An excellent analisys by Zraver posted elsewhere in this forum:
The current international classification of lesser, middle, greater, and super powers is to limited. I fall into the camp that adds a new catagory- hyper power. This divides the world in to 5 categories that are more objectively compared with one another.
The term Hyperpower was coined in France.
To Paris, U.S. Looks Like a 'Hyperpower' - International Herald Tribune
Placing the US into the Hyper Power catagory means the term Superpower can be more readily ascribed to several factions who quite frankly by themselves have more power than any nation in history before 1945.
Hyperpower
Global conventional ground force projection, hegemonic power in at least 1 of these 5 broad areas: Cultural-Economic/Industrial-Energy-Military-Political, and all super power categories.
USA*Dominant in 4 hegemonic areas: Cultural, Economic/Industry, Military, and Political.
Superpower(having all of the following)
1 trillion USD economy (actual) not PPP
100,000,000 population base or greater.
Credible space program.
Blue water capable navy.
Nuclear weapons.
P5 seat on the UN Security Council.
Modern air force and aerospace industry.
Russia Has near hegemonic energy influence over Europe.
China Rapidly becoming an non-military industrial hegemon.
India
EU
India and the EU are emerging/potential Superpowers with potential hegemonic traits like the Euro (Economic) and Bollywood(culture).
Great Powers (most of the above list- within 1-2 categories)
England (-Population)* Eventually faces loss of P5 seat to EU if the EU federalizes. -1
France (-Population)*Eventually faces loss of P5 seat to EU if the EU federalizes. -1
Germany (Nukes, P5 Seat) -2
Japan (Nukes, P5 Seat) -2
India (P5 seat)* India is a P5 contender. -2
Brazil (Nukes, P5 Seat)* Brazil is a P5 contender. -2
Middle Powers (missing 3-6)
South Korea (Nukes, P5 Seat, Population) -3
Pakistan (Blue Water Navy, Economy, P5 Seat) -3
Iran (Nukes, Blue Water Navy, Population, Economy, P5 Seat)-4
Israel (Blue Water Navy, Population, Economy, -P5 Seat) -4
Mexico (Space program, Aerospace Industry, Nukes, Blue Water Navy, P5 seat) -5
Taiwan (Nukes, P5 Seat, Population, Space program, Economy) -5
Ukraine (Nukes, Population, P5 Seat, Blue Water Navy, Economy) -5
Egypt (Nukes, Population, P5 Seat, Blue Water Navy, Economy, Space program) -6
Turkey (Nukes, Blue Water Navy, Population, Economy, P5 seat, Space program) -6
Lesser Powers (are missing 7 or more of the categories)
South Africa *destroyed existing nuclear weapons.
Categories
Blue Water Capable Navy, having a naval force capable of acting in a decisive manner far from the nations own shores (1000Km plus) with frigate sized or larger warships.
Credible Space Program, having launched at least one sophisticated commercial, scientific, or military satellite and having a dedicated space agency.
Global Ground Force Projection, being able to sustain 1/4 million military personnel (collective) outside the nations border for a significant period of time measured in years.
Hegemonic Power, being the single most import actor in a given area, one that the rest of the world generally conforms to (soft power) or fears/aligns with (hard power).
Modern Air force and Aerospace Industry, having at least 4th generation fighters and the ability to produce at least some sort of jet powered or rotary winged aircraft.
Nuclear Weapons, having a credible deterrent force of weaponized nuclear devices and delivery systems.
Trillion Dollar Economy, having a real GDP of at least 1 trillion US dollars, not measured in PPP. This is likely to change to the Euro at some point as that currency continues its ascendant rise.
P5 Seat, having a seat on the permanent UN Security Council.
Notes
Nations are not judged by areas where they still lag behind (down points) but by up points. Thus things like access to health care, literacy, homelessness etc are not factors in the rankings. Only those things that can be objectively compared to other states and that are in or can be considered to be in direct competition to other states are considered.
http://www.defence.pk/forums/global-military-defence/8037-international-power-rankings.html