As the state was called playing a leading role in international relations.

Such a state can be called a superpower or a great power. At the present stage, such states are the United States, Russia and China, they are also among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. In addition, these include France and the United Kingdom. And also India can be partly attributed to them.

In the 19th century, the great powers included Russia, Great Britain and France, and from the 1870s – Germany.

In the 17th century in Europe, Sweden was a power and an important player.