EQ1- what are superpowers and how have they changed over time

Question 1

what is a superpower?

Answer 1

a nations which has the ability to project its influence around the world

Question 2

what are the four pillars of superpower status?

Answer 2

economic- a large economy allows a nation to control trade, invest in military and exploit natural resources
military- can be used to threaten or invade countries (hard power) to achieve geopolitical goals (e.g UN peacekeeping)
political & ideology- ability to influence other countries in a way which suits their desires or match their political systems
cultural- projecting values on others to change the way a population think.

Question 3

how can nations exercise their superpower status using resources?

Answer 3

physical resources: oil and gas can help a nation develop their economy through trade. If a country is dependant on another for resources that region will have power over them.
Human Resources: a large human workforce, if utilised properly can help to develop a nations economy. e.g emerging superpowers like India and china are using their large populations which are being used in manufacturing to develop their economies.

Question 4

what is the power spectrum?

Answer 4

describes the different approaches a country may have in influencing their power or culture on another.
hard power- using military and direct political intervention to change or influence the behaviour of other countries
soft power- a persuasive approach to international relations, typically involving the use of economic or cultural influence

Question 5

what are examples of hard power?

Answer 5

• military action
• threat of trade restrictions (embargos)
• use of economic sanctions to damage a nations economy
• owning the debt of other countries

Question 6

what are examples of soft power?

Answer 6

• attractive culture & lifestyle
• sought-after political advice
• foreign policies that encourage migration
• trade alliances
• foreign direct investment in business, infrastructure or facilities

Question 7

what is Rostow’s modernisation theory?

Answer 7

Rostow believed that countries pass through five stages as they grow economically and become developed:
traditional society- with the economy based predominantly on primary industry
pre-conditions for take off-demand for materials by external countries
take off- rapid industrialisation and growth in employment
drive to maturity-growing economy encourages new industries and investment
high mass consumption-in rosters opinion developed countries are capitalist and consumerist.

Question 8

what are types of polarity in powers?

Answer 8

unipolar world: one country dominates e.g the USA currently or the British empire during colonial times
Bi-polar world: where there are two main superpowers with opposing ideas and ideologies e.g the USA and USSR during the Cold War
Multi-polar world: where there are several powers and emerging power competing for power and global influence.

Question 9

Describe the British empire during the colonial era

Answer 9

• Britain ruled a quarter of the worlds land and a third of the worlds population
• British empire expansion based on hard power (invading)
• during this time, the world was considered uni-polar.

Question 10

what were the successes of Britains rule?

Answer 10

• railway lines were built which transported goods and the army quickly
• The English language spread which allowed commonwealth countries to partake in business.
• Education for all colonial states was improved - increased international migration to fill skills shortages in countries after WWII

Question 11

what were the negatives of Britains colonial rule?

Answer 11

• many colonial states didn’t have their own government which caused severe protests for independence
• discriminating policies were established to segregate the British migrants from the natives (some of which have remained in areas until recent years)

Question 12

what is Neo-colonialism

Answer 12

a countries use of economic, political, cultural, or other pressures to control or influence other (less powerful) countries, for their own benefit.

Question 13

what does Frank’s Dependency model explain?

Answer 13

how the Neo-colony (less powerful country) becomes dependent on the Neo-colonial (more powerful) power controlling it.

Question 14

what is an example of Neo-colonialism now?

Answer 14

IMF and World Bank
have been accused of being neo-colonial as they provide loans to ‘help’ developing nations but high rates of interest leave them unable to repay them. this means the countries are trapped in a cycle of debt and have to open their economies to private companies etc. which causes the gov. to lose assets and incomes making them even less likely to repay their debts.

Question 15

what is an example of a Bipolar World and who was it between

Answer 15

The Cold War
USA- democratic/capitalist
USSR-communist/centrally-owned economy

Question 16

what are features of capitalism and 4 examples?

Answer 16

• private ownership of property and business
• wages based on supply&demand and level of skills
• people have right to keep the profit they make
• can buy and sell goofs in a free market with little restrictions
  e. g : USA UK France Japan

Question 17

what are features of communism and 3 examples

Answer 17

• Gov. owns land and businesses
• wages determined by gov.
• profits taken by gov. and invested into services
• supply of goods controlled by gov.
  e. g USSR China Cuba

Question 18

what is a proxy war and an example

Answer 18

a war instigated by a major power which does not itself become involved
E.g
Vietnam war - USA fought with S Vietnam against N Vietnam supported by USSR and China

Question 19

what are some strengths and weaknesses of Brazil becoming a superpower?

Answer 19

+produces half of South Americas GDP
+has an abundance of natural resources (copper/food markets/iron)
+spends over 60% of South America’s military budget
-corruption and politically unstable with protests every year since 2013 due to budget cuts
-Deforestation is a major issue with large swathes of the Amazon being cut down for agricultural and commercial purposes.

Question 20

what are some strengths and weaknesses of Russia becoming a superpower?

Answer 20

+9th largest economy in the world and has large reserves for oil and gas
+it is a permanent member of the UN security council.
-it is the most unequal emerging nation where the richest 1% owns 71% of total wealth
-One of the most ecologically stressed landscapes due to human degradation

Question 21

what are some strengths and weaknesses of India becoming a superpower?

Answer 21

+It is a member of the G20 and was a founding member of the UN.
+Widespread use of English has been beneficial as it has attracted many TNCs and has caused a growth in trade opportunity
-Society is very unequal and more than 20% of people live in poverty.
-It has poor geopolitical relations with neighbours like China and Pakistan.

Question 22

what are some strengths and weaknesses of China becoming a superpower?

Answer 22

+China’s People Liberation Army has the world’s largest army and has nuclear weapons.
+The population of 1.38 billion allows for a vast labour pool, allowing China’s economy to increase.
-Because of high population, China’s GDP per capita is only 10% of the USA
-China is the world’s largest emitter of CO2​ ,​ producing 33% of the world’s emissions.

Question 23

what is the World system theory of Development?

Answer 23

treats the world as a single unit and divides countries into cores, peripheries and semi-peripheries. Recognises that some countries are more developed (core) than others (periphery) whilst some are emerging (semi-periphery).

Question 24

what does the Dependancy theory of development suggest?

Answer 24

developing countries remain dependent on wealthier developed nations for trade.

Question 25

what does the modernisation theory suggest?

Answer 25

countries move from underdeveloped to high mass consumption

Question 26

what does the development theory suggest?

Answer 26

colonialism is responsible for poverty’s persistence as rulers exploit their subjects.