EQ1 Flashcards
define superpowers
a nation with the ability to project its influence anywhere in the world and be a dominant global force
what are the 5 pillars of superpowers
- economic power
- military power
- political power
- cultural power
- resources
what is the most important factor to a nation becoming a superpower
economic power is the base of the temple, a perquisite to power, large and powerful economies give nations the wealth to maintain a powerful military, exploit natural resources and develop human resources through education
how odes military power contribute to superpowers
- threat of military action is often a good bargaining chip
- military action can help achieve certain goals, some forms of military such as blue water navy can be used to enact blockades or embargoes
- satellite technology helps for intelligence gathering
- nuclear has lots of military weight
how does political power help superpower
ability to influence others through diplomacy can help achieve a nations goals. E.g. control can be exercised through international organisations such as the united nations and the world trade organisation
how does cultural power influence superpower status
includes how appealing a nations way of life is, and how attractive its values and ideology are to others, often excersiced through film, arts and food
how do resources contribute to superpower status
can be in the form of physical resources and human resources. the more resources a nation has the more fuel for its development which leads to more economic might
Where is Mackinder’s heartland
aka the world island, located in Russia and parts of eastern europe
what is the theory behind mackinders heartland
there are 3 things which determine who has most power:
-whoever ruled the most strategic part of europe would control the heartland
-whoever ruled the heartland would control the world island (Europe, Russia etc)
-whoever controlled the world island would rule the world
The further you are from the heartland the less power you have
what are some disadvantages of Mackinder’s heartland
- it has many borders so can be attacked from many sides causing a multi-frontal war which is very disadvantageous for the defender
- Much of its coasts are frozen in winter so it has few year round ports
What is Mackinder’s heartland shift theory
Heartland can shift due to an alternative power e.g. sea-power
- He believed that Britain’s 19th century industrialisation moved the centre of power westward
- Using naval power, he believed the UK could dominate everywhere from Western Europe to the pacific and Eurasia
How does Mackinder’s pivot shift correlate to past world events
Started off in around the Iran / Middle eastern area, gradually the pivot has been pulled towards Western europe
- Significant western jump from 1820 to 1913 showing the significance of Britain’s industrial revolution
- The shift from 2000 and projected 2025 reflect the importance of China
How does Hard and soft power relate to global trends and Mackinder’s theory
overtime, hard power became less relevant than soft power. During colonial + imperial era, troops were positioned in strategic areas like a global game of chess
-Mackinders original theory was centered around the power of resources (physical and human), location (protection from sea and land invasion (e.g. Himalayan barrier, caucuses, Carpathian mountains)
How has Mackinders theory influenced policy
- Post First World War attempts to limit German expansion
- Post WW2 NATO allies attempt to contain Soviet expansion westwards
- Truman Doctrine done to contain spread of communism from Soviet Union and China
is Hard power relevant today
- Soldiers are no longer moved around like a global chessboard
- Soft power is far more influential, hard power plays a different role
- Gulf war, Iraq invasion in 2003, American lead war in Afghanistan, all involved hard power to achieve aims by force
- Russian annexation of crime in Ukraine, subsequent economic sanction imposed by EU, USA and other nations are recent examples of hard power
