What major rivalry characterized the Cold War?

The major rivalry that characterized the Cold War was Democracy vs. Communism. This ideological struggle was primarily between the United States and its allies, who promoted democratic governance and market economies (capitalism), and the Soviet Union and its allies, who advocated for communist rule and state-controlled economies.

During the Cold War, this conflict manifested in various forms, including military standoffs, proxy wars, and significant political tensions, influencing events around the globe. The struggle for influence and power was not just about military might but also about the appeal of each system to countries that were emerging from colonial rule or dealing with their own internal challenges. As countries aligned themselves with either the democratic capitalist West or the communist East, the ideological divide became the defining feature of international relations for decades.

While capitalism vs. socialism is also a key component of the Cold War rivalry, the distinction lies in the specific framing of democracy and communism, which highlights the governance aspect central to the conflict. Monarchism vs. republicanism and fascism vs. liberalism were significant in their historical contexts, but they do not encapsulate the primary ideological confrontation of the Cold War era.