In the international political system, certain countries have always held away. Most of these states built their global influence through politico- economic cum military might acquired through the control of international maritime routes, global trade; projection of own currency and heavy armament. Amongst them, there has always been a balance of power game, untill the emergence of nuclear weapons and the acquisition of second strike capability. It was this that resulted in a shift from the old concept of balance of power to an even more dangerous and contemporary balance of terror.
In history, states such as the Republic of Germany, France and the Great Britain - former empires in Europe - were determining the goings-on in the international system. This picture was however altered at the end of the World War 11 (WW2) with the emergence of a bipolar world controlled by the United States of America and the defunct Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR). However, sequel to a combination of factors including economic downturn and the reforms initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev, the USSR disintegrated into fifteen countries on 26th December, 1991, with Russia becoming the main successor of the Soviet Union. This was after a world characterized by intense arms race, proxy wars, and detente between the USA and USSR.
However, in the contemporary world, a multipolar system has emerged with several countries having a level of influence beyond their territory. This is incumbent on certain power indices, especially economic strength and possession of certain critical earth gems such as crude oil , Uranium, Copper, and Gold. This will include such countries as China, Canada, India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and perhaps the United Arab Emirates.
For instance, there is a contestation amongst China, Russia, Turkey, European Union, India, and the US over who controls the large expanse of region refered to as Euroasia. This is made possible because power game has now gone beyond the US and Russia. This picture is also gradually emerging in Africa where Russia, Turkey, and China are beginning to take markets hitherto controlled by the West. Additionally, there is the wielding of power through the exportation of system of government, preferred economic structure, and religion/sect. These have made certain countries so powerful as the adherents of their style of governmental arrangement are spreading across the globe.
Nevertheless, not a few watchers of international political system are of the view that great power politics will likely assume a new dimension with the grand return of Donald Trump as the 47th POTUS. Consequently, the world is bracing up for a more engaging international system, albeit, guided by well calculated moves. The Game Theory in international relations may make a huge return ahead of the postulations of the realist and idealist traditional scholars.
Put succinctly, Great Power Politics talks of political moves, interactions, rivalries and alliances amongst the most powerful nations usually for the purposes of protecting "national interest". This manifests in various ways including wars and proxy wars; support for or against embargos; hostile diplomatic moves such as withdrawal of envoys; trade wars; massive politico-economic and military support for government who are avers to enemy nations; and expansion of interest in non-traditional territories, such as the current developments in the Sahel, to mention a few.
There is no gain saying that in this emerging power dynamics, the possibility of Africa being a playground may not be foreclosed. It is may therefore be expedient for African leaders, including Nigeria, to make an unbiased assessment of the emerging picture of the international political system and position properly to benefit from a possible new power equation.
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