A "power" measure or indicator?

Further comments on Ian Castles’ article “Measuring China’s size and power”, 10/05/2009, http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2009/05/10/measuring-chinas-size-and-power-correctly/

Further to my comments yesterday, it seems that there is a need to develop some measures or indicators of "power", for an more informed and transparent 21st century. It will be much more difficult, but if developed they will be very useful and helpful.

I think any such measures are likely to be a combination of a number of different sub-indicators. Potential sub-indicators might include: economic indicators such as GDP, trade; demographic indicators such as population and man power indicators; wealth indicators such as financial and physical assets; natural endowment indicators such as land and mineral reserves; social stability indicators; military and intelligence indicators; and so on. One could also develop some dynamic indicators. In the end, one may not necessarily need so many sub-indicators, maybe a handful will serve most purposes.

I remember some people in China in the past (maybe still now) used the term comprehensive/composite national power, although I don’t know what they meant and what they included in that.