concept of "power" and its central position in the debate over the practical uses to which theory may be put. Power is a commodity that states either have - or seek to have (Moens 55). As such it is considered, by Realists particularly, as both a unit of analysis in international politics and as a variable (Moens 56). Realists, in fact, consider power the most important factor; Idealist and Liberal theorists, as noted above, recognize its prominent role in the global equation even while assigning equal importance to other actors as well. As a consequence of this near-universal recognition of power as a unit of analysis, it is a useful tool for theorists of international politics, providing at least one common ground for debate in a field of other variables hotly debated vis-a-vis validity and practical use. This usefulness becomes immediately apparent when one reviews the definition of power and some of its characteristic value factors.
Power is defined as the positive and negative exercise of influence (Moens 56). Noted in the previous paragraph, power is a commodity; as such it is a resource that derives its value from factors related to quantity, use and the perception of others (Moens 57-61).
Quantitatively, power is traditionally conceived in terms of military strength: the Roman legions, the Soviet missile arsenal, the Nazi juggernaut, et al. A strong state has large military resources, a weak state does not. Even while saying that, however, one recognizes that as far back as classical times there were other quantitative measures of power. The Phoenicians, for example, exerted a recognizable influence upon the activities of other Mediterranean states as a result of their position in the late Bronze Age trade cycle; this influence can be considered a manifestation of power. Modern Japan holds the same power position in world affairs - more powerful, in fact, as a result of being more deliberate - dictating econo...