From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the mathematical operator, see
Tetration.
A hyperpower is a state that is militarily, economically and technologically dominant on the world stage. The Roman Empire,[1][2][3] the British Empire,[4][5][6] the Achaemenid Persian Empire[7], and Ancient China[8] are considered to be the most potent examples of previous hyperpowers.[9] In academic international relations literature, the term hegemony is much more common. In a modern context, it is used to describe the United States.[10][11][12][13]
[edit] Origin
After the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, some political commentators felt that a new term was needed to describe the United States' position as the lone superpower. Ben Wattenberg coined the term "omnipower" in 1990 and Peregrine Worsthorne used the term "hyper-power" on June 8, 1991. French Foreign Minister Hubert Védrine popularized the term "hyperpower" in his various criticisms of the United States beginning in 1998.[14]
[edit] Popular Culture
- Nine Inch Nails named the first track of their politically inspired album Year Zero "Hyperpower". The concept album is set in a near-future dystopian United States.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] Sources
- "To Paris, U.S. Looks Like a 'Hyperpower'". The International Herald Tribune. February 5, 1999. http://www.iht.com/articles/1999/02/05/france.t_0.php. Retrieved on August 20, 2006.
- "Lonely Superpower or Unapologetic Hyperpower? Analyzing American Power in the Post-Cold War Era". Paper for presentation at the biennial meetings of the South African Political Studies Association Saldanha, Western Cape. 29 June-2 July 1999. http://post.queensu.ca/~nossalk/papers/hyperpower.htm. Retrieved on February 28, 2007.
- Ferguson, Niall (September/October 2003). "Hegemony or Empire?". Council on Foreign Relations, Inc.. http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20030901fareviewessay82512/niall-ferguson/hegemony-or-empire.html. Retrieved on 2006-09-15.
- Last, Jonathan (October 21, 2005). "Rule America?". The Weekly Standard (News America Incorporated). http://www.weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=6200. Retrieved on 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 on 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
