Superpower (Kylaris)

A superpower is used to describes a state that has the ability to extensively project both hard and soft international relations globally. Superpowers are distinguished from great powers in that they are able to marshal economic, diplomatic military, technological and cultural strength in a dominant manner making them "above" the great powers in their power.

The term was first coined in a 1920 essay by the Estmerish scholar Arthur P. Randolph to describe the Gaullican Empire. Following the defeat of Gaullica in the Great War scholars have struggled to come to a consensus on whether certain nations or organisations can be termed as a superpower, although many agree that the post-war order has generally been multipolar. Since the 1990's there has been renewed interest in the term as several states or international organisations - most prominently the Euclean Community, Xiaodong and Senria - have been predicted to or have become superpowers in their own right.

The term has been more commonly used to describe nations in regional contexts.

Terminology and origin

The term superpower was first coined in 1920 in the essay A new Solaria: The Case of the Gaullican Empire by the Estmerish scholar Arthur Percival Randolph. Randolph stated that the influence of Gaullica in the economic, military, political and cultural spheres was "without precedent" in the history of the world and constituted the first "global power". In surmising Gaullica's status, Randolph wrote -

Compared to the previous empires that came before it - the Solarians, Verliquoians, Arasanids, Hiang, Narozalics - the Gaullican Empire stands heads and shoulders above. Their language is the one of commerce, diplomacy and art from western Euclea to southern Asteria. Their navy traverses every ocean, their army stationed on every continent. Their economy, population and landmass is larger then even the Hiau's. Their's is the first civilisation that is truly global. Some lump them in with other great powers of Euclea - Estmere, Narozalica, Werania, Etruria - but in truth Gaullica can be seen as the first global power, the first superpower.

Although later bemoaning the term - Randolph preferred what he saw as the more precise term of "global power" to describe Gaullica - the term quickly caught on, especially in the context of the rise of functionalism in Gaullica. During the leadup and during the Great War Gaullica's status as being "greater then a great power" was commonly accepted as fact by the Grand Alliance, who saw Gaullica as plausibly one day attaining global hegemony unless defeated due to its ability to fight on every continent. Following the great war, scholars particularly in Werania, Narozalica and Etruria explored further the concept of a superpower. Etrurian writer Sabastijan Koštomaj wrote in his 1937 essay Peace and Power that a superpower was a nation that possessed the following -

a continental-sized landmass.
a large population, particularly one larger then other great powers.
a diversified, industrial economy that was able to sustain massive economic output and production.
a large and self-replenishing food supply.
the ability to conduct war on a global scale.

Koštomaj stated that in 1937 no nation currently existing possessed these qualities, although predicted that Narozalica, the Etrurian Empire and Senria may one day reach them.

Kirenian scholar Janek Ruutli stated in 1954 that a superpower must be able to "project military, economic, diplomatic and cultural-ideological might globally". With the development of nuclear weapons Ruutli stated that they were a prerequisite for superpower status, but also drew attention to the fact that a superpower needed a "universalist ideological underpinning" to truly be global on an ideological and cultural level. This idea of an ideological underpinning was supported in 1973 by Gaullican writer Jérémie Boutet who stated that a superpower was a "combination of both a militarily and powerful state with a global mission that is able to penetrate the hearts and minds in any corner of the world".

Mabifian writer Ephraïm Koulsoumi stated that the idea of a superpower could be split into a "state-centric" approach which he claims is anachronistic in only truly applying to the Gaullican Empire and a "civilisational-centric" approach that stresses the idea of cultural soft-power unity and increasingly ideological multilateralism are better indicators of a "superpower" in international relations as they lead to other areas of traditional indicators of superpowers such as military and economic coercion. In this Koulsoumi points to the Euclean Community as a prime example and to the Congress of Bahian States as an "aspiring but unrealised" superpower. Koulsoumi's definition however was criticised by Hallandic writer Robert Frost who stated that the "ability to dominate and coerce nations militarily, politically and economically on a global scales remains the primary indicator of superpower status".

