Developing nations and superpowers Flashcards
What is China’s “One Belt One Road” initiative?
The belt refers to road and rail networks whilst the road refers to trade routes through various oceans. China has committed to investing into infrastructure projects such as hydropower and wind farms in Pakistan, nuclear power plants in Malaysia, a coastal expressway in Bangladesh and Gas and oil pipelines to China from Myanmar they have already spent over $900 billion on this initiative.
Promoting economic development in such countries will increase trade with China thus increasing wealth. it may also strengthen relationships between nations. however, China has been criticised of setting debt traps through tied loans and high interest. Additionally, most construction jobs are provided to Chinese workers, meaning it seems the initiative stands to benefit China more than other nations and increase its influence.
How is China investing in Africa?
in 2009, China invested more than $450 million in Zmabia’s mining industry. In 2010, Chinese managers of Zambian coal mines allegedly shot at least 11 miners who were protesting about poor working conditions and pay. Miners argued that their pay of roughly $100 per month was a problem as rentals cost $20 per month. Workers also lack face masks, safety shoes and their own clothes.
The Chinese government invested 4476 million in loans to Uganda for the construction of the 31-mile Entebbe-Kampala Expressway in Uganda. This a 4-lane highway connecting Kampala (Uganda’s capital) to the Entebbe International Airport.
The West fears that China are setting debt traps, through tied aid and high-interest loans for African nations, which will grant them more influence. Not only could this negatively affect public welfare systems, and infrastructure like healthcare and education, but it may also help China to challenge the US’s superpower status.
Why is the Middle East a highly unstable region with many conflicts?
Oil - The region is rich in fossil fuels with over 6% of the world’s crude oil exports originating from the Middle East
Religion - Despite Islam being the dominant religion in the region, there is both external and internal tensions between different followers of Islam (such as between the Shia and Sunni) as well as between entirely different religions ( Judaism in Israel and Islam in West Bank and Gaza)
Governance - Many of the Middle Eastern Nations are relatively new sates lacking strong democracies. This means religious and ethnic alliances are often ore powerful than national governments and seek to overthrow them.
History - Many Middle Eastern borders were drawn by colonial powers and don’t reflect the actual geography of religious and cultural groups
Youth - The Middle East has a relatively young population with high levels of unemployment and low levels of education. this makes rebellion likely
Examples of conflicts in the Middle East
Syrian Civil War - The US intervened due to Al Assad’s human rights violations however also wanted to prevent extremist groups like IS from gaining too much power. Other reasons for involvement may include increasing stability in the region, allowing for trade thus improving economic possibilities, and accessing resources such as oil. Russia supported Al Assad’s regime to prevent the USA from gaining too much influence in the Middle East and profiting from arms sales.
Iraq war - justified as a war against terrorism following 9/11 and beliefs that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and had connections to Osama Bin Laden. There is little evidence supporting this. It is likely that this justification was used as an excuse to gain access to oil resources.
Proxy wars between Saudi Arabia and Iran - in 1953, the US removed the president of Iran and replaced him with a monarch called the Shan who made reforms - making the country far more Western. he was also corrupt and thus disliked by his people leading to the Iranian revolution and overthrowing of the Shan in 1979 - led by Khomeini Saudi Arabia feared that uprisings would spread through the Middle East and that the Shia branch of Islam (followed by Iran) would become dominant over the Sunni branch (followed in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia formed an alliance with the US - which likely stands to gain access to oil and influence in the Middle East as well as install stability.
Israel’s conflict with Gaza - US support Israel to try and gain influence over the Middle East
The instability and abundance of resources make the Middle East a point of contest between many powers. e.g. USA and Russia trying to gain influence and access to resources whilst limiting the other’s.lo
