bipolarity
Opposite extremes coexisting
Bipolarity is the condition of having two poles or extremes.
In geopolitics, it describes a world order dominated by two superpowers: Cold War bipolarity between the US and Soviet Union.
In psychology, it refers to the presence of bipolar disorder—cycling between manic and depressive states.
The word emphasizes opposition or alternation between two distinct conditions.
Long sticks or extremities
- oppositesTerms with contrary meanings
- dichotomyDivision into contrasting parts
- binaryConsisting of two parts
- dualismPhilosophy of opposed pairs
antithesis · yin-yang · extremes · contrast · spectrum · tension · oscillation · ambivalence
Abnormally elevated, agitated
- depressiveCausing or feeling dejection
- maniaIntense, consuming obsession
- depressionProlonged low state
- hypomaniaMild manic state
cyclothymia · lithium · euphoria · despair · dysthymia · episodes · diagnosis · treatment
Separation into opposing extremes
- partisanshipLoyalty to one faction
- divisionSplitting into parts
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
- schismFormal organizational fracture
extremism · radicalization · discord · sectarianism · alienation · ideological · intransigence · tribalism
Separated opposite charges
- attractionPull toward something
- repulsionDisgust or pushing-away force
- magnetismForce between poles
- fieldArea of specialty
flux · ferromagnetism · lodestone · electromagnet · magnetite · neodymium · induction · reversal
poles
Long sticks or extremities
- oppositesTerms with contrary meanings
- dichotomyDivision into contrasting parts
- binaryConsisting of two parts
dualism · antithesis · yin-yang · extremes · contrast · spectrum · tension · oscillation · ambivalence · coexistence
manic
Abnormally elevated, agitated
- depressiveCausing or feeling dejection
- maniaIntense, consuming obsession
- depressionProlonged low state
hypomania · cyclothymia · lithium · euphoria · despair · dysthymia · episodes · diagnosis · treatment · medication
polarization
Separation into opposing extremes
- partisanshipLoyalty to one faction
- divisionSplitting into parts
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
schism · extremism · radicalization · discord · sectarianism · alienation · ideological · intransigence · tribalism · gridlock
dipole
Separated opposite charges
- attractionPull toward something
- repulsionDisgust or pushing-away force
- magnetismForce between poles
field · flux · ferromagnetism · lodestone · electromagnet · magnetite · neodymium · induction · reversal · compass
superpower
Dominant nation or magical ability
blocs · alignment · non-aligned · rivalry · deterrence
- foreign policydiplomacy, diplomatic negotiations, sanctions, containment, deterrence
- geopoliticsbalance of power, bloc, blocs, brinkmanship, buffer state
- Cold War OriginsIron Curtain, Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, Berlin Blockade, Berlin Airlift
- Cold WarBerlin Wall, Iron Curtain, arms race, Warsaw Pact, Cuban Missile Crisis
- Realpolitikbalance of power, national interest, power politics, statecraft, geopolitics
bipolaritystability
Resistance to displacement
emotional stability · equanimity · evenness · steadiness · balance
bipolaritymonopolarity
Single-pole characteristic
multipolarity · neutrality · uniformity · unity · singularity
bipolaritymultipolarity
Multiple competing power centers
Pax Americana · hegemony · multilateralism · power vacuum · anarchy
pole, polar, polarity, biannual, bipolar, biped, multipolar, unipolar, polarities