Case Studies for Unit 1

Question 1

China

Answer 1

• soft power
• economic power

China has pledged $1.4 trillion in African infrastructure in exchange for favorable access to natural resources, showcasing its economic influence. It also uses soft power by spreading its culture, such as Chinese cuisine, globally. Despite international condemnation of its treatment of Uighur Muslims, including a letter signed by 22 EU countries, China’s economic leverage has hindered effective intervention. For instance, Balkan countries reliant on Chinese-funded infrastructure projects refrained from signing the letter, illustrating how economic ties can translate into political influence.

Question 2

EU

Answer 2

• interdependence
• pooled sovereignty
• IGO

Question 3

South China Sea

Answer 3

• sovereignty
• borders
• power

China wants to expand its territorial waters in the SCS. China has said that it does not recognise the authority of the International Criminal Court and will not comply with its decisions. In response, the US navy has sent warships to carry out ‘freedom of navigation’ patrols through waters that China claims as its own, but that the US considers international waters.

Question 4

Annexation of Crimea

Answer 4

• external sovereignty
• power
• natural resources
• interdependece

In 2014, the Russian Federation annexed the region of Crimea in the Ukraine. A referendum was held, but the UN declared the referendum illegitimate, due to the presence of the Russian troops. Russia justified its actions using the example of Kosovos claims for interdependece. The UN Security Council attempted to pass a resolution declaring the referneudm illegitimate, but Russia vetoed it.

Question 5

Hezbollah in the Arab Spring

Answer 5

• resistance movements

Arab Sping: a series of anti-government protests, uprisings and armed rebellions that spread across much of the Arab world in the early 2010s.

The Lebanese resistance movement and political party, Hezbollah, benefited from the Arab Spring to spread its hegemony over Lebanon through democratic means. In January 2011, the party and its allies forged a majority in the parliament and formed a cabinet. (no longer existent, but shows how resistance movements and how they can be taken advantage of)