Human Geography- Superpowers Questions Flashcards
Define and give an example of
a super power
a regional power
an emerging power
a superpower is a nation with a leading position in international politics. The UK was an example of an empire with excellent trading links
Explain the range of characteristics that contribute to super, regional or emerging powers.
ECONOMIC- High GDP and high levels of trade, including influence over global trade, Home to many TNCs a hard currency held in reserve by other countries
POLITICAL- Permanent seat on the UN Security Council, together with powerful allies, many multilateral agreements.
MILITARY- High expenditure, largest amount of hardware and personnel, including nuclear weapons, Could command global military control, exporters of technology, unparralelled intelligence networks, exporters of technology.
CULTURAL- Long standing tradition and rich cultural history and way of life voluntarily enjoyed by many around the world, for example music and fashion.
DEMOGRAPHIC- Significant percentage of global population, Attracts skilled migrants and other workers
ACCESS TO RESOURCES- Able to export and control the supply of valuable commodities, for example oil, or able to secure the resources it needs. Occupying a world location that enables it to command its influence
Which of the characteristics above are the most significant for gaining power?
I think the most important for gaining power are economic and military, this allows the enforcement of both soft and hard power which could be used to leverage the country and maintain its superpower status.
Economic strength- without money you cannot do anything, it is the factor which catalyses a lot of the other factors such as military strength and size. E.g USA has the strongest military expenditure in the world at $612 billion which would be very difficult to do if they didn’t have the 2nd largest economy in the world.
Military strength- It shows that a country is well-equipped and prepared for global conflict. It can also be a sign for stability. It also means that a country can defend itself well against a national or international threat without going into an existential crisis.
Explain what the term ‘hard power’ means and how effective it is at maintaining power.
It means a coercive approach to international political relations, especially one that involves the use of military power.
- It is quick to deploy, it is relatively easy to use, you can see the results lot easier and it is useful when it is used in a focused manner.
Explain what the term ‘soft power’ means and explain how effective it is at maintaining power.
It means to have a persuasive approach to international relations, typically involving the use of economic or cultural influence.
- It is wielded as the most ethical alternative, better and less risky option than hard power.
- Leveraging soft power can take long to come into fruition, it can be wielded for bad purposes e.g. Hitler, notoriously difficult to measure as there are numerous sources which are involved, it is hard to use, easy to lose and costly to establish.
Which type of power, hard or soft, is the most effective at maintaining power?
hard power is the most effective at maintaining power because it is quick to deploy, it is relatively quick to use and it doesn’t require many sources as soft power. Soft power, even though it is a less risky alternative it can take a long time to come into fruition and how it can be used in a crisis.
- Explain the positives and negatives of Mackinder’s Theory – is it still relevant today?
Mackinder’s geographical pivot theory- the world was split into 3 parts the world island, offshore islands and outlying islands. The theory suggests that it has enough power to control the whole world.
POSITIVES- it provided an analysis of the political world which included correct predictions, its simplicity and boldness have been achieved, an innovative approach relating geography with political power struggle.
DISADVANTAGES- it is an outdated theory developed in the 19th century, he repeatedly modified his theory, the rising importance of trade has propelled countries in Asia which couldn’t have been predicted in his time, he repeatedly modified his theory shows he didn’t have faith in his own work, his assumptions about history were wrong as he thought it was down to land and sea powers whereas it was actually down to physical, socio-economic and cultural factors.
How was power gained an maintained during colonial times with particular reference to the British Empire?
British Empire started in 1400
- Commodities such as cotton, slaves, spices were used to set up trading companies which generated income and allowed further exploration.
- Raw materials were bought back into the big shipping areas of Liverpool, London and Bristol which fuelled the industrial revolution
- Most, not all countries were taken without force and then Britain introduced its legal systems, education systems, inventions of the railways, language, sport and culture
- To maintain control, Britain HIGHLY POPULATED the countries with British Military, British Farmers, British Administration. Britain were morally superior with God on their side.
Explain the positives and negatives of a uni, bi, and multipolar world UNFINISHED
MULTIPOLAR WORLD- It is where there is a distribution of power to which more than two states have nearly equal amounts of military, cultural and economic influence.
BIPOLAR WORLD- It is where there is a distribution of power in which two states have the majority of economic wealth, military and cultural influence internationally or regionally.
UNIPOLAR WORLD- It is where one state has less distribution of power which exercises most of the cultural, economic and military influence.
Explain how the use of indirect control particularly neo-colonial control can be used to influence other countries and exert your power
The post-colonial period created much conflict, corruption and civil wars, Soft power is being used to control former colonies to ensure wealthy countries still get what they want this is known as neo colonial control.
Which type of power bring the greatest geopolitical stability and why? Use examples to back up your ideas.
