Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

SUPERPOWERS > EQ3: What spheres of influence are contested by superpowers and what are the implications of this? > Flashcards

EQ3: What spheres of influence are contested by superpowers and what are the implications of this? Flashcards

1
Q

Global influence is contested in a number of different…

A

economic, environmental and political spheres.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a sphere of influence?

A

A region over which a country believe it has economic, military, cultural or political rights. Spheres of influence extend beyond the borders of the country and represent a region where the country believes it has a right to influence the policies of other countries.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What can cause conflict/tension?

A

Water resources e.g Egypt/Ethiopia
Intellectual property e.g China/EU
Energy resources e.g Russia/Canada
Territory e.g Russia/Ukraine
Access to trade
Politics e.g interference, ideology

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What has led to an increasingly unstable geopolitical landscape?

A

The recent shifts in patterns of power and the emergence of multiple potential superpowers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Intellectual property rights

A

The right to protect a person or company’s artistic works or interventions, without them being copied by someone else.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What has the rise of emerging nations provided?

A

A key market for counterfeit goods, one of the most prevalent ways to violate international property rights. These countries have a weak ability to protect intellectual property rights, and little or no interest in doing so.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How much of world trade is counterfeit goods?

A

Estimated 5-10%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Who is accused of being a leading violator of intellectual property rights?

A

China, leading to heightened tensions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How does globalisation contribute to tensions with intellectual property rights and counterfeit goods?

A

Global shift in manufacturing to Asia.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Why is access to resources important for superpowers?

A

Nations need resources to become and maintain their power – which need to either be domestically sourced or obtained through international trade. Access to these resources needs to be guaranteed and can cause tensions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Why can conflicts escalate where tensions arise around resources?

A

Superpowers are often in the strongest position to leverage control over these things so conflicts can escalate.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Why might tensions arise between superpowers around fossil fuels and other natural resources such as “rare earths”?

A

They are non-renewable and are running out whilst the world increasingly relies on them (rise of the middle class and growth in demand for consumer goods)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What does UNCLOS stand for?

A

UN Convention on the Law of the Sea “A country can control the seabed and its resources within 200 nautical miles of its coastline (Exclusive Economic Zone or EEZ).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Why is the Arctic important?

A
  1. It’s estimated that ¼ of the world’s undiscovered oil and natural gas may be in the Arctic
  2. Climate change means that exploration and exploitation in the Arctic is now possible – but still difficult so is likely to depend on the price of oil
  3. Several different countries have claims over the Arctic under EEZ
  4. Increasingly accessible mineral wealth beneath the Arctic, together with the opening up of new transport routes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is happening with China, Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei?

A

They all have competing claims for island chains and sovereignty over ocean areas.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Why are the islands in the South and East China Seas important for competing countries e.g China, Japan and Vietnam?

A

The islands may have natural mineral reserves, while the sea is a major shipping route and home to vital fishing grounds which support the livelihoods of people within the region.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Why have tensions risen dramatically over the last few years? (over competing countries for islands)

A

Due to China’s programme of island-building and increasing naval patrols.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Why is strategic competition important in the Arctic?

A

Policymakers search for ways to enhance transparency of their military activities, develop confidence building measures, and create dialogue mechanisms to avoid conflict.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is increasing the possibility of accessing the oil and natural gas reserves in the Arctic?

A

Receding polar ice.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Why is the Arctic an area of conflict?

A

Debate on how to exploit these resources sustainably, and who has sovereignty over different parts of the seabed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Negative economic implications of extracting oil in the Arctic?

A

The costs are high. Eventually, though, the price of oil may increase to a level where it becomes economically feasible to extract from the Arctic Ocean.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

4 Arctic territorial claims

A

USA Continental Shelf
Chukci Sea
Beaufort Sea
Lomonosov Ridge

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

USA Continental Shelf

A

If the USA ratified the Law of the Sea treaty, it could claim territory here roughly half the size of Alaska

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Chukci Sea

A

Shell has plans to explore here. But since Russia is claiming nearly half of the Arctic Ocean, this could be an issue.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Beaufort Sea

A

A 100-square mile area in this body of water is said to be rich in oil and gas, but it’s in dispute - so no one has bad on a drilling lease offered by both Canada and the USA.

25
Q

Lomonosov Ridge

A

Both Russia and Denmark (Greenland) claim sovereignty over this undersea land mass that extends from Russia to Greenland which may contain 70 billion barrel oil deposits.

26
Q

In 2002, what did Canada do in the Arctic?

A

Recommended military exercises in the Arctic that are now conducted annually.

27
Q

What did Russia do in 2007 in the Arctic?

A

Russian submarine planted a Russian flag at North pole and restarted long-range Arctic bomber patrols

28
Q

Which countries have claims over the Arctic?

A

Russia, Canada, USA, Denmark (Greenland), Norway

29
Q

Why is the Arctic of so much interest?

A

Resources (oil, gas), territory (Denmark), shipping routes (Russia, and China but no claim)

30
Q

What has given these countries influence over the Arctic?

A

Countries have claims through:

  1. their land area and UNCLOS (Russia, USA, Canada, Denmark, Norway) – and rights to resources on land
  2. military presence (Russia, USA also Denmark and starting China – in alliance with Russia)
  3. Physical presence (Russia – flag on the sea floor)
  4. Land presence – extension of continental shelf (Denmark and Russia re. Lomonosov Bridge)
31
Q

How is the Arctic likely to impact the power status of the different parties/countries involved?

