A hyperpower is a state that dominates all other states in every sphere of activity. A hyperpower is traditionally considered to be one step higher than a superpower. The definition and use of the term varies.
It has been suggested that the Roman Empire, Ancient China, the Mongol Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Achaemenid Empire [1] and even Napoleonic France (during Napoleon) and Franks under Charlemagne and Macedonia (ancient kingdom) (under Alexander the Great) could qualify as both countries where superior (in general power) over nearby countries or lands, could qualify as hyperpowers. In academic international relations literature, the term hegemony is much more common.
In a modern context, hyperpower has been used to describe the United States' position as the lone superpower since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991[2][3][4]. However, superpower generally remains the preferred term.[5]
[edit] Origin
After the end of the Cold War, American political commentators felt that a new term was needed to describe the United States' position as the lone superpower.[6]
The term "hyper-power" was first used in 1991 by Peregrine Worsthorne. French Minister Hubert Védrine popularized the term "hyperpower" in 1998.[7]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] Sources
- "To Paris, U.S. Looks Like a 'Hyperpower'". The International Herald Tribune. February 5, 1999. Archived from the original on October 26, 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20061026003700/http://www.iht.com/articles/1999/02/05/france.t_0.php. Retrieved August 20, 2006.
- Last, Jonathan (October 21, 2005). "Rule America?". The Weekly Standard (News America Incorporated). Archived from the original on 2007-03-11. http://web.archive.org/web/20070311132645/http://www.weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=6200. Retrieved 2006-09-15.
- Védrine, Hubert. France in an Age of Globalization, Brookings Institution Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8157-0007-5
- "Word Spy - hyper-power". http://www.wordspy.com/words/hyper-power.asp. Retrieved 2006-09-15.
- Li, Bo; Zheng Yin (Chinese) (2001) 5000 years of Chinese history, Inner Mongolian People's publishing corp , ISBN 7-204-04420-7
