ABSTRACT
The behavior of states in the international system is largely determined by the power relations and differentials among them. The main characteristic of weak states is, their lack of power or strength, and hence they are continuously preoccupied with the question of survival. Jacques Rapaport differentiates the mini-states from the weak states by setting an upper limit of one million inhabitants. Moving in the other direction and using most of the same categories, one does not always find such striking differences between the great powers and the middle powers. On certain criteria, in fact, the middle powers score as high as the great powers. The middle powers are not necessarily smaller in territorial size or population than the great powers. Historically, the super and great powers have been the great military powers, with the exception of China. Although China was very weak militarily, she still could not be completely subdued because of her large population and territory.
