Introduction
A great power is an independent nation-state widely acknowledged as having the resources and knowledge to influence events on a global scale. Because of their military might, economic might, diplomatic influence, and soft power impact, middle and small states may think twice before acting independently of the major powers. Great power status has been dissected by theorists of international relations into its constituent parts: power capacities, geographic scope, and status indicators (Heimann, 2015). Throughout history, institutions like the Congress of Vienna and the United Nations Security Council have formally acknowledged the existence of major powers. Great power involves powerful gatherings include the UN Security Council, NATO Quint, the G7, the BRICs, and the Contact Group. Therefore, great power is inevitable, especially when it comes to conflict management.
Must Great Powers Inevitably Come Into Conflict?
Traditional foreign policy research has focused largely on the actions of big nations. According to Heimann (2015), major nations take a more proactive role in international affairs than smaller governments do. Heimann (2015) accounts for great power status, with the underlying assumption being that significant powers are more likely to employ these foreign policy tools, such as dispersing international aid, forming alliances, and becoming involved in conflicts. Both cooperative and conflictive behaviors of great powers within the international system are discussed in the literature on great-power foreign policy (Heimann, 2015). It focuses on the greater propensity for war among major powers and explores the factors, including positional concerns and the desire to mold the international system to their liking, that motivate major powers to resort to war.
Conclusion
Great powers are more likely to take coercive and cooperative foreign policy activities as compared to minor powers. Moreover, there is a competitive nature of major-power interactions and the trade-off between economic and military security and policy concessions that characterizes major-power interactions with smaller states.
Reference
Heimann, G. (2015). What does it take to be a great power? The story of France joining the Big Five. Review of International Studies, 41(1), 185-206. Web.