Element of National Power
1. Geography, the foreign policy of a country is determined by its geography.
The location of immediate neighbor also determines the position of a state. Buffer states are of ten forces to be neutral.
State located very close to big powers are influenced by the policy of neighboring countries.
The shape of territory of a country has also its impact on a state’s position. A compact territory helps in internal communication as well as in protection of frontiers.
2. Population, large population can both be a source of weakness or a source of strength. Usually large numbers are a source of strength in the developed countries whereas in under developed countries they are a source of weakness. From the quality point of view the population should be composed of young people. If majority of the people are engaged in agriculture the power is less as compared to the country engaged is semi-industrial or industrial professions.
3. Resources, no country can develop an industrial base unless it possesses sufficient natural resources and raw materials. Raw materials on the other hand are not natural they are produced by human labour and include things like rubber, hide, cotton, etc.
4. Technology, technology affects only the power base of a state but also the entire courses of international politics.
5. Organization and Leadership, organization and leadership are the most important element of national power because ultimately they alone operate to convert a potential into a realized power.
6. National Character and Morale, they are mainly the product of history and social experience.
7. Military Element, all nations are forced to depend on its own system of security and power. The military element of national powers depends both on the quantity and quality of its armed forces.
Appraisal (evaluation) of National Power, a nation may have all the elements of power and yet be a weak state. Similarly another state may lack one or two elements and yet be an effective power.