Regional power
In international relations, regional power, since the late 20th century has been used for a sovereign state that exercises significant power within its geographical region.[1][2] States that wield unrivaled power and influence within a region of the world possess regional hegemony.
Regional powers shape the polarity of a regional area. Typically, regional powers have capabilities which are important in the region, but do not have capabilities at a global scale. Slightly contrasting definitions differ as to what makes a regional power. The European Consortium for Political Research defines a regional power as 'a state belonging to a geographically defined region, dominating this region in economic and military terms, able to exercise hegemonic influence in the region and considerable influence on the world scale, willing to make use of power resources and recognized or even accepted as the regional leader by its neighbors.'[1]
The German Institute of Global and Area Studies states that a regional power must:[2]
