multipolarity
Several dominant nations
Multipolarity describes an international system where power is distributed among several major states or blocs rather than concentrated in one (unipolarity) or two (bipolarity).
The term gained currency after the Cold War as analysts debated whether American dominance would give way to a world shaped by multiple powers: The rise of China and India signals a shift toward multipolarity.
Equal distribution of influence
- hegemonyDominant group's control
- spheres of influenceAreas of dominant authority
- great powersInternationally dominant nation-states
- superpowersCapabilities beyond human limits
regional powers · power vacuum · realpolitik · statecraft · sovereignty · international relations · diplomatic relations · territorial disputes
Formal union of parties
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- treatyBinding pact between nations
- partnershipShared business arrangement
- multilateralismMulti-party international cooperation
dialogue · accord · entente · consensus · collaboration · negotiation · mediation · peacebuilding
Coexistence of differing views
- heterogeneityState of being dissimilar
- decentralizationDistributing power from center
- diffusionPassive molecular spreading
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
distribution · dispersion · spectrum · multifaceted · diversification · BRICS · Global South
Ongoing contest between opponents
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- tensionStretched or strained state
- conflictOpposition between parties
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
hostility · antagonism · contention · struggle · opposition · clash · dispute · power struggle
balance of power
Equal distribution of influence
- hegemonyDominant group's control
- spheres of influenceAreas of dominant authority
- great powersInternationally dominant nation-states
superpowers · regional powers · power vacuum · realpolitik · statecraft · sovereignty · international relations · diplomatic relations · territorial disputes · proxy wars
alliance
Formal union of parties
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- treatyBinding pact between nations
- partnershipShared business arrangement
multilateralism · dialogue · accord · entente · consensus · collaboration · negotiation · mediation · peacebuilding · reconciliation
pluralism
Coexistence of differing views
- heterogeneityState of being dissimilar
- decentralizationDistributing power from center
- diffusionPassive molecular spreading
fragmentation · distribution · dispersion · spectrum · multifaceted · diversification · BRICS · Global South
rivalry
Ongoing contest between opponents
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- tensionStretched or strained state
- conflictOpposition between parties
friction · hostility · antagonism · contention · struggle · opposition · clash · dispute · power struggle · arms race
- geopoliticsbalance of power, bloc, blocs, brinkmanship, buffer state
- Non-AlignmentNon-Aligned Movement, non-alignment, nonalignment, neutralism, Bandung Conference
- Realpolitikbalance of power, national interest, power politics, statecraft, geopolitics
multipolarityPax Americana
US-backed international stability
unilateralism · hyperpower · primacy · hegemony · centralized power
polar, polarization, polarity, multipolar, polarities, bipolarity, depolarize, polarizations, magnetic pole