My List of Top 10 Powerful Countries - 2009

1.      The United States of America

It is the world's biggest economy and by far in terms of spending and power. The World’s 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 USA the worlds most powerful country. One may always deny it, but the fact remains placid.

2.      Russian Federation

It has 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 (Gross National Product) 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 an 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 a lot of influence over Africa. It is also a G7 economy, a leading democracy, and has a quite large army; one of world’s most powerful in fact. Added to this EU membership gives it extra power.

5.      Great Britain

UN security council status, nuclear weapons, G7 economy, a leading democratic state, and a media from music, to actors centre, that has a lot of influence over the world as of its popularity. Membership of the EU adds to its power.

6.      Republic of India

The most populous democracy, a growing economy, a nuke weapons carrier, and as the Second most populous country on Earth it has the morals way. 

7.      Japan

The State of Japan has the second largest economy, and a big democracy, but rammed in by China, and the USA, so below France, Britain and India.

8.      Federal Republic of Germany

It is the World's third largest economy. EU member, of the 27 European Union countries, but hampered in influence of World War II, and World War I, 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. Pakistan spends so much on its military dictatorship, while Indonesia grows as a more civil democratic land. Its power tussles with India, make it keep a high arms budget, but could weaken it in the long term, as army spending in the long term is a inefficient use of economic resources.

10.  Republic of Brazil

It is the largest Latin American country, Largest Portuguese speaking land, good relations globally. It is also the biggest power in Africa, South Africa, via the support for the ANC (African National Congress) and its huge economy.

Changes expected for 2009 include India and China continuing their advance towards their new world power status, but all these lands essentially keep their positions for the year because of each nation's innate strengths. The European Union could be called a new superpower, if it carries on progressing, and if its members continue pooling more powers. The links between North America and Europe across the Atlantic, should keep these areas strong in the world. Will USA keep its place as the hyper power for few more years???...Now that is to be patiently waited for and seen.