5. 3.2.5.2 Natural Resource Issues

Question 1

What is geopolitics?

Answer 1

The study of international relations, influenced by geographical factors

Question 2

Give some examples of geo-political events.

Answer 2

• Russia and Ukraine gas supplies conflict
• The EU successful cooperation
• USA and China trade wars

Question 3

Define sphere of influence.

Answer 3

The power which a country or group of countries exert over other countries in terms of trade, economic and military intervention.

Question 4

Why do some countries has less power than others?

Answer 4

1) Lack of physical access to the specific regions where the resources exist (e.g Chad)
2) Lack of trade access due to insufficient wealth (e.g Haiti)
3) Lack of trade due to the difficulty of entering established markets and structures (e.g Cambodia Everything but Arms)
4)Excluded access due to restrictive trade agreements, trade embargos or political isolationism (e.g North Kporea)

Question 5

Give some examples of geopolitical issues of energy.

Answer 5

1) USA claims to Greenland for gas and oil resources
2) Boycott of Russian gas and oil by USA
3) Iran oil and USA oil trade conflicts