Any nation, big or small, can become a great nation.

Some nations think they are great, or strive to restore ‘greatness’.  But what really makes a nation great? Military power? Economic wealth? Territorial size? Technological achievement? 

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Many confuse greatness with dominance – with being powerful, envied, feared or obeyed

Many nations and empires through the centuries boasted all these things and yet became a curse to themselves and to others. Ancient Rome, Napoleonic France, the British Empire, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union all reached extraordinary heights of power. Yet none provides a sufficient definition of greatness.

Many confuse greatness with dominance – with being powerful, envied, feared or obeyed. 

Many confuse greatness with dominance – with being powerful, envied, feared or obeyed

Jesus offered a radically different definition of greatness. Once, when his disciples were arguing about who was greatest, Jesus said, ’Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.’

Greatness, Jesus implied, is measured not by how many people serve you but by how many people you serve. Leadership becomes stewardship. Authority becomes responsibility. Power becomes a means of serving others rather than controlling them.

This principle applies to nations as well as to individuals. A nation becomes truly great not when it dominates others, but when it develops the character and institutions that enable its people to flourish while contributing to the common good of humanity.

Authority becomes responsibility. Power becomes a means of serving others rather than controlling them

Great nations are marked by justice, not mere strength. They respect truth rather than propaganda. They cultivate responsibility alongside freedom. They produce citizens who understand that rights and duties belong together. They build trust through the rule of law rather than fear through coercion.

By this standard, what would make the European Union great? Ukraine great? America great? or Russia great?

 

What would make Europe great?

Europe will be great not by becoming an empire, but by being a community of peoples united in service. The European project was born from reconciliation: former enemies choosing cooperation over conquest. Its greatness lies in protecting human dignity, freedom, democracy, justice, and peace. 

  A great Europe would remember its moral and spiritual foundations and use its influence to serve others

Europe presently risks failing the test of greatness in its treatment of vulnerable migrants. Pope Leo reminded us this week that ‘the Gospel asks us if we have recognised Christ in those who disembark, marked by fear, hunger and violence, after enduring the desert, the night and the sea.’

Europe’s strength is not economic power alone. It is strong when it shows that diverse peoples can live together under the rule of law and mutual responsibility. A great Europe would remember its moral and spiritual foundations and use its influence to serve others. 

 

What would make Ukraine great?

Greatness will be found in Ukraine’s ability to build transparent institutions, combat corruption, uphold justice and create opportunities for future generations

Ukraine’s greatness does not lie primarily in defeating a brutal invader, although defending one’s freedom is noble and necessary. Ukrainian soldiers, volunteers, teachers, clergy, doctors, and ordinary citizens have shown extraordinary courage. Yet courage alone does not create greatness. Greatness will be found in Ukraine’s ability to build transparent institutions, combat corruption, uphold justice and create opportunities for future generations.

If Ukraine emerges from war committed to truth, reconciliation, accountability and the rule of law, its influence will far exceed its size. Great nations inspire. Ukraine has already begun to do so.

 

What would make America great?

America’s greatness is not military supremacy or economic power. At its best, America has represented a bold experiment in ordered liberty.

Making America great again will require Americans to recover honesty, humility, justice, compassion, responsibility and respect for the rule of law

Yet a nation cannot sustain democratic institutions if truth is devalued, public trust erodes and political opponents are treated as enemies rather than fellow citizens, as under the current administration. A recent survey by the European Council on Foreign Relations revealed that only one in ten Europeans now view the United States as a reliable ally.

Making America great again will require Americans to recover the virtues that sustain self-government: honesty, humility, justice, compassion, responsibility and respect for the rule of law.

 

What would make Russia great?

Russia possesses a rich cultural and spiritual heritage, as names like Tolstoy, Dostoevsky and Tchaikovsky testify. Yet Russian rulers have often sought greatness through conquest and ruthless domination – bringing suffering both to Russia’s neighbours and to Russians themselves.

 A great Russia would derive confidence from creativity rather than coercion, from culture rather than conquest

A nation’s character is tested by how it treats those who are weakest and most vulnerable. Russia’s future greatness will not be found in restoring empire. Russia will become great when her citizens can speak freely, participate meaningfully in public life and trust that law stands above political power.

A great Russia would be secure enough not to fear the independence of its neighbours. It would derive confidence from creativity rather than coercion, from culture rather than conquest, from service rather than domination.

Ultimately, greatness is not a matter of GDP, military expenditure, or geopolitical influence. Truly great nations – whether large or small – cultivate virtue, protect freedom, uphold justice, honour truth and protect the vulnerable.

Simply put, true greatness involves loving your neighbour and pursuing the common good. 

That means both the person next door and the nation next door. 

Jeff Fountain, Director of the Schuman Centre for European Studies. This article was first published on the author's blog, Weekly Word.