Leaders of the G20 countries and others present at the 2008 G-20 Washington summit. Most members of the G20 are middle powers while some are great powers.
Part of the Politics series
Basic forms of government
List of forms of government
List of countries by system of government
Source of power
Democracy (rule by many)
Demarchy
Direct
Liberal
Representative
Social
Socialist
Others
Oligarchy (rule by few)
Anocracy
Aristocracy
Gerontocracy
Kleptocracy
Kritarchy
Meritocracy
Noocracy
Particracy
Plutocracy
Stratocracy
Technocracy
Theocracy
Autocracy (rule by one)
Despotism
Dictatorship
Military dictatorship
Tyranny
Anarchy (rule by none)
Anarchism
Free association
Stateless
Power ideology
Monarchy
Republic
(socio-political ideologies)
Absolute
Communist
Constitutional
Directorial
Legalist
Parliamentary
Presidential
Semi-presidential
Authoritarian
Libertarian
(socio-economic ideologies)
Anarchism
Colonialism
Communism
Despotism
Distributism
Fascism
Feudalism
Socialism
Totalitarianism
Tribalism
Religious
Secular
State religion
Secular state
State atheism
Global
Local
(geo-cultural ideologies)
City-state
Intergovernmental organisation
National government
World government
Nationalism
Internationalism
Globalism
Power structure
Unitarism
Unitary state
Empire
Principality
Client state
Associated state
Dependent territory
Dominion
Protectorate
Puppet state
Puppet monarch
Satellite state
Self-governing colony
Tributary state
Buffer state
Vassal state
Viceroyalty
Federalism
Confederation
Devolution
Federation
Superstate
Supranational union
International relations
Small power
Regional power
Middle power
Great power
Superpower
Related
Administrative division
Democracy indices
Democratic transition
Autocratization
Democratisation
Hybrid regimes
Politics portal
v
t
e
A Middle power is a state that is not a superpower or a great power, but still exerts influence and plays a significant role in international relations. These countries often possess certain capabilities, such as strong economies, advanced technologies, and diplomatic influence, that allow them to have a voice in global affairs. Middle powers are typically seen as bridge-builders between larger powers, using their diplomatic skills to mediate conflicts and promote cooperation on international issues.[1]
Middle powers play a crucial role in the international system by promoting multilateralism, cooperation, and peaceful resolution of conflicts. They are able to leverage their resources and diplomatic skills to advance their national interests while also contributing to global stability and prosperity. As such, middle powers are an important and often overlooked factor in the complex web of international relations.[2]
The concept of the "middle power" dates back to the origins of the European state system. In the late 16th century, Italian political thinker Giovanni Botero divided the world into three types of states: grandissime (great powers), mezano (middle powers), and piccioli (small powers). According to Botero, a mezano or middle power "has sufficient strength and authority to stand on its own without the need of help from others."[3]
^Jordaan, Eduard (2003). "The concept of a middle power in international relations: distinguishing between emerging and traditional middle powers". Politikon. 30 (1): 165–181. doi:10.1080/0258934032000147282. ISSN 0258-9346.
^Laurence, Marion (18 October 2023). "Middle Powers". Oxford Research Encyclopedia of International Studies. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780190846626.013.783. ISBN 978-0-19-084662-6.
^Rudd K (2006) Making Australia a force for good, Labor eHerald Archived 27 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine
A Middlepower is a state that is not a superpower or a great power, but still exerts influence and plays a significant role in international relations...
and economic strength, as well as diplomatic and soft power influence, which may cause middle or small powers to consider the great powers' opinions...
power which could probably be viewed as a regional power if grouped with Latin America, or a definite regional power if considered in either Middle America...
antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and today.[failed verification] Classics Shang Yang, Guan Zhong and Chanakya, widely discussed the power of state...
Thailand United Arab Emirates Vietnam Politics portal Economics portal Middlepower MINT (economics) G20 G4 nations Asian Century Kennedy, Paul (1987). The...
authoritarian, relatively secular and Islamist. Pakistan is considered a middlepower nation, with the world's sixth-largest standing armed forces. It is a...
The Middle East (term originally coined in English [see § Terminology]) is a geopolitical region encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Turkey...
can get access to the middlepower club since this is a category with loose membership criteria, but access to the great power club is not possible. Small...
in power structures, and the fragility of state bureaucracy. The medieval period is itself sometimes subdivided into the Early, High, and Late Middle Ages...
Century Indian Century Chinese Century Soviet empire Middlepower Second superpower Small power Group of Two Historic recurrence International relations...
United States and a middlepower in the Arab world. Its economy has risen rapidly through its resource-wealth, and its geopolitical power has risen through...
as president in 1983. Argentina is a regional power, and retains its historic status as a middlepower in international affairs. A major non-NATO ally...
The Middle Dnieper Hydroelectric Station is a run-of-river power plant on the Dnieper River in Kamianske, Ukraine, operated by Ukrhydroenergo. The primary...
worldwide and the 3rd electoral democracy in Africa. South Africa is a middlepower in international affairs; it maintains significant regional influence...
regional power on the African continent, a middlepower in international affairs, and has also been identified as an emerging global power. Nigeria is...
than US$1.25 a day. Nevertheless, South Africa has been identified as a middlepower in international affairs, and maintains significant regional influence...
examination of "placing power in external objects". "Annatar" convinces Celebrimbor to forge the Rings of Power "But wherefore should Middle-earth remain for...
Assyrian Empire in the 1300s BC Middle Kingdom (disambiguation) MiddlepowerMiddle-earth Central African Empire List of medieval great powers This disambiguation...
of the executive and the legislature. Iraq is considered an emerging middlepower with a strategic location and a founding member of the United Nations...
Malcolm in the Middle is an American sitcom created by Linwood Boomer for Fox. The series premiered on January 9, 2000, and ended on May 14, 2006, after...
with a presence in 12 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Central and South-East Asia. ACWA Power's portfolio of projects in operation and development...
and ἄρχω (árkhō) 'to rule, command') is a conceptual form of power structure in which power rests with a small number of people. These people may or may...
government relies on the confidence of the parliament, Folketinget, to stay in power. If there is a successful motion of no confidence against the government...
Fifth power Hasbara Intangible asset Middlepower Netpolitik Power (international relations) Power projection Science diplomacy Sharp power Smart power Power...
economically focusing on tourism and business. The UAE is considered a middlepower. It is a member of the United Nations, Arab League, Organisation of Islamic...
with absolute power. Normally, that entity is an individual, the despot (as in an autocracy), but societies which limit respect and power to specific groups...
Egypt is considered to be a regional power in North Africa, the Middle East and the Muslim world, and a middlepower worldwide. It is a developing country...
country is considered both a regional power and middlepower, and is often identified as an emerging global power. Mexico is a member of the United Nations...
Global Information
Politics portal