User:RobSmith/Essay:Understanding Power Politics

International Power Politics can be best understood by grasping two fundemental issues that are not dependent upon ideology or personalities. They are Trade and Arms production

International trade

• Either trade crosses borders or armies cross borders.
• A nation is either an net debtor or net asset holder in the balance of trade.
• Trade surpluses and trade deficits are like the ebb and flow of tides; likewise manpower in the form of technical experts ebb and flow to nations with trade surpluses.

Arms production

• A nation is either a net producer or net importer in the arms trade.

Historical examples

Prior to WWI

Net producers

• Germany
• France
• Great Britian

Net importers

• United States
• Russia

Prior to WWII

Net producers

• Germany
• France
• Great Britian
• Japan

Net importers

• United States
• Russia
• China

Cold War

Net producers

• Germany
• France
• Great Britian
• United States
• Russia
• Israel
• South Africa

Net importers

• Japan
• China

Post-Soviet era

Net producers

• Germany
• France
• Great Britian
• United States
• Russia
• Israel
• China
• North Korea

Net importers

• Japan
• South Africa