A
  1. Give additional power to Denmark (just a small company) through its strategic location – also its environmental stance
  2. Could weaken UNCLOS power if superpowers disagrees with rulings
  3. China may increase power if it has technology to navigate before others, but could decrease due to no legitimate territorial claims
  4. Economic power through drilling leases.
    NB Greenland is no longer releasing any more leases in order to concentrate on HEP and protect the environment. USA is see-sawing over the issue depending on politics: Trump approves leases, Biden has suspended them under the National Environmental Policy Act.
32
Q

EXAM Q: Explain how geopolitical processes have led to a contested Arctic.

A
33
Q

Who are fake goods a problem for and why?

A

ACs – firms and countries (tax)

LIDCs – firms and countries

IGOs e.g. WTO (TRIPS)

Takes away profits from TNCs and governments (tax) – USA owned brands/patents on 24% of seized products

Reduces employment opportunities

Health and safety risks

Creates profits for organised crime

34
Q

According to OECD data, it’s estimated that international trade in counterfeit goods is worth well over…

A

$500 billion

35
Q

Why are so many counterfeit goods made in China?

A

Many of the originals are also produced there, so they have access to IP

Poor protection of IPR (although new legislation 2019) and joined WTO 2001 (incl. TRIPS)

Lack of policing

36
Q

Countries that are the main sources of counterfeit goods?

A

China, Hong Kong, Turkey, Thailand, Singapore

37
Q

What is the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights(TRIPS)?

A

An international legal agreement between all the member nations of the World Trade Organization. It establishes minimum standards for the regulation by national governments of different forms of intellectual property.

38
Q

How has IPR created tensions?

A
  1. Many USA companies manufacture in China and complain that their IPR is not adequately protected
  2. Chinese business legislation required some companies to share technology IP before doing business in China
  3. Intergovernmental negotiations on trade deals have been compromised by accusations of lax IPR protection
  4. Could affect future deals between USA/China unless properly implemented
39
Q

What is intellectual property?

A

Refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce.

40
Q

How is intellectual property law a benefit for advanced countries?

A

Protects competitive advantage achieved by investing in technology

More protection for offshoring (cheaper)

More profit/tax from higher value goods

41
Q

How is intellectual property law a problem for advanced countries?

A

Keeps prices of goods high

42
Q

How is intellectual property law a benefit for emerging nations?

A

Incentives to develop own IP and reduce dependence

Encourages off-shoring/outsourcing

43
Q

How is intellectual property law a problem for emerging nations?

A

Prevents countries from competing on an equal basis (less wealth generated)

High cost of tech/pharma e.g. Covid medication

44
Q

How is intellectual property law a benefit for developing countries?

A

Encourages off-shoring/outsourcing

Increases demand for lower-price products by keeping prices high

45
Q

How is intellectual property law a problem for developing countries?

A

Prevents countries from competing on an equal basis (less wealth generated)

High cost of tech/pharma e.g. Covid medication

46
Q

What country has long been accused by the US government of abusing TRIPS agreement?

A

Thailand - Bangkok’s counterfeit culture costs a fraction of the normal retail price

47
Q

Assess to what extent IPRs increase the sphere of influence of a superpower.

A
47
Q

Why are tensions around the Arctic likely to rise in the future?

A

Because climate change is thawing more of the Arctic Ocean - drilling for oil and gas is increasingly possible further into the Arctic.

48
Q

How does China plan to exert greater influence within the Asia?

A

Maintain contentious territorial claims in the South China Sea, using the argument of the extent of its EEZ

49
Q

Why should China’s ambitions not be overestimated?

A

Unlike Russia, it is not involved in military conflicts in Syria or elsewhere. It does take part in UN peacekeeping missions, but its military ambitions are focused on supporting its economy.

50
Q

Define exclusive economic zone (EEZ)

A

An area of the ocean, generally extending 200 nautical miles (230 miles) beyond a nation’s territorial sea, within which a coastal nation has jurisdiction over both living and nonliving resources.

51
Q

What happened to Russia’s sphere of influence following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and why?

A

Many Eastern European countries (e.g Baltic states) felt a desire for independence and to break away from Russian influence. Many of the Eastern European states closer to the EU looked westwards for economic assistance.

52
Q

How is Russia attempting to re-establish itself?

A

Russia has opted for direct influence. Redeveloped former Soviet naval and weapons bases. Wants to use hard power.

53
Q

How have Russia used hard power to re-establish itself?

A

In 2008, Russia effectively annexed the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia after a short war, and as of 2016, continues to occupy them.

In 2014, seemingly in response to Ukrainian moves to join the EU/NATO, Russia annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea, significantly raising political and military tension in Europe.

54
Q

Why can tensions arise over the acquisition of physical resources?

A

Ownership is disputed and disagreement exists over exploitation.

55
Q

The global system of intellectual property rights can be undermined by…

A

counterfeiting, which strains trade relations and TNC investment

56
Q

How much does counterfeiting cost G20 countries?

A

US$85 billion a year

57
Q

Problems with counterfeit goods?

A

Many companies are unable to sustain investment in new technology, discouraging innovation

Trade relationships have become strained e.g Nigeria resentment towards China because of fires caused by Chinese electrical goods

58
Q

Why has counterfeiting grown?

A

Because global manufacturing has shifted to countries where intellectual property rights are poorly protected.

In addition, times of global recession can tempt companies to cut costs by using fake goods as part of their supply chain, harming legitimate businesses.

59
Q

What’s a patent?

A

An intellectual property right to protect inventions.

SUPERPOWERS (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions