The world's biggest economy and by far in terms of spending and power the worlds strongest army, the most powerful democracy, and the media centre of the world, plus in many ways the centre of world diplomacy and foreign relations. This easily makes the USA the worlds most powerful country.
2 Russian Federation
The second largest army, and a puppeteer of many Central Asian states. The largest European population, and largest world area, which gives it immense control over itself, and immense levels of independence . The size of Russia helps give it extra resources and abilities that make it such a big power.
3 Peoples Republic of China
The 4th or 2nd largest GNP depending on different measures (Either normal measures, or ones which cancel out misleading totals for currency values, in that later case China places second) a recent riser, above France and Britain, It also has established itself as having nukes. a huge army, and is becoming even more of a international power, as of the resource hungry booming economy, though even if that stalled, it would still be 3rd, as of other advantages.
Plus massively the Largest population in the world, And like the above 2 is a UN Security council member.
4 France
The fifth republic has UN security council membership, is a nuclear power and has alot of influence over Africa. It is also a G7 economy, a leading democracy, and has a quite large army, one of worlds most powerful infact. Added to this EU membership gives it extra power.
5 Britain
UN security council status, nuclear weapons, G7 economy, a leading democratic state, and a media from music, to actors centre, that has alot of influence over the world as of it's popularity. Membership of the EU adds to it's power.
6 Japan
The State of Japan has the second largest economy, and a big democracy, large population, but rammed in by China, and the USA, so below France, and Britain,
7 Republic of India
The most populous democracy, a growing economy, and nuke weapons, as the Second most populous country on Earth it has moral sway,
8 Federal Republic of Germany
The World's third economy, and a top 3 in terms of power EU member, of the 27 European Union countries, but hampered in influence, as of World War two, and World War One, Which affected Germany's moral position in the world, and reduced German influence on many areas of the world,
9 Republic of Pakistan
Second largest Muslim country, largest in the area where most Muslim lands are, has nuclear weapons, and a quite united nationality,
Beats Indonesia, as that land is to far away from other Muslim lands, so carries less weight. but mabye could rise. if Pakistan fizzles a bit as of spending so much on it's millitary dictatorship. While Indonesia, grows as a more civil democratic land. Maybe Indonesia is below, as it was a even more brutal dictatorship to it's people, in the late 1960s too 1990s. While Pakistan was to other nationalities, such as Bangladeshis. during the 1970s, but to West Pakistan people was not as bad as Indonesia's brutal dictators were to it's people in the mid and late 1960s, If Pakistan had not been so bad to Bengalis then it would still have them, and stand no chance of falling behind Indonesia, as it rises. It's power tussles with India, make it keep a high arms budget, but could weaken it long term, as army spending long term is a inefficient use of economic resources.
10 Republic of Brazil
Largest Latin American country, Largest Portugueese speaking land, good relations globally.
Biggest power in Africa, South Africa, via the support for the ANC, it's huge economy, and such.
Biggest power in South Pacific, bar above mentioned, is Australia. Well it is the biggest, and that includes Chile, and Peru. Though outside of this area it lacks international power.
Changes expected for 2008 include India and China continuing their advance as of their new world power status, but all these lands essentially keeping their positions for next year as of each nation's inate strenghs. The European Union could be called a new superpower, if it carries on progressing, and if it's members continue pooling more powers. The links between North America and Europe across the Atlantic, should keep these areas strong in the world. With the USA keeping it's place as the hyper power for another decade at least.o
