4.1: Military Expenditure

Political power is in some ways more complex than the other three sources discussed earlier in this book. For one it is less specific and amenable to quantitative measurement, as was the case in our representation of the other three sources.

Sources of Power over ‘not absolute’

All sources of power are not absolute in the sense of being in possession of that power on their own Power is relational. The power, inherent in any ‘source’ of power can express itself when it interacts with one or more of the other. It is contextual. The outcome of its inherent value depends on the context of events in which it comes into play. Furthermore, it is contingent. Its outcome is dependent on a host of uncertainties, which are not amenable to precise enumeration, and measurement on prediction. It is the will of the unknown which provides human freedom for action entrepreneurship and the ultimate responsibility for the meaningful exercise of power.

The difference between “internet tower and expressed power”

Thus while it is important to enumerate and measure the four ‘Sources of power’ in the G & G framework of facts and opinions, it is equally if not more important to remember that there is an important difference between the ‘Internet value’ which has been measured and displayed on the G & G Barometer charts and tables, this inherent value can be different from the “expressed value”. The difference is explained by the phenomenon of power being relational, contextual contingent and open to human freedom or entrepreneurship.

We now move to the next section where we explain the measurement of different types of political power through examples. At this moment we are providing the measurement on only one source of political power, namely military power, measured through their annual expenditure on their national military.

Dashboard on Military Expenditure Indicators

Military Expenditure (1949-2020)

Military Expenditure per capita (1988-2020)

Military expenditure as share of GDP (1949-2020)

Military Expenditure as a share of GDP (1827-2016)

Armed Force Personnel as share of total population (1985-2018)

Further Reading

• Military Expenditure

• War in Ukrine