Superpower
After WWII the US and the Soviet Union were capable of casting great influence globally
Real World Example
During the Cold War from 1945 to 1991, the term "superpower" referred to the United States and the Soviet Union, which had the ability to influence events globally due to their military and economic strength. This concept was important because it led to a tense rivalry between the two nations, each promoting its own political ideology—capitalism for the US and communism for the Soviet Union. This rivalry resulted in an arms race, space race, and numerous proxy wars around the world. Today, the idea of superpowers still matters as countries like the US and China hold significant global influence, affecting international trade and politics. For instance, trade policies or political tensions between these superpowers can impact everyday items like smartphone availability or gasoline prices, directly affecting our daily lives.