Is Equistria the most powerful nation in the world of MLP?

[Fractured 2,684]

They said "delegates", i'm pretty sure it's a different country. There's also the griffon kingdom to the northwest, and the far off Zebra tribe. Considering no one knows who Zecora is, the chance of the world being under Celestia's flag is unlikely

[Luna 831 466]

are you sure they said saudi arabia ?

[Fractured 2,684]

It's the country of Saddle Arabia

[The Boulder 121]

The rulers of Equestria hold the power to raise the moon and the sun. If nothing else, that ability has to give them some heavy political power. Displease Equestria, no day for you.

 

That is very true, though i dont think they could really take away the day for just one nation;it would effect everyone. I'm thinking Equestria is really the most powerful state, at least regionally, and the other countries (Saddle Arabia, Maretonia, maybe Crystal Empire, etc) are either city states heavily influenced by their neighboring superpower (Equestria) or satallite states with some autonomy but which ultimately obey Celestia and Luna :comeatus: .

Just look at Equestria Games. Each city in Equestria, (ie Ponyville, Cloudsdale, manehatten, etc) compete alongside Saddle Arabia and Maretonia, and possibly even the Griffin Kingdom, whos royalty/delegates are present right below Celestia and Luna. Just look at the thrones:

The main 4 princesses are on top, followed by the delegates from other "nations", and then city leaders/vips.

Its like a hierarchy.

(I'd also like to point out bulk bicept's mom is in the bottom right corner. ^ Along with other notable characters in the audience.)

 

Also, the Celestia SENT Cadance and Shining Armor to rule the Crystal Empire. That would be a big decision for the leader of ANOTHER COUNTRY to make for her own, so I'm thinking CE is part of or very close with Equestria. (I actually had another topic for this I made, its here if anyone wants to look: http://mlpforums.com/topic/104198-is-the-crystal-empire-and-other-nations-part-of-equestria-under-celestia/#entry2848206)

 

Idk about Equestria being the most powerful country though. Its army didn't handle the Changeling situation too well, and other than that it hasnt been seen being put to the test. Then again I'm sure the military isnt its top priority, seeing as theyve invented the steam engine but are still using pikes/spears.

 

Also, with all the talk about the US and Equestria, I think that since this is a TV show made in America, the creators thought it would be neat to have punny names of US cities and some landmarks, and thats where the similarities end. The US definitely isnt into the idea of a monarchy, even a two person monarchy...in fact we cant even work out differences between two parties!

They always bicker, and there definitely isn't as much "Harmony" as in Equestria, which seems to be Celestia's focus as a leader. In fact US ideas of Freedom and Equestian ideals of Harmony would likely be at odds.

 

But this is just my humble opinion everypony.

Edited July 15, 2014 by malexlee

[paradoxical 1,735]

I think that Equestria is the most powerful nation, not because of might, but because they have just enough force to show that their dedication to harmony doesn't make them powder puffs.

 

In other words they have such a high degree of "soft power" that their lackluster military isn't the main thing keeping them from invasion (and having all their rich soil, plentiful gems, and easygoing weather taken from them).

[RainbowDangerDashie 195]

If a nation filled with magical multicolored talking unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies that have super powers, with a badass ruler *hint hint Luna * isn't the most powerful then I don't know what is.

Edited July 15, 2014 by RainbowDangerDashie

[Deathstroke 1,564]

Here's what i was talking about this entire time: 

http://mlp.wikia.com/wiki/Equestria  be sure to read all of it, you can thank me later

Edited July 15, 2014 by Desert guardian

[Cwanky 17,735]

I'm not sure if its purely pony-centrism bias or just a lack of understanding that folks are coming up with these conclusions. 

 

What is known though about the world of MLP:FiM is the unknown - virtually almost NOTHING is known about the world beyond Equestria. And from the foreign invaders we've seen attack Equestria, many of them came extremely close to conquering Equestria, namely Chrysalis and the changelings and Tirek. Its been a matter of sheer luck, or "destiny/fate" if you want to call it that, that Equestria has prevailed these encounters mostly unscathed.

 

Judging also by the fact that Tirek was just 1 of several individuals of his race that was able to individually, albeit with some help via the manipulation of Discord, nearly bring down Equestria and its 3 alicorn rulers. Had it not been for Discord helping Twilight unlock the final key, Equestria may have been doomed. Every other countermeasure failed - the prison in Tartarus and Cerberus, the Equestrian military, the Royal Sisters and Cadence, and their backup plan giving their power to Twilight even.

