7.9 Challenges facing Superpowers Flashcards
7.9a Economic problems
a
a
7.9a Economic problems
debt
a
7.9a Economic problems
unemployment
a
7.9a Economic problems
economic restructuring
a
7.9a Economic problems
social costs
a
7.9a Economic problems
EU AND US CASE STUDY
7.9b Costs of maintaining global power
military:
USA and China account for 49% of the global military spending
- 9b Costs of maintaining global power
military: naval
The cost of new aircraft carriers are £6-7 billion
these enhance a countries blue water navy for greater geo-political power
countries must make a decision between a large number of low cost ships to provide strength in numbers, or a smaller number of high-tech ships to act in a diverse range of operations
aircraft carriers are considered essential for protecting power
the cost of defence is generally more expensive than the cost of attack
- 9b Costs of maintaining global power
military: nuclear
maintaining and replacing IBMs costs billions causing debate as to wether possessing weapons is worth it if they may never be used
nuclear weapons may act as a deterrent to any major escalation of a conflict
the only beneficiaries of nuclear defence are (mainly) US defence industries
UK Trident nuclear deterrent costs between £100 and £250 billion to build, maintain and decommission
- 9b Costs of maintaining global power
military: air power
the costs of air power tend to be the second highest after nuclear weapons
current warfare is more focussed on rapid response air power
NATO is increasing its spending on military air power
- 9b Costs of maintaining global power
military: intelligence services
intelligence work has become increasingly focussed towards anti-terrorism work
it has claimed to be successful at preventing terror attacks from taking place
hacking or leaking is a huge issue is an international and has been an issue in politics, particularly Russia’s role in hacking
7.9b Costs of maintaining global power
space exploration
only a few countries or partnerships are committed to space exploration- the USA, Russia, the EU, China, Canada, Japan and India
these have the greatest budgets and includes joint funding for the international space station
space budgets are under threat in many Western countries, while Asian countries have now adopted major space programmes and are able to launch space flights more cheaply
controversy over China and India having their own space programmes over US$1 billion, yet still receive aid
