7.2 Patterns of power change over time and can be uni-, bi- or multi-polar.

Question 1

How was power maintained in the imperial era?

Answer 1

direct colonial control

dominant powers established and maintained colonies of various regions of the world

allowed for the exercise of political, economic, and military control over colonized territories

Question 2

An example of direct colonial control

Answer 2

The British Empire

established colonies and territories across continents

BE exerted control over India, Africa, the Caribbean, and parts of Southeast Asia

British colonial rule involves governance, exploitation of resources, cultural assimilation, and establishment of institutions to maintain control

Question 3

Multipolar World 1919-1939

Answer 3

following WWI, world experienced a multipolar power structure

characterized by existence of multiple significant powers competing for influence

maintaining power through colonial rule was a widespread strategy for imperial power including Britain

BE continued to maintain colonies and territories to leverage economic, military, and administrative capabilities

Question 4

How is political control important in direct colonial control?

Answer 4

colonies needed to be led by officials from the ruling empire

administrations implemented policies, laws, and governance structures to maintain political control over colonies

Question 5

How did colonial powers use economic exploitation?

Answer 5

exploited control of resources and labor from colonies for economic gain

involved extraction of natural resources,
establishment of trade networks,
and shaping economies of colonies to serve interests of ruling power

Question 6

How did colonial powers use military presence?

Answer 6

imperial power maintained military forces in their colonies to suppress uprisings

also to maintain order deter external threats

ensured dominance and stability of ruling power

Question 7

Why did imperial powers assimilate their culture in colonies?

Answer 7

aimed to promote own language, culture, and values in colonies

helped establish social control and reinforce dominance of ruling power

Question 8

Multi-faceted, indirect control

Answer 8

Cold War era - emergence of China as potential rival to the USA’s hegemony, maintaining power has become increasingly relied on multifaceted indirect control

various dimensions including political, economic, military, and cultural aspects to maintain dominance

Question 9

Political influence in multi-faceted control

Answer 9

influencing and shaping political systems and policies of other nations rather than direct colonial control

can involve supporting or manipulating governments, engaging in alliances, and exerting influence through international institutions

Question 10

Economic influence in multi-faceted control

Answer 10

have become more central in maintaining power

exercised through mechanisms like trade agreements, economic aid, investment, and financial institutions

dominant power leverage economic dependencies and structural power to advance their interests and influence other nation’s policies

Question 11

Military presence and alliances in multi-faceted control

Answer 11

remains significant in maintaining control

dominant powers establishing military bases, engaging in military partnerships, and fostering alliances

arrangements help secure strategic interests, project power, and deter potential challengers

Question 12

Cultural influence in multi-faceted control

Answer 12

cultural dominance + soft power play an increasingly important role in maintaining power

influencing cultural sphere: media, entertainments, education, and values can shape perceptions, norms, and align interests with dominant power

Question 13

Neo-colonial mechanisms

Answer 13

refers to indirect forms of control that maintain dominance without direct political control

mechanisms involve economic exploitation, unequal trade relationships, asymmetrical power dynamics, and shaping the political and economic systems of other nations to serve interests of the dominant power

Question 14

China’s emergence as a potential rival

Answer 14

China’s rise as a potential rival to the USA’s hegemony - multi-facted, indirect control has gained even more importance

as China expands economic influence, military capabilities, and cultural outreach - it poses threat to exists power dynamics and dominant powers strive to maintain their control and influence in face of this emerging power

Question 15

How do centralized powers bring varying degrees of geopolitical stability and risk?

Answer 15

centralized power and stability
-power concentrated in hands of few dominant nations
-can bring stability by efficient decision making, coordination, and governance
-clear hierarchy and concentration of power can reduce internal conflicts
-HOWEVER
-can also lead to risk of authoritarianism, inequality, and resistance from marginalized groups

transitional power dynamics
-rise of new power or decline of established powers can lead to geopolitical instability
-may lead to power struggles, realignments of alliances, uncertainties about future power relations
-geopolitical stability and risk depend ds on ability of powers to manage shifts peacefully and cooperatively

Question 16

How do balanced powers bring varying degrees of geopolitical stability and risk?

Answer 16

balanced power and stability
-power distributed among multiple entities or nations
-contribute to geopolitical stability
-multipolar world - presence of multiple powers can create a system of checks and balances
-reduces risk of one entity dominating and potentially causing conflicts
-HOWEVER
-maintaining power requires constant negotiation, cooperation, and avoidance of power imbalances that could lead to competition and rivalries

Question 17

How do power vacuums bring varying degrees of geopolitical stability and risk?

Answer 17

power vacuum and instability
-characterized by absence of weakness of dominant power
-can lead to geopolitical instability
-absense of clear power structure –> competition, conflicts, and power struggles among nations may arise
-creates instability, regional disputes, and even violence
-power vacuums can result from collapse on empires, political transitions, or conflicts

Question 18

How do hegemonies bring varying degrees of geopolitical stability and risk?

Answer 18

hegemony and stability/risk
-where one dominant power exerts significant influence over others
-provide degree of order and stability through leadership, shared norms, and common rules
-HOWEVER
-potential absues of power, dominance, and resistance from other powers or regions
-can challenge hegemon’s authority and lead to conflicts

Question 19

How do transitional powers bring varying degrees of geopolitical stability and risk?

Answer 19

transitional power dynamics
-rise of new power or decline of established powers can lead to geopolitical instability
-may lead to power struggles, realignments of alliances, uncertainties about future power relations
-geopolitical stability and risk depend ds on ability of powers to manage shifts peacefully and cooperatively