Hatalmasság

Hatalmasság is a Hungarian noun that denotes the state or quality of possessing substantial political, economic, military, or cultural power and influence. The term is used in political science, history, and public discourse to describe actors that can project influence beyond their borders, often in the sense of a great power (nagyhatalom). It is formed from hatalom (power, authority) and the abstract-noun suffix -sság, producing a general notion of power-related prominence.

In analysis, hatalmasság encompasses more than military might; it includes economic capacity, technological development, international alliances, diplomatic clout, and soft power. The concept is not a fixed legal category; its application depends on evaluative criteria and context, and debates may exist over which actors qualify as hatalmasság at a given time.

Historically, discussions of hatalmasság appear in studies of empires, nation-states, and blocs that shape regional or global order. The closest formal analogue in Hungarian is nagyhatalom, while hatalmasság functions as the broader qualitative state of having such stature.

See also: nagyhatalom, hegemonia, hatalmi viszonyok.