A-Level Geography: Superpowers EQ3

Question 1

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

Why is the Artic a contested region?

Answer 1

• The USGS estimates that the Artic contains one-eighth of the world’s untapped oil and a quarter of its gas.
• Melting sea ice allows for shipping routes over the ‘top of the world.’

Question 2

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What is the recent reasons for the increasing political and military tension?

Answer 2

• The increased accessibility of mineral wealth beneath the Artic and new trade routes from the thawing ice.
• Countries filing claims to the UN Convention on the law of the sea about rights to land being an extension of a countries continental shelf. However, most of these claims overlap.

Question 3

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What was the Artic supposed to be under international law until the recent claims over it?

Answer 3

Under international law, the high seas including the North Pole and the region of the Arctic Ocean surrounding it, are not owned by any country. The five surrounding Arctic countries are limited to an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 200 nautical miles adjacent to their coasts.

Question 4

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What does Artic drilling for oil depend on?

Answer 4

High global oil prices. This is because the cost of production in the Artic is expensive.

Question 5

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

How has the melting sea ice allowed for shipping over the ‘top of the world?’

Answer 5

In 2014, 71 Cargo ships sailed these passages compared to the 46 in 2012.

Question 6

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

Why is intellectual property hard to protect?

Answer 6

Increasing counterfeiting and the difficult classification of and individual idea - how different does an invention have to be to be considered ‘new’?

Question 7

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

Why is patenting important to TNCs?

Answer 7

• Patenting is important for TNCs, since having a unique selling point is crucial for profits.
• Large amounts of money are paid in legal fees each year by TNCs trying to stop other companies using their ideas. e.g. in May 2018 Korean company Samsung was ordered to pay $539m to the American company Apple after a US court agreed they had copied patented features from the iPhone.

Question 8

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What is real example of patenting in the mobile phone market?

Answer 8

In May 2018 Korean company Samsung was ordered to pay $539m to the American company Apple after a US court agreed they had copied patented features from the iPhone.

Question 9

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What is patenting?

Answer 9

A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention, which is a product or a process that provides, in general, a new way of doing something, or offers a new technical solution to a problem.

Question 10

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What is Bangkok’s Patpong district known for?

Answer 10

Fake and illegal clothes, watches. luggage, jewelry, DVDs and software.

Question 11

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What could a fake pair of Birkenstocks be priced at?

Answer 11

They could cost around 200 baht a pair (£3.50).

Question 12

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

Why is faking brands illegal?

Answer 12

Illegal and constitutes an international crime against intellectual property rights (IPR) under WTO rules.

Question 13

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What does Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) imply for WTO members?

Answer 13

WTO members guarantee copyright protection covering everything from performance rights and designs and trademarks, to confidential information.

Question 14

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What does protecting patents imply?

Answer 14

It implies that new innovations cannot be copied or pirated.

Question 15

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

How does counterfeiting strain trade relations?

Answer 15

It threatens TNC investment since it fails to guarantee trading partner’s goods to not be undercut by counterfeits.

Question 16

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What does Russia consider its sphere of influence?

Answer 16

Russia considers its sphere of influence to be parts of Eastern Europe as most people are ethnic Russians and the majority of people speak Russian as their first language.

Question 17

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What did most of the Eastern European states seek to do after the collapse of the USSR?

Answer 17

After the collapse of the USSR in 1991, many Eastern European countries felt a desire for independence and break away from Russian influence. Many wish to join the EU.

Question 18

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

Why did many Eastern European states seek to join the EU? How many joined in 2004?

Answer 18

• They looked westward for economic assistance. Eight joined the EU in 2004.
• Europe’s economic aid for poor regions and human rights guarantees (through the).

Question 19

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What are signs of increased tension between Western Europe and Russia?

Answer 19

• EU and US economic sanctions following the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
• Open conflict in Crimea and Georgia has led to the displacement of people.
• NATO deployed additional air and ground forces along the eastern border in Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria.

Question 20

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What are examples of Chinese companies infringing intellectual property?

Answer 20

• 22 fake Apple stores were found in China in 2011.

- In 2013, the UN estimated 70% of all the world’s counterfeit originate from China.

Question 21

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What are China’s claims over the South China Sea?

Answer 21

Its claims are expressed by a line known as the ‘nine-dash line.’

Question 22

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

Why are China’s claims not accurate?

Answer 22

The claims are based on historical reasons, namely that the Parcel and Spratly islands were once regarded as Chinese. Vietnam disagrees with this and has documents to prove it has actively ruled over the islands since the 17th century.

Question 23

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What were China’s recent strategy to defend/reinforce its claims in the Spratly Islands?

Answer 23

• In 2014, China began constructing an airport on reclaimed land on Fiery Cross Reef.
• In 2015, China began the construction of a port and possibly an airport on Mischief Reef.
• In 2015, Subi Reef appeared to e being developed into a Chinese military base.

Question 24

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

How does the US respond to China’s increased presence in the South China Sea?

Answer 24

India and the US are worried about the military threat China poses, as it has many allies in the region, but does not want to go to war with China. The US regularly sends military ships and planes to ensure access to key shipping and air routes.

Question 25

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

Why is island building a direct attack on the UN Law of Sea?

Answer 25

Island building is an attack on the UN Law of Sea as construction is happening in areas that are disputed; China is taking de facto control of places claimed by other countries.

Question 26

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What has China done since the 2000s?

Answer 26

Looked beyond borders to become a source of FDI. The continent of Africa has become a major partner for China.

Question 27

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What are the economic implications of China’s African adventure?

Answer 27

• Exports from Africa to China and imports from China into Africa have both grown.
• Annual FDI from China had increased to about $3 billion by 2015 and the total stock of FDI stood at about $35 billion.
• Economic and development aid of about $2-3 billion each year. By 2015, China had built 2250km of railways and 3350km of roads.

Question 28

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What are the potential kinds of relationships between China and African developing countries?

Answer 28

• Neo-colonial - Where China exploits Africa for cheap raw materials but Africa get littles in return.
• Redevelopment - A developmental relation where Africa benefits and can progress through trad and deeper connection to the global economy.

Question 29

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

What are the environmental concerns from Chinese investment?

Answer 29

• Chinese imports of tropical timber have been linked to widespread illegal deforestation in Mozambique.
• Oil spills linked to Chinese-funded oil wells have been reported in Chad, Sudan, and Angola.
• The extraction of metallic ore coltan in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has led to widespread forest loss and river pollution, but is vital for Chinese mobile phone and computer manufacturers.

Question 30

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

How is China’s relation with Africa a neo-colonial one?

Answer 30

• Infrastructure investment ensure China can export raw materials as cheaply and efficiently as possible.
• Skilled and technical jobs are often filled by Chinese migrant workers, estimated to number 200,000 in 2014.
• Cheap Chinese imports undercut local produce.
• Aid from China is tied to FDI: allowing investment and Chinese aid.

Question 31

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

How is China’s relation with Africa a development opportunity?

Answer 31

• China has invested heavily in roads, railways, and ports to export raw materials - infrastructure is used by all.
• Vital jobs are created, especially by large industrial, transport and energy projects.
• Chinese finance has funded seventeen major HEP projects since 2000, adding 6780 MW of electricity to the continent by 2013.

Question 32

7.7 Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres.

How much of China’s GDP does counterfeit goods account for?

Answer 32

Counterfeit good sales account for 5-8% of China’s GDP.