A hyperpower is a power that is vastly stronger than any potential rivals. Since the end of the Cold War, the United States has been the world's only superpower. Many thus call it a hyperpower, the first global one in world history.

The term hyperpower was popularised by French foreign minister Hubert Védrine in the 1990s in an effort to explain what had replaced superpower and great power dominance of international relations. As of 2004, the United States has a military strength comparable to the combined military strength of the next 17 nations. In cultural and economic spheres it is also dominant. Thus some observers (usually American) have termed this era as one of a hyperpower, with other powers having to learn how to deal with the United States, while at the same time the United States has to learn how to responsibly wield its power.

Others, such as Samuel P. Huntington, disagree with describing this as a hyperpower period, seeing today rather as a multipolar world, with many dormant and developing World powers, as well as a greater influence on World politics from regional powers.

Some people believe that whilst the United States has an enormous military advantage over its rivals and any possible contender for superpower status, it is only a matter of time before states such as the People's Republic of China or India, or international organizations such as the European Union, will join (or even surpass) the United States economically and/or militarily. In a world with multiple superpowers, the United States would no longer be a hyperpower.

See also

• hegemony