
 Travel, Communication, Information
 Trade
 Banking / Credit system
 Military Innovations
 Energy : Technology, Resources
 Innovation, Productivity
Strategy
 Resource Allocation
The
 Productive, Wealth Creating Activities Right
 Military power enhancement Balance

Over extension of the state

Maintaining a large/extensive military, territories, influence......


.... fighting costly wars ....
Future : 21st Century
 Historical trends ... non-linear
 China+, US\, EU?, Soviet Union- ,Japan+
 War ? ... ceased after 1945 ? ... Mankind
will not be foolish again ?
 1910 international bestseller “The Great
Illusions” .. war is disastrous for both victors and
vanquished

“...continued deficit spending, especially on military build-up, will be


the single most important reason for decline of any Great Power”
Thank You !!

You might also like