Historical superpowers

Gaullican Empire

The Gaullican Empire, particularly in the period from the mid-1870's to its surrender in the Great War, is usually considered by scholars and commentators to be the "definitive superpower", having been the polity the term was created for. As its height in 1927 the Gaullican Empire had collectively the worlds largest population (with metropolitan Gaullica having the largest in Euclea), landmass, economy, navy and military expenditure. The metropole also had a high standard of living, the Gaullican denar was considered to be the largest reserve currency, the Gaullican language was used in diplomacy and commerce and Verlois was considered to be one of the most important cities in the world. Gaullican haute culture was also widely emulated abroad whilst the empire was considered to have a rich tradition in music, literature, science, cuisine, art and fashion.

The global nature of the Gaullican Empire was commonly seen as the key to its classification of a superpower. With the metropole being based in Euclea Gaullica had colonies in every continent on the planet - Asteria Superior, Asteria Inferior and Coius (including in Rahelia, Bahia, Southeast Coius and South Coius). Many of these colonies also had Gaullican settlers in them, from majority-settler descended places such as Cassier and Satucin to smaller communities in places such as Baséland. As a result the empire was observed to be rather then simply a set of territories ruled by a colonial power - as the Estmerish, Weranian and Etrurian empires were often seen as -to be constituting a far more coherent imperial culture making the Gaullican Empire more cohesive then its Euclean peers. The embrace of functionalism is also seen by some as having entrenched Gaullica as a superpower as it presented a single, ideological dimension to the Gaullican state.

Most key to Gaullica's status as a superpower was its ability to be able to fight wars globally. This was demonstrated clearly in the Great War where the Gaullican military was deployed on every front, the only nation to do so - even on the Senrian front primarily fought by Xiaodong the Gaullican navy played a large role. Gaullica's global fleet and sizeable colonial armies, particularly the Satucine one, was seen as evidence of Gaullica's superpower status particularly in comparison to the regionalised armies and navies of the Grand Alliance. The defeat of Gaullica in the Great War, dismantling of the Gaullican Empire, discrediting of functionalism and rise of other nations ended Gaullica's period as a superpower.

Although the Gaullican Empire is commonly considered to be a superpower, it is not seen as a hegemon or unipolar power. Writing in 2012 Natalie Lichtwark stated that the period from roughly the First Narozalic Civil War to the Great War was a "hybrid system" of a single superpower but numerous great and regional powers whose influence Gaullica could never dominate hegemonically in unipolar manner. Lichtwark also stated that Gaullica's increasing isolation in the period meant it's power paradoxically increased as it began to strengthen itself moreso against what it perceived as a hostile coalition of forces against it.

Potential superpowers

Euclean Community

The Euclean Community is disputed amongst scholars as to whether it can be classed as an actual superpower or a potential one. This debate has intensified in the 1980's and mid-2000's with increasing centralisation measures being passed in the EC.

The EC has collectively the world's largest economy and second largest population. The citizens of its member states are commonly accepted to hold the highest standards of living in the world as well as some of the strongest civil and political rights. Two of its members, Werania and Estmere, have permanent seats on the Community of Nations security council as well as possessing their own nuclear arsenals. Culturally EC member states particularly Gaullica, Estmere and Auratia have a strong influence globally with Gaullican being the global language of commerce and diplomacy.

Specific reasoning...

The EC as a superpower though has been questioned by some. Unlike historical superpowers such as the Gaullican Empire or other potential superpowers such as Xiaodong and Senria the EC is not a sovereign state but rather a supranational organisation. André Laffitte stated in 2016 that the EC "lacking a common foreign and defence policy cannot in the traditional sense be considered a superpower" and that the EC whilst having global strategies still has to navigate between the demands of its member states, most notably Gaullica, Estmere and Werania. Laffitte also pointed out that the economic and political asymmetry of the EC - albeit being roughly similar - makes uniform policy prescriptions even with support from national capitals "difficult to calibrate". Zhu Huiliang in 2014 pointed out that the EC remains a "military non-entity" with Euclean defence affairs mostly handled by the Euclean Common Defence Treaty Organisation (ECTDO). Zhu stated that the perquisite for superpower status is "military reach" and that unless the ECTDO is merged into the EC it is unlikely to be considered a true superpower.

