Superpower

Superpower describes a state or supranational union that holds a dominant position characterized by the ability to exert influence or project power on a global scale.[1][2][3] This is done through the combined means of economic, military, technological, political, and cultural strength as well as diplomatic and soft power influence. Traditionally, superpowers are preeminent among the great powers. While a great power state is capable of exerting its influence globally, superpowers are states so influential that no significant action can be taken by the global community without first considering the positions of the superpowers on the issue.[4]

In 1944, during World War II, the term was first applied to the United States, the British Empire, and the Soviet Union.[5] During the Cold War, the British Empire dissolved, leaving the United States and the Soviet Union to dominate world affairs. At the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States became the world's sole superpower, a position sometimes referred to as that of a "hyperpower".[6][7][8] Since the late 2010s and into the 2020s, China has been described as an emerging superpower or even an established one,[9][10][11][12][13] like the United States, as China poses "the most significant challenge of any nation-state in the world to the United States".[14][15][16][Note 1]

  1. ^ Munro, André. "superpower". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  2. ^ Leonard, Mark (18 February 2005). "Europe: the new superpower". Irish Times. Archived from the original on 27 March 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  3. ^ McCormick, John (2007). The European Superpower. Palgrave Macmillan.
  4. ^ Munro, André. "superpower (Political Science)". britannica. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  5. ^ Hall, H. Duncan (October 1944). "The Super-Powers; The United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union—Their Responsibility for Peace. By William T. R. Fox. (New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company. 1944. Pp. 162. $2.00.)". American Political Science Review. 38 (5). cambridge.org: 1013–1015. doi:10.2307/1949612. JSTOR 1949612. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  6. ^ Bremer, Ian (May 28, 2015). "These Are the 5 Reasons Why the U.S. Remains the World's Only Superpower". Time.
  7. ^ Nossal, Kim Richard. Lonely Superpower or Unapologetic Hyperpower? Analyzing American Power in the post–Cold War Era. Biennial meeting, South African Political Studies Association, 29 June-2 July 1999. Archived from the original on 2012-08-07. Retrieved 2007-02-28.
  8. ^ From Colony to Superpower: U.S. Foreign Relations since 1776 (Published 2008), by Professor George C. Herring (Professor of History at Kentucky University)
  9. ^ "The Debate - Macron in the middle? French president in China amid superpower showdown". France 24. 2023-04-05. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
  10. ^ Bekkevold, Jo Inge. "Why China Is Not a Superpower". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
  11. ^ Schuman, Michael (2020-10-05). "What Happens When China Leads the World". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
  12. ^ Simon, Kuper. "There are only two global superpowers left". Financial Times.
  13. ^ Eaglen, Mackenzie. "It's Time to Retire the Term "Near-Peer" Competitor When It Comes to China". AEI.
  14. ^ Mauldin, William; Gordon, Michael R. (January 20, 2021). "Blinken Backs Tough Approach to China, Says Will Work With GOP". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  15. ^ "The China Threat". Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  16. ^ Olivia Gazis, Caitlin Yilek (March 8, 2023). "China "most consequential threat" to U.S. national security, top intelligence official says". CBS News. Retrieved November 22, 2021.


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