This leads us to a critical subtlety, which is that Standard Power is defined as the skill of using standards to build fresh geopolitical leverage, not as the ability to use heavy-headed tactics to push through otherwise-ineffectual technicalities. For instance, China has been warned that its aggressive pursuit of indigenous technological standards could lead it to suffer from a “Galapagos Island Syndrome” that risks isolating it from global markets regardless of how adamantly its norms are pressed upon foreigners.

Lest one believe China is the only country at risk of isolating itself, however, it is worth noting that the US too has been playing with fire of late. FAA plans to develop a Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), for example, have been heavily criticized for risking incompatibility with foreign modernization efforts in the same field. Likewise, signs of collaboration between Europe and China are growing and could very well leave the United States out in the cold on issues ranging from 5G telecommunications to advanced manufacturing.

In other words, it’s still far from clear who will win the war for standards in the 21st century--and that is precisely what will make Standard Power so worthy of attention going forward.

Andrew D. Bishop is a Senior Analyst in the Global Macro practice at Eurasia Group, a leading political risk consultancy.

Image: Flickr/JeepersMedia