Former Gaullican and Euclean Community President Alexandre Lévesque has rejected the idea of the EC as a superpower, stating the term was "created to describe the global-hegemonic ambitions of the Gaullican empire". Lévesque has instead stated that the EC represents a "new kind of political relationship that defies the traditional notions of polarity, great powers etcetera - one built on multilateralism and global solutions".

Since the rejection by Etruria on EC membership in 2016 some have questioned as to whether the EC's soft power is successful. However recent moves to continue membership talks with Piraea and Slirnia have been pointed to as proof of the continued attraction of the EC.

Xiaodong

Xiaodong is commonly considered a candidate to become a great power, with large amounts of press and academic interest in the potential being made since the mid-2000's.

Possessing the worlds largest population and economy and second largest landmass Xiaodong is also noted to continually maintaining a large military, having high economic growth, nuclear weapons and being the leading force behind institutions such as the Rongzhuo Strategic Protocol Organisation and the International Forum for Developing States. Xiaodong also has some of the world's largest depostis of various natural resources such as rare earth materials and the world's highest industrial output. Xiaodongese culture has in recent years found a global audience particularly in food and films that is bolstered by historical cultural influence such as Xiaodongese characters. Rongzhuo, Baiqiao and Shenkong have also joined Jindao as global-level cities.

Specific reasoning...

However, many have stated that Xiaodong's rise to superpower status is not preordained and that the nation still has tremendous obstacles. Cao Meifen in 2011 pointed out that on many social indicators such as poverty, pollution, inequality, corruption, poor relations between ethnic minorities and continued spread preventable disease remain serious problems in the country. Cao stated that whilst Xiaodong has "very high GDP figures and a large military" that unless it can improve social conditions it will be not seen as a superpower.

Xiaodong's soft power and its diplomatic image have also been drawn attention to as potential problems regarding naming the country as a potential superpower. Takuboku Utsumi noted in 2015 that Xiaodong is "immensely disliked by a large portion of its neighbours who see it as an aggressive, arrogant nation". Failure to make amends for crime against humanity during the Great War according to Utsumi has "ruined" Xiaodong's image abroad making nations such as Senria directly hostile to Xiaodong whilst nations in Euclea and Asteria see such actions as distasteful. Lara Blomberg in 2019 stated that in the wake of Normalisation Xiaodong's poor human rights record and aggressive foreign policy made talk of its potential superpower status "be to the ears of many in Coius and Euclea a cause of concern rather then celebration" and that the continued rise of Xiaodong was encountering increasing opposition from abroad.

Senria

Republic of Senria

Since the mid-1980's there has been increasing press coverage surrounding Senria as a potential superpower.

Between the 1990's to early 2010's Senria possessed the world's largest economy and continues to possess the world's second largest population and economy whilst maintaining steady albeit unimpressive growth in both areas. Senria also has one of the largest armed forces on the planet with a particularly powerful navy and airforce, regional influence via COMSED, nuclear weapons, a permanent seat on the Community of Nations security council, cordial relations with the Euclean Community and the NVO and a diversified industrial economy. As well as that Senria is perceived to have a prominent amount of soft power in food, anime, films, video games and automobiles known as the Senrian Wave. Keisi, the world's largest city, is considered to be alongside Verlois possibly the most important in the world.

Ima Akamatsu predicted in 2001 that Senria would ascend to superpower status by 2020 thanks to a "growing economy, a cultural boom that has spread worldwide, decreasing poverty and corruption and an increasing trend towards political liberalisation". Akamatsu stated that under Kiyosi Haruna Senrian leaders had better then their Euclean counterparts found a national consensus for economic growth which was being seen by other nations in Asteria and Coius "including the longtime rivals Xiaodong" as an attractive path to development.

