These variables are indicators of the foreign policy assertiveness of Great Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, and the United States. Assertiveness is defined as the magnitude and intensity of actions by a nation to influence the foreign environment. The following indicators are considered to reflect a nation's changing assertiveness: the number of active duty naval personnel, the number of military personnel in foreign areas, the number of military attaches stationed abroad, and the number of diplomatic, consular, and other civilian government officials posted abroad. Percentage changes in those indicators are considered to reflect the relative foreign policy assertiveness of the six nations. The variables span the period from 1815 to 2005, but the coverage varies with each country.