 

Even when it came to Chrsyalis' invasion it was the very fortunate chance occurrence Twilight had with Cadance imprisoned in the cave through her banishment and Chrysalis' own arrogance that led to the victory, not any formal backup plan, the Elements of Harmony included.

 

I'm not even sure we can say Equestria has a reliable national defense. Save a few occassions, its been sheer good fortune that they've survived by more than the skin on their teeth. Also Luna's been pretty useless too so there.  :comeatus:

[Fractured 2,684]

@Cwanky: The Elements of Harmony have been shown to consistently deal with all threats they've gone up against. The villains in this show have thrived on the fact that they are usually out of operation or in a different location when they appear. now that can seemingly be activated on a whim, none of the villains we've seen would hold a candle to the Mane Six, especially with Discord on the side of good(presumably permanently, this time). Anything else would be speculation.

[Darker 1,352]

Yes, but also, USA is not the most powerful nation in the world.

[Plonkett 345]

I don't know about Equestria being the most power nation in the world, we know nothing about any of the other places in the world beyond that. There could be others that are just as powerful as (if not even more powerful then) Equestria. There could be a nation of qilins that would represent the strongest Asian nations combined (China, Japan, South Korea).

[PinkieAwesome 66]

Yes, but also, USA is not the most powerful nation in the wporld.

Im pretty sure that it is.

[Malinter 3,064]

There are probably several pony nations as not all the 3 tribes migrated to the same place as some moved elsewhere to establish the Crystal Empire. These satillite nations are probably self governed nations but defer to Celestia and Luna on global matters, simply because they literally have 3000 years of leadership skills between them and have probably lived longer than their nation has probably existed XD

Im pretty sure that it is.

 

Nope. It might have the most toys but political power isn't just in military, its also based on combined economic strength and that of its allies/trading partners. Factor these things in and you see the US start to slope down the lists. XD

Edited December 18, 2015 by Malinter

[ASGARDIANBRONY 128]

equestria is like asgard. sure there are other lands but there basically all controlled by asgard, the same goes for equestria.

[cider float 2,539]

There's yet to be many nations other than Equestria shown so far and when they were shown they weren't as prosperous or powerful (like Griffonstone) so until contested Equestria is the most powerful nation.

[Shadow Wind 56]

That is a really good question, but since the show mainly focuses on Equestria I would say maybe.... and a strong maybe.... who knows maybe they're like Europe and there's a different nation out there. Who knows?

[cmarston1 5,962]

As of right now probably.

Either that or the only one that isn't poor.

[Fluttershutter 2,876]

They control the sun. They're the most powerful.

[VengefulStrudel 1,495]

Well, we haven't really seen many other nations. The Gryphon Kingdom is a wreck, Tirek's homeland seems to be in pretty bad shape too, and I assume the Crystal Empire isn't as strong. Kinda hard to match up to a nation that controls the sun and the moon.

[Swifty 249]

The army of changelings didnt have any problems conquering Canterlot, though defended by prepared and alerted Royal Guards. Without plot armor i don't know why they couldn't try again.

Who would be able to stop them? Celestia, after she defeated Chrysalis? Lol, good one.

Edited December 19, 2015 by Swifty

[NotoriousSMALL 1,984]

Considering we don't have that much knowledge on outside nations we can't really know. All we have extended info on is the Griffon Kingdom which is in crippling poverty so it probably is.

 

Also, is the Crystal Empire now apart of Equestria or is it still it's separate entity?

 

Nope. It might have the most toys but political power isn't just in military, its also based on combined economic strength and that of its allies/trading partners. Factor these things in and you see the US start to slope down the lists. XD

 The US economy affects the whole world, and we're a lot better off compared to other countries. The US dollar is also used in most international transactions. Plus we have tons of allies (NATO) and our biggest trading partners are Canada and China. 

[Malinter 3,064]

 

 

The US economy affects the whole world,

The economy of any of the larger countries equally effect world trade. And you might have noticed alot of the US's "allies" seem to drag there feet about certain things America gets itself involved in, They aren't really reliable when your trying to work out a country's actual power and influence.   

[Sidral Mundet 1,666]

Yes but I feel that's because of the way the show is written. The thing is the world is not set up to be a fully lived in realized setting, moreso a set piece to allow for whatever idea or story the writers have in mind. Equestria is a paradise because it lives up to the ideals the show wants to put forward and everywhere else sucks because they don't live up to those ideals, simple as that.