Resumen
The relative advantages of the nations at the top of the international hierarchy are never constant, the reasons being in particular related to the uneven rhythm of development of the various societies. This rhythm is correlated with technological and organizational advances, which offers a great advantage to certain societies in relation to others. In this context, international economic relations, any kind of exchanges between countries, have influenced the rise and fall of the world?s states power. History proves that the great powers have managed to maintain their status as long as they have been in the center of the world trade.