A recent analysis published in A Nação, a prominent Cabo Verdean newspaper, examines the concept of systemic power in the context of contemporary international relations. The article, written by Albertino Ramos, argues that the interdependence of nations has become a source of asymmetric vulnerability, rather than a mechanism for stability and prosperity. This shift is attributed to the increasing convergence of geopolitics, geoeconomics, and geo-strategy.
The post-Cold War era was marked by a convergence around free trade, financial integration, and multilateral institutions, with interdependence seen as a stabilizing force. However, the current reality reveals a deep rupture, with the invasion of Ukraine, technological competition between Washington and Beijing, and the militarization of supply chains. The multilateral order is giving way to rival blocs, and the economy has become a domain of strategic confrontation.
The concept of systemic power integrates three traditionally separate dimensions: geopolitics, geo-strategy, and geoeconomics. Geopolitics examines the spatial conditions of power, while geo-strategy involves the planning and execution of courses of action. Geoeconomics, on the other hand, focuses on the use of economic instruments for positioning and security. The article argues that the interdependence of nations has become a source of vulnerability, rather than a mechanism for stability.
The globalized economy was built on the promise of integration and shared prosperity, with interdependence as a stabilizing force. However, the current reality exposes the fragilities of this construct, with trade and financial relationships increasingly being used as instruments of coercion. The article cites recent studies indicating that the world is not experiencing a complete deglobalization, but rather a process of "great relocation" of supply chains.
The search for economic security, rational at an individual level, generates a vicious cycle of fragmentation, producing a collectively inefficient outcome. The multilateral system appears incapable of arbitrating the conflict between efficiency and security. Empirical research supports this trend, highlighting an increase in "friendshoring" – the practice of diversifying trade relationships with like-minded countries.
The concept of systemic power designates the capacity of an actor – state, international organization, or company – to utilize economic, political, and military instruments, taking into account geographical constraints, to achieve positioning, security, and influence in the international system. The article argues that systemic power is not reducible to the sum of its three dimensions, but rather constitutes a synthesis that captures their growing interpenetration.
The analysis concludes that understanding systemic power is essential for navigating the complexities of contemporary international relations. As the global order continues to evolve, the intersection of geopolitics, geoeconomics, and geo-strategy will play an increasingly important role in shaping the actions of states and other actors. The article provides a framework for analyzing these dynamics and their implications for decision-makers.
Key points
- The interdependence of nations has become a source of asymmetric vulnerability, rather than a mechanism for stability and prosperity.
- The concept of systemic power integrates geopolitics, geo-strategy, and geoeconomics to understand the complexities of contemporary international relations.
- The global order is experiencing a process of "great relocation" of supply chains, driven by geopolitical considerations.