Soft power is the element which can bring the greatest geopolitical stability, it is the main driver behind neo-colonialism and harnesses power to more countries at the top.
AID, MILITARY SUPPORT/CONTROL, ECONOMIC CONTROL, CULTURAL CONTROL- TNC INVESTMENTS, MONEY LENDING.
-Political power- the US during the Cold War attempted to prevent the spread of communism beyond China and Russia (two superpowers), it was an attempt to persuade countries that might be influenced by communism to choose a capitalist free market. Therefore, this means that the main country exerting this soft political power can maintain good relationships with other countries, enforcing soft power and developing multi-lateral and bi-lateral trade.
Who are the G20 and what is there role?
The G20 is an international forum for the world’s leading emerging economies,
- Their role since the global financial crisis have been striving to stabilise the world economy.
Why are the BRIC countries becoming so important because of their economic,, political and environmental contributions to global society?
ECONOMIC-
They are the only $1 trillion economies outside the OECD
POLITICAL-
China has become a mega trader, larger than imperial Britain: commodity prices have soared while manufacturing costs have shrunk.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Historic rise in greenhouse gas emissions: three of the top four polluters are BRIC countries
Starting to lead the world in renewable energy production, for example solar panel production in China
Why are the G20 becoming so important in terms of their economic, political and environmental contributions to the global society?
ECONOMIC
More money is available for the IMF, to help tackle globalisation
POLITICAL
Newer members of the g20 tend to not keep agreements and commitments as seriously
Countries have started to share financial information to fight tax evasion, and agreed to monitor one another’s actions.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Agreed a post-recession green stimulus package worth 1.1 trillion and commodities to remove subsidies.
They have agreed on a need to tackle climate change and global health issues, for example Ebola, but without committing money or agreeing quantitative targets.
For each of the BRIC countries, outline their strengths and weaknesses in terms of their ability to develop and become increasingly powerful.
CHINA
Strengths
-Trade agreements with other countries because of their open door policy
- a strong military, 2nd largest military in the world.
Weaknesses
-An ageing population which are reliant on resources but they are not a benefit to society
-A lot of Chinese are moving to other South East Asian Countries without being a benefit to China
-TNCs industrialised in the area are producing more waste
BRAZIL
Strengths
-larger income, more jobs for people in the country
- They start to gain the most power in Latin America
- They have started to gain more trade agreements (Brazil and China have 20 trade agreements already
Weaknesses
-Their economy and government will be at great risk. North/South Divide in Brazil (3 States in Brazil have 55% of the GDP, corrupt government)
RUSSIA
Strengths
-they have a population which is growing at a rate of around 4 million a year
- They have a new found sporting prestige (14 Golds at Sochi Games) also they are the host country for the 2018 World Cup.
Weaknesses
-In 2014 Russia was ranked 136/175 in the Transparency internationals corruption Index, down from previous years
-Organised crime and corruption reporting project named Putin its person of the year
INDIA
Strengths
-Their GDP is rising every year at a rate of 5.2%
-A better infrastructure is a large focus of their expenditure will be focused on it
-They have a $40 billion military expenditure
Weaknesses
-A lot of their demographic is failing to get jobs as the government isn’t creating any
-They still have an underdeveloped job sector as they have the highest number of engineering graduates but not enough high sector jobs.
How do global superpowers use the World Bank to promote free trade and capitalism? Is it right that they can do this?
It increases global development
Reduce inequality
Lend money/expertise
How do global superpowers use the IMF to promote free trade and capitalism?
their aim is to promote global and financial stability
How do global superpowers use the WTO to promote free trade and capitalism
They facilitate global trade by reducing taxes, tariffs etc., they judge trade disputes which occur between countries.
How do global superpowers use the WEF to promote free trade and capitalism
They are a combination of both public and private and academics involved in a forum of global issues of the future.
Which of the IGOs above are most effectively used to promote free trade and capitalism
The WTO are the most effective to use to promote free trade and capitalism, this is because they take down barriers which limit free trade, ideas such as
How do public TNCs impact the global economy in terms of technology and trade patters through the spread of economic and cultural globalisation?
They invest large large amounts of money into research and development in order to maintain their competitive edge. The academic research which underpins this is often funded by TNCs. Queens Belfast and Land Rover
Sometimes to improve its media image, companies run charitable programmes, for example GlaxoSmithKline has teamed up with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to distribute more than 28 billion of the malaria Vaccine Mosquirix.
How do state-led TNCs impact the global economy in terms of technology and trade patters through the spread of economic and cultural globalisation?
In some countries, particularly China, TNCs operate under tight state controls, and some strategic industries (banking, energy, telecommunications and transport) are state owned. Although private individuals may own a small number of the shares, TNCs operate much like the government departments. The advantage of this is that governments can invest in long-term development, such as roads, railways, ports and renewable energy.
