Scientific progress and economic growth can on their own be considered as power. Though scientific progress seems to spur economic growth more. Given that globally today, scientific progress and economic growth are unevenly distributed, the privileged countries have disproportionate influence over others with regard to decision making.
With the alliance between the two some countries gain power and influence as other loose it, the 21st century has seen a different dimension of power from the direct to a subtler indirect control, around the elements of culture, trade and capital resources flow (Kotter, 2010).
Scientific progress for instance gives countries an edge over those that do not have it, in terms of trade and capital flow, it allows a country to export more of technology earning them lots of money to be able to grow their own economies. Nations with remarkable scientific progress and good economies are able to win allies from nations that struggle, this in some cases results in indirect benefits such as having partners to vote along the same lines when it comes to global decision making, building oversees army bases, obtaining raw materials for your products at a relatively cheaper price which are all aspects of power (Olson, 2008).
Nations striving to be powerful have shifted focus from military power to scientific progress and growing their economies and gaining economic power. An example is medical research and the Covid 19 global pandemic, countries are currently able to manufacture own vaccines are considered powerful with those without such technology typically at their mercies. Major economies are currently able to lend to other nations and win allies while further growing their economies. As much as military power is still a major factor in the pursuit for power, most countries have previously perfected their militaries, with scientific research coming in to bolster their military strengths (Posen, 1993).