Its a very common term used in our media. Today it refers to Uncle SAM and opponents of USA don’t agree to it by one way or other.
Who coined this term?
What have been the criteria for being Super power? Which dynasties or countries in history could meet this criteria?
Re: Super powers
The Great Briton was a super power................
Re: Super powers
The Great Briton was a super power................
What were the basis of this power and how it loses this position?
Re: Super powers
What were the basis of this power and how it loses this position?
The basis of British power was technological and industrial superiority over every other nation in the world at that time. And the main reason it lost that position was World War II.
However, I think even without that war, Britain would have eventually lost that position anyway.
Re: Super powers
The basis of British power was technological and industrial superiority over every other nation in the world at that time. And the main reason it lost that position was World War II.
However, I think even without that war, Britain would have eventually lost that position anyway.
True. Nothing is permanent.
is to only technological advancement or something else too that make a nation super power. Japan and China are doing good in technological fields, but they are never termed as super powers.
Re: Super powers
The basis of superpower status is the economy. Throughout history, the strength of a nation's economy was directly related to its military strength.
Re: Super powers
The basis of superpower status is the economy. Throughout history, the strength of a nation's economy was directly related to its military strength.
You mean invading military that could snatch wealth from weaker nations?
Re: Super powers
You mean invading military that could snatch wealth from weaker nations?
Sometimes, not always.
Sometimes, economic strength led to military strength which led to being able to invade weaker countries which led to more economic strength which led to more military strength.
These tended to be the short-lived superpowers, as their power would wane and decline once they could no longer conquer more nations.
The long-term superpowers, those that would last decades, or centuries, had economies that fueled their military but yet their economies did not rely on their military.
Re: Super powers
I read somewhere that just military strength and accumulation of wealth from others, is not enough to achieve economic strength. Example is Spain, which perhaps gathered more gold than England before 1600s. But still did not achieve economic strength. So what to do with this wealth is also very important. Kudos to English.
Re: Super powers
I read somewhere that just military strength and accumulation of wealth from others, is not enough to achieve economic strength. Example is Spain, which perhaps gathered more gold than England before 1600s. But still did not achieve economic strength.
so what are the sources of economic strength leading to super power status?
Re: Super powers
One must be able to make use of this wealth for further improvements. Industrialization, technological development, universities, etc.
As an everyday example, if a poor illiterate guy wins a lottery then it is highly likely that he will squander this wealth.