great power
Dominant world nation
A great power is a nation with dominant military, economic, and diplomatic influence on the international stage.
The term emerged in European statecraft to describe countries capable of projecting force globally and shaping world affairs: Britain was the preeminent great power of the nineteenth century.
Today it typically refers to the United States, China, Russia, and a handful of others.
The related term superpower denotes even greater dominance.
Dominant group's control
- realpolitikPolitics prioritizing practicality over ethics
- statecraftArt of government
- international relationsCross-border political interactions
- world orderArrangement of international power
multipolarity · bipolarity · sphere of influence · Cold War · diplomacy · alliances · treaties · territorial
Highest rank or power
- ascendancyDominant power or influence
- predominanceSuperior influence or control
- imperialismExtending dominion over others
- colonialismDomination through foreign settlement
empire · subjugation · overlordship · annexation · conquest · vassal · tributary · protectorate
Informal power or punch
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- swayRock back and forth
- prestigeReputation commanding admiration
- credibilityQuality inspiring trust
coercion · persuasion · sanctions · pressure · lobbying · propaganda · cultural influence · economic leverage
Stockpile of atomic bombs
- UNSCTop UN enforcement body
- G7Leading economies' summit group
- G20Top economies' coordination body
- NATOWestern defense organization
deterrence · USA · Soviet Union · China · Russia · aircraft carrier · ICBM · nuclear triad
Responsible care of entrusted things
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- obligationRequired task or commitment
- guardianshipLegal care of another
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
custodianship · duty · leadership · burden · restraint · humanitarian · peacekeeping · multilateralism
hegemony
Dominant group's control
- realpolitikPolitics prioritizing practicality over ethics
- statecraftArt of government
- international relationsCross-border political interactions
world order · multipolarity · bipolarity · sphere of influence · Cold War · diplomacy · alliances · treaties · territorial · nation-state
supremacy
Highest rank or power
- ascendancyDominant power or influence
- predominanceSuperior influence or control
- imperialismExtending dominion over others
colonialism · empire · subjugation · overlordship · annexation · conquest · vassal · tributary · protectorate · mandate
clout
Informal power or punch
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- swayRock back and forth
- prestigeReputation commanding admiration
credibility · coercion · persuasion · sanctions · pressure · lobbying · propaganda · cultural influence · economic leverage · deterrence
nuclear arsenal
Stockpile of atomic bombs
NATO · deterrence · USA · Soviet Union · China · Russia · aircraft carrier · ICBM · nuclear triad · defense spending
stewardship
Responsible care of entrusted things
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- obligationRequired task or commitment
- guardianshipLegal care of another
oversight · custodianship · duty · leadership · burden · restraint · humanitarian · peacekeeping · multilateralism · intervention
- geopoliticsbipolarity, bloc, blocs, brinkmanship, buffer state
- political entitiesnation, state, country, kingdom, republic
- powerauthority, potency, energy, hydropower, horsepower
great powermicrostate
Tiny country or particle configuration
failed state · client state · satellite state · developing nation · regional power
great powervassal state
Subordinate territory owing allegiance
puppet state · client state · satellite state · protectorate · colony
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