Great Powers
Europe's ruling states
Great Powers, when capitalized, typically refers to the specific group of dominant nations in a particular historical period, especially the major European states of the 19th and early 20th centuries: Britain, France, Prussia/Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia.
The Great Powers met at the Congress of Vienna to redraw Europe's map.
The capitalization signals a formal or historical designation rather than a general description. (Lowercase great powers is the generic term for dominant nations.)
Multiple competing power centers
- bipolarityTwo-pole condition
- sphere of influenceZone of dominant authority
- Cold WarProlonged East-West standoff
- WestphalianFrom northwest German region
realpolitik · proxy wars · arms race · non-alignment · territorial disputes · expansionism · colonialism · imperialism
Formal unions for cooperation
- treatiesFormal agreements between states
- summitsHighest elevations or conferences
- statecraftArt of government
- negotiationsFormal discussion seeking agreement
envoys · ambassadors · mediation · arbitration · international law · United Nations · security council · NATO
Superior influence over others
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- preeminenceSuperior status above others
- primacyCondition of being foremost
- ascendancyDominant power or influence
command · control · overlordship · imperium · Pax Americana · world order · hierarchy · subordination
Sharing practices between peoples
- economic aidFinancial support for nations
- sanctionsPunitive international restrictions
- embargoesRestrictions on international commerce
- foreign policyInternational relations strategy
propaganda · coercion · leverage · prestige · client states · patronage · dependency · trade agreements
Stockpile of atomic bombs
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- capabilityPower to accomplish tasks
- superiorityHigher rank or quality
armament · missiles · ICBM · warheads · triad · aircraft carriers · defense spending · conscription
multipolarity
Multiple competing power centers
- bipolarityTwo-pole condition
- sphere of influenceZone of dominant authority
- Cold WarProlonged East-West standoff
Westphalian · realpolitik · proxy wars · arms race · non-alignment · territorial disputes · expansionism · colonialism · imperialism · nation-state
alliances
Formal unions for cooperation
- treatiesFormal agreements between states
- summitsHighest elevations or conferences
- statecraftArt of government
negotiations · envoys · ambassadors · mediation · arbitration · international law · United Nations · security council · NATO · G7
dominance
Superior influence over others
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- preeminenceSuperior status above others
- primacyCondition of being foremost
ascendancy · command · control · overlordship · imperium · Pax Americana · world order · hierarchy · subordination · vassalage
cultural exchange
Sharing practices between peoples
- economic aidFinancial support for nations
- sanctionsPunitive international restrictions
- embargoesRestrictions on international commerce
foreign policy · propaganda · coercion · leverage · prestige · client states · patronage · dependency · trade agreements · development aid
nuclear arsenal
Stockpile of atomic bombs
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- capabilityPower to accomplish tasks
superiority · armament · missiles · ICBM · warheads · triad · aircraft carriers · defense spending · conscription · military bases
Great Powersmicrostates
Extremely small sovereign nations
client states · vassal states · satellite states · buffer states · failed states
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