Power in the 21st Century: Superpowers or Coalitions of Middle powers?

The 21st century is marked by a reconfiguration of global power dynamics. While the United States long dominated the international order, its leadership is now being challenged by the rise of China. This duopoly largely structures current balances, economically, technologically, and militarily. In response, some argue that « middle powers » or « dynamic powers » should unite to counter unilateralism and the coercive strategies of major powers. The idea is based on a simple observation: on their own, these states remain vulnerable; collectively, they could carry greater weight in global power relations. Such a coalition would bring together, on the one hand, developed countries unwilling to systematically align with the United States, and on the other, countries from the “Global South” seeking to avoid dependence, whether on the U.S. or China. However, this hypothesis faces several limitations: diversity of interests, lack of common leadership, and strong interdependencies. Could such an alliance truly emerge? Is the world moving toward a stable multipolar system? Can middle powers form a credible alternative?