Superpower without empire

How the USA achieved global dominance

The USA is a superpower which has never had an empire. Instead it has achieved ideological, economic and political dominance using its financial power and exploiting the spread of its culture by globalisation. This article considers how the USA has used global systems to achieve its geopolitical status

David Sherratt

For a presentation on the USA as a superpower and a quiz to test your knowledge go to: www.hoddereducation.co.uk/geographyreviewextras

Since 1945, the USA has been the world’s dominant non-communist player and, after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the only superpower. However, unlike every superpower before it, the USA has not built an empire by colonising other nations. Instead, it has used ‘soft’ mechanisms, such as aid and trade strategies, to spread its ideologies, culture and power.