Théophile Brunet in 2014 also stated that the case for Senria becoming a superpower in the future was "reasonably strong" given the continued success of the Senrian Wave, increasing standard of living in Senria and growing mistrust of Xiaodong abroad following the 2013 avian flu outbreak. Johnathan Bush also pointed out in 2017 that since the creation of COMSED Senria had seen increasing levels of immigration from other Coian countries signalling the attractiveness of Senria as a centre for innovation and opportunity.

However others have been more cautious in labelling Senria as a potential superpower. In 2018 Fabien Portier noted that Senria "more then any other nation is at risk of falling into the middle income trap" noting that efforts by the Senrian government to shift to a high-income economy had been so far subpar. Portier further elaborated that with the raise of Xiaodong Senria has to "show the world it can once again the centre of innovation and economic prosperity in Coius" but that Senrian businesses and politicians had failed to do this. Portier further stated that Senria risked becoming the "perpetual country of tomorrow" in regards to its global ambitions. Keiji Yamagishi stated in 2015 that Senria's potential as a superpower was limited by Keisi's focus on Xiaodong and lack of geopolitical strategy compared to Kesselbourg or Rongzhuo. Yamagishi stated that "unless Senrian leaders crafted an engagement strategy with Asteria, a vision towards Bahian development, a rapport with west Euclea, it will be seen at best as an important regional player rather then a global force like the EC".

Others have noted that Senria has failed to tackle corruption, inequality, environmental destruction and an apathy towards politics and the state creed of Imaharism. Slowing economic and population growth and problems regarding high population density and urban management also have been highlighted as obstacles to Senrian superpower status.

Contested cases

Narozalica

Narozalic Empire/Narozalic Republic

Some scholars have opinionated that Narozalica has at points in its history fit the profile of a superpower. More commonly, scholars point to the period from 1934 with Narozalica's victory in the Great War to the start of the Sostava War in 1979 as one where Narozalica was at the least the most powerful individual nation on the planet if not a superpower. Others have sometimes stated that the Narozalic Empire from the mid-1750's to the War of the Triple Alliance constituted a superpower.

In 1962 Juan Manuel Águila stated that the Narozalic Empire could with its colonies in Asteria and Satria combined with its dominant position in Euclea be seen as the "first global civilisation Randolph spoke of in his seminal 1920 essay". However this view was rejected in 1965 by Godefroy Dembélé who stated that whilst Narozalica was powerful during that period it was not dominant or hegemonic, with Gaullica, Estmere and Kirenia being more-or-less on the same level militarily. Dembélé also stated that assigning states the title of superpower prior to the development of the "truly global patterns of commerce and imperialism" during the 19th century as at best a misdemeanour and at worst ahistorical.

Narozalica from the conclusion of the Great War to the start of the Sostava War is also sometimes considered to be a superpower. It was for the immediate post-war years the largest economy in Euclea as well as having the largest military with its own nuclear arsenal and a permeant seat on the CN security council. Narozalica also had a network of alliances with other nations in Coius and Asteria as well as being an important innovator in sciences, notably in the fields of nuclear research and space travel. For these reasons some such as Raphaël Masson, Asimodeo Maiorino and Eduard Stepanenko have characterised post-war Narozalica as a superpower. However this view has been criticised by others - Yaroslav Makarenko stated in 1987 that whilst Narozalica following the Great War was the most powerful of the great powers, it lacked the economic strength and military reach across the globe to be considered a superpower.

Since the Sostava War and the decline of Narozalic military power most agree that it can no longer be called a superpower and is unlikely to be in a position to become one in the near-future. However in 2014 Théophile Brunet stated that Narozalica with the consolidation of Samorspi can comfortably be considered to be a "regional superpower" in a similar vein to Zorasan, Satucin and Dezevau.

Superpower (Kylaris)

Contents

Terminology and origin