The strong country I mean is a country that is able to protect and prosper its people, and is able to provide assistance and influence to regional countries politically, economically or militarily. Indeed, a country's territory, natural resources, and population also need to be considered. But in this post, I want to highlight the five main pillars for becoming a strong country, namely:
- Political maturity and stability.
- Legal certainty and supremacy.
- Money / economic power.
- Mastery of high technology.
- Strong and self-sufficient military.
Pillar no. 1: Political Maturity and Stability.
This is the core which will provide the basis for building the next pillars. A country that is busy with political instability, domestic conflicts, riots, rebellions, military coups, will NEVER become a strong country. Their resources, time and minds are drained just because of power struggles. Like walking in place, no steps forward, always starting from zero.
Note: consciously or not, a country must be wary of foreign influences that want to disrupt domestic political stability.
Pillar no. 2: Legal Certainty and Supremacy.
This is a very important pillar after political stability. No investor wants to take the risk to invest in a chaotic country politically and legally. Business risk calculation is one of the guidelines for investors. The jungle law will occur without legal supremacy. The stronger is the winner. People live in uncertainty is a terrible situation.
Pillar no. 3: Money / Economic Power.
Imagine if you don't have money, then there isn't much you can do, right? After political stability and legal certainty is achieved, then it becomes the basis for a country's economic activities to generate income and foreign exchange. Factory activities, trade in goods and services, capital market, tourism, etc., step by step will generate economic power. After you have a lot of money, then you have the potential to develop the next pillar (no. 4 and 5).
Note: perhaps the United States is targeting this pillar through a trade war against China.
Pillar no. 4: Mastery Of High Technology.
There is an idiom that says a country that masters in high science and technology will dominate the world. Please find out who is in control of chip technology, which is the brain for sophisticated high-tech devices, hypersonic weapons, stealth fighters, nuclear weapons, space satellite launches (including spy satellites), satellite constellations that determine coordinates on earth (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou), artificial intelligence, quantum computing, 5G technology, etc.
It needs a lot of talented and intelligent people to build this pillar. Therefore, a country that owns them, appreciates them, provides proper salary and facilities for them, is a candidate for a strong state. This is a long-term investment whose results are not immediately visible tomorrow, but it is very important. Research in science requires money and time in the long term. However, there are many wrong mindsets that want immediate results without bothering to do research and development. If so, then that country is just a user / follower, not the creators / master of technology.
Note: perhaps that is why the United States is always trying to block China from mastering high-tech chips.
Pillar no. 5: Strong and Self-sufficient Military.
The self-sufficient military in question is having money and technology needed to produce sophisticated military weaponry and equipment without much dependence on other countries. The military strength in question is more related to the quality and quantity of personnel, warships, warplanes, tanks and other military weaponry and equipment. A country can build this pillar if it has enough money (pillar no. 3) and masters in technology (pillar no. 4).
All of that is my viewpoint written in commoner's sentences and straightforward. The most important question from me is what are your next intentions after becoming a strong country? Does it bring peace and prosperity together with countries in the region? Or entering the game of thrones? That's the most important question, considering that the natural human ego is to want to be seen as more than others, and is reluctant to be rivaled.
Photo by Hert Niks: https://www.pexels.com/photo/low-angle-photo-of-columns-and-pillars-3224232/
we have no single one at all...
ReplyDeletesad, but real
Hi Tanza Erlambang, feels like you are so pessimistic. It is true that we have not yet achieve the five pillars 100 percent until now. But we must not ignore the positive progress that is underway so far, especially for pillar no. 3. Being a member of G20 is also a form of recognition. That means we keep moving forward, not walking in place. For pillar no. 4 & 5, I think that is still a very long way to go.
Deleteeconomic size is measured by GDP.... then, GDP belongs to whom?
DeleteI'm a bit confused by your question. If you mean GDP is as the economic measurement formula, I think it was first developed by Simon Kuznets.
DeleteIf you mean who is the beneficiary of gross domestic product growth? I think of all economic actors (producers, traders, workers, government) in that country, minus the lazy people.
powerful elite people...certain people only.....
DeleteThat's the matter.
DeleteAn inspiring post, easy to understand. Btw, does political ideology also play a role?
ReplyDeleteHi Ross,
ReplyDeleteIt is like the question: "What is the best religion?"
Dalai Lama answered: "The best religion is the one that makes you close to God. Whatever makes you more compassionate, more sensible, more detached, more loving, more humanitarian, more responsive, more ethical. The religion that will do that for you is the best religion."
Deng Xiaoping ever said: "No matter if it is a white cat or a black cat; as long as it can catch mice, it is a good cat."
So, whether it is monarchy, socialism, democracy or liberalism, the key is the statesmanship spirit of their political elites who are able to protect, prosper and prioritize the interests of the people.
Please find out how many countries adhering to democratic system but unstable politically and economically. On the other hand, the socialist system is widely labeled as the cause of economic backwardness. But look at China and Vietnam.
One example; India is a democratic country that has the potential to become developed country, but religious conflicts are still reported in the media. A unique model: Indonesia is based on Pancasila ideology (neither liberal nor socialist) but acknowledged as G20 member and the new emerging power in Asia.
I hope Malaysia will become stronger day after day...
ReplyDeleteHi Abam Kie, I support your hopes. However, real action from political elites is needed. May your country Malaysia continue to move forward.
DeleteI definitely agree with your points of view about pillars of strong country and I think education is important too, suitable curriculum and quality teacher would make good
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with you. A country needs to build the qualified educational institutions to educate their young generation, to produce skilled, intelligent, and qualified young people. That's the best way to build pillar no. 4.
DeleteHere is the list of university ranking by academic performance.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_Ranking_by_Academic_Performance
Just look, in which country the university is located.
what about five pillars in life?
ReplyDeleteYour question is a little out of context. Everyone has their own preference.
DeleteBut, okay, I'll answer based on my personal preference: 1) God's blessing. 2) Health. 3) Love (from family or spouse). 4) Honesty and commitment. 5) Skill / ability.
I agree 🙂
ReplyDelete