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unipolarity

unipolarity

9.9
One country having most power in the world
  • noun
  • /ˌjunɪˈpoʊlərɪti/
  • Specialized
translation icon : unipolaridad
  • On unipolarity and its consequences, see Robert Jervis, "Unipolarity: A Structural Perspective," World Politics 61 (January 2009): 188-213, and related articles in this issue.
  • unipolarity and multipolarity

But I've heard you say that unipolarity is the problem.

Examples

  • But I've heard you say that unipolarity is the problem.

  • The mainstream views contend that the struggle between unipolarity and multipolarity will last for twenty to thirty years.

    Academic text (2001)
  • First, there is the threat of U.S. unilateralism under unipolarity.

    Academic text (2001)
  • This determines the basic direction of European politics: toward unipolarity instead of multipolarity.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Not only is unipolarity undesirable, but continuous blind faith in military means to maintain a modicum of world peace defeats the very purpose of peace.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Firstly, the former Soviet Union's disintegration has left a power vacuum, the corollary of which has been a movement from bipolarity to unipolarity.

    Academic text (1995)
  • On unipolarity and its consequences, see Robert Jervis, "Unipolarity: A Structural Perspective," World Politics 61 (January 2009): 188-213, and related articles in this issue.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Their preference for multipolarity over unipolarity, their exhortations to "democratize" international relations and "strengthen multilateralism," and their calls for a new European security framework are vague appeals.

    Academic text (2009)
  • After the fall of the Berlin Wall, many analysts predicted a shift towards unipolarity with the United States as the dominant global power.

  • The discussion focused on whether unipolarity is beneficial for international relations in the 21st century.

Synonyms

hegemony
vsunipolarity
  • Formal
18 9.5

Power of one country or group over others

is a situation where one entity holds most power in the whole system

Antonyms

multipolarity
  • Specialized
8.8

A world situation where several countries share power rather than one country

How Concentrated

unipolarity
  • Specialized
9.9
bipolarity
  • Specialized
8.2
multipolarity
  • Specialized
8.8

Surface Forms

unipolarity singular
unipolarities plural

Morphology

unipolarity = unipolar (transparent) = uni + polar + ity

The noun is formed by adding -ity to 'unipolar'; the base 'unipolar' is a straightforward combination of 'uni-' (one) + 'polar' (pole).

Etymology

Unipolarity comes from uni- 'one' and polar 'pole', like the North Pole, so it paints a clear picture of a single centre. That is why in world affairs unipolarity means a system with only one main power or centre of influence.