Notes on the Power Structure of the International System

Abstract

This article attempts to clarify what we know and do not know about the international system's power structure by first analysing some key concepts in power analysis and then summarizing some traditional ideas about international power. In Part I of the article concepts like 'the exercise of power', 'the possession of power', 'power structure', and 'power base' are discussed; it is concluded that the key difficulty in analysing international power is our scanty knowledge about power bases. Part II departs from the notion that when mapping the international power structure we should first and foremost identify the 'Great Powers', analyse the relations between these Powers, and examine the 'spheres of interest' surrounding them; it is argued that this is traditionally done in a simplistic way but that more realistic accounts of international power may become complex enough to call into question whether there really exists something that deserves to be called an international power structure.