EQ1 Flashcards
Superpower
Nation with the means to protect its power + influence anywhere in the world
Global dominant force
Demands huge resources
Timeline of superpowers
1850-1950= UK + USSR
1945-1990= USA + Russia
1900-present = Russia, Japan,USA
21st century
Emerging superpower
Rising primarily economic influence of a nation
Steadily increased their presence in the world
Hyper power
Unchallenged superpower that is dominant in all aspects of power
E.g. USA 1990-2010 + Britain 1850-1910
Emerging superpowers
Some countries are emerging as powerful forces + may attain superpower status in the future
EU + China are key contenders with Russia, India,Brazil + oil rich Gulf states powerful in particular ways
Soft power
Power of persuasion
Some countries can persuade others follow their lead by making policies attractive + appealing
Hard power
Getting your own way by force
Military action/conquest or the force of it
Creation of alliances both economic + military to marginalise others
Use of economic sanctions to damage a nations economy
Economic power
Economic or development aid from one nation to another
Signing favourable trade agreements to increase economic ties
Criteria defines a superpower
Military strength
Demographic (pop)
Economic strength
Resources
Political
Cultural
Resources
Countries w/ resources necessary for economic development should hold sig power
E.g. Russia-gas Middle East-oil
H/ these countries w/ sig resources are not necessarily powerful because:
- exporting raw materials adds little value (e.g. Australia- iron ore)
- TNCs control large volumes of resources (e.g. BP-Nigeria)
Military indicators
Countries w/ large military may be viewed to be more powerful e.g. India
H/ type of weapons owned is also representative of power
I.e. countries in possession of nuclear weapons: USA, Russia, France, China, North Korea, Israel
Economic indicators
Countries w/ largest economies have a sig influence over global economies
2007 woirld 12 largest economies were: USA, China, India, Japan, Canada, Brazil, UK, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia
B/ these countries they earn 2/3rds of worlds GDP
Control investment
Use worlds most powerful currencies
Determine economic policies which affect the globe
Maintaining power
International influence needs 2 be maintained
S. Do this by using different mechanisms - some hard (overt) some soft + more subtle (covert)
S. Use hard power mechanisms because these are the most obvious + threatening. E.g. the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is a military alliance providing the USA with allies in North America, Europe, Middle East
SP - culture + ideology
Using media 2 promote a particular image + message
Values + ideology of some nations are seen as appealing
Exporting culture in the form = film + TV or globally recognised brands
Education!
MP - Economic power - aid and trade
Favouring certain trade partners
Trade blocs + alliances
Giving allies economic + technical help
Using aid 2 influence policies
HP - Military presence + force
Military action or threat
Military alliances = NATO