Even when not at war in a military sense, countries are generally engaged in a struggle for economic power and players in the international system are increasingly regarding the health of their economies as a priority. Despite the Cold War having long ended, the primacy of insecurity - the infinite striving for security - has not. It is presently manifested in both economic and psychological realms, as countries seek to increase economic competitiveness and to reduce unemployment within their borders.
Historically, the goal was to secure and extend the physical control of territory, and to gain diplomatic influence over foreign governments. Today's corresponding geoeconomic goal is not to attain the highest possible standard of living, but rather the conquest and protection of desirable roles in the global economy.
There will be long-term (perhaps permanent) 'winners' and 'losers' in today's battle for the system's power positions, with the spoils of victory including; industrial supremacy, technology and information leadership, and the economic capacity to sustain a modern military. The losing states, on the other hand, will face the problems resulting from reduced fiscal resources, reduced economic growth and a smaller economic pie, permanent relegation to the ranks of 'the resource extraction/branch plant/cash-crop economies', second-rate technology and information systems, and a lack of the economic means to escape the poverty cycle.
Tagged under Governance