Difference between revisions of "Superpower"
(Reason for the change: "xenophobia" is a strong fear of ALL foreigners; the problems in Europe are much more specific than this, and are not so universal.) |
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'''Superpower''' refers to a very powerful [[country]] in the global spectrum, often the head of a diplomatic or military [[alliance]]. The term '''hegemon''' is also sometimes used. | '''Superpower''' refers to a very powerful [[country]] in the global spectrum, often the head of a diplomatic or military [[alliance]]. The term '''hegemon''' is also sometimes used. | ||
| − | In modern times, the [[British Empire]] was the world's first superpower, ruling a quarter of the world during a period of 150 years. It declined in power after the [[Second World War]], during which it expended much of its resources to fight the [[Axis Powers]]. | + | In modern times, the [[British Empire]] was the world's first superpower, ruling a quarter of the world during a period of 150 years. It declined in power after the [[Second World War]], during which it expended much of its resources to fight the [[Axis Powers]]. Another contributing factor was the loss of preferential trade with overseas colonies as they gradually gained their independence around the same time as the Second World War. |
Throughout the [[Cold War]], the [[United States]] and the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics]] were considered the only two superpowers. After the implosion of the USSR in 1991, America emerged as the world's lone superpower, and is to this day the only country to fulfill the criteria of that definition; [[China]], [[India]], [[Brazil]], [[Russia]] are however considered to possess the ''potential'' of obtaining superpower status in the course of the 21st Century. At this time, strong antipathies between some its members and the lack of a common foreign policy, let alone a real political unity prevents the [[European Union]] from achieving anything close to Superpower status. | Throughout the [[Cold War]], the [[United States]] and the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics]] were considered the only two superpowers. After the implosion of the USSR in 1991, America emerged as the world's lone superpower, and is to this day the only country to fulfill the criteria of that definition; [[China]], [[India]], [[Brazil]], [[Russia]] are however considered to possess the ''potential'' of obtaining superpower status in the course of the 21st Century. At this time, strong antipathies between some its members and the lack of a common foreign policy, let alone a real political unity prevents the [[European Union]] from achieving anything close to Superpower status. | ||
Revision as of 05:11, June 2, 2010
Superpower refers to a very powerful country in the global spectrum, often the head of a diplomatic or military alliance. The term hegemon is also sometimes used.
In modern times, the British Empire was the world's first superpower, ruling a quarter of the world during a period of 150 years. It declined in power after the Second World War, during which it expended much of its resources to fight the Axis Powers. Another contributing factor was the loss of preferential trade with overseas colonies as they gradually gained their independence around the same time as the Second World War.
Throughout the Cold War, the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics were considered the only two superpowers. After the implosion of the USSR in 1991, America emerged as the world's lone superpower, and is to this day the only country to fulfill the criteria of that definition; China, India, Brazil, Russia are however considered to possess the potential of obtaining superpower status in the course of the 21st Century. At this time, strong antipathies between some its members and the lack of a common foreign policy, let alone a real political unity prevents the European Union from achieving anything close to Superpower status.