human superpowers Flashcards
what is a superpower
is a nation with the means to project its power and influence anywhere in the world eg USA
what is an emerging superpower
recognition of the rising, primarily economic, influence of a nation or union of nations- which has steadily increased their global affairs
what is a hyperpower
An unchallenged superpower that is dominant in all aspects of power
what is soft power
is the power of persuasion.
some countries can make others follow their lead by making policies attractive and appealing
what is hard power
getting your own way by force, threat or direct action eg bombing or military
what is smart power
a combination of soft and hard power to get their own way
what is economic power
the use of economic aid or favourable trade agreements to influence decisions
what is the most important superpower
economic
what does a powerful economy give nations
the wealth to build and maintain a powerful military, exploit natural resources and develop human resources through education
how is a military used in 2 ways
- the threat of military action is a powerful bargaining chip
- military force can be used to achieve geopolitical goals. some forms of military power, such as blue water navy, drone, missile + satellite technology can be deployed globally and reach distant places
how is politics important in superpowers
the ability to influence others through diplomacy to ‘get your way’ is important and an exercised through international organisations such as the UN and World Trade Organisations
how is culture important in superpowers
includes how appealing a nations way of life, values and ideology are to others, and is often exercised through film, the arts and food
how are having resources important for superpowers
can be in the form of physicak resources (fossil fuels, minerals,land) but also human resources. the latter includes the level of education and skills in a nation, but also the sheer numbers of people (‘demographic weight’)
what is sharp power
manipulation through interference in political elections and media opinions
what are the sources of power (6)
- economic- large GDP gives countries the wealth needed to be a global power
- political-leading, in like UN
- military- nuclear weapon to threaten a country’s will on others
- cultural- having ideas that others find appealing
- demographic-power requires people
- national resources - fossil fuels
how do you maintain power (3)
- international influence has to be maintained
- superpowers start with hard to threaten and be remembered
- NATO is a military alliance providing the USA with allies in North America, Europe and middle east
what is a unipolar world
one dominated by one superpower
what is a bipolar world
two superpowers with opposing ideologies
what is a multipopular world
many superpowers and emerging powers compete
who had power in 1800-1919
unipolar -dominant British Empire
who had power in 1919-1939
multi-popular- inter war period
who had power in 1945-1990
bi-polar- USA VS USSR (cold war)
who had power in 1990-2030
uni polar - USA globalisation
what is the heartland
whoever controls the heartland controls the world island then the whole world
what is Neocolonial
former colonies that have left
Neocolonial mechanisms of power (5)
- Military alliances between developing nations and superpowers make the developing nation dependent on military aid and equipment
- development aid comes with ‘string attatched’ forcing the recipient to agree to policies and spending priorities suggested by the aid doner
- investment from abroad may create jobs and wealth, but be dependent on the receiving country following ‘friendly procedures’
- low commodity export prices contrast with high prices for imported goods from developed countries, inhibiting development
- developing countries borrow money from develped ones, and then end up in a debtor
what is cultural hegemony
is the idea that rule is maintained through ideological means. through social institutions which allow those in power to strongly influence the vaules, ideas and expectations of society eg westernisation
what is the global shift
shift in the world’s economic centre of gravity
what is G20
made up of 19 countries and the EU includes some potential emerging powers
what is BRICS
Brazil, Russia, India, China, (South Africa, but is insignificant economy) as a group of emerging powers
what are the strengths and weknesses of brazil
s
* energy independent in oil + biofuels
* growing middle class and maturing consumer economy
w
* small military
what are the strengths and weknesses of russia
s
* a nuclear power with very large military capacity
* permanent seat on the UN security council
w
* ageing and declining population
* extreme level of inequality
what are the strengths and weknesses of India
s
* youthful population
* nuclear armed
w
* poor transport and energy infrastructure
* very high levels of poverty
what are the strengths and weknesses of China
s
* highly educated population
* modern infrasturcture in terms of transport
w
* will soon have issues with ageing population
* major pollution issues in terms of air and water quality
* relies on imported raw materials
what is Bowstows modernisation theory
is a 5 stage model that outlines 5 phases that countries must pass through to develop and gain more power
what are the 5 stages of Bowstow’s modernisation theory
- traditional society= subsistence farming
- preconditions for take-off= commercial exploitation of primary production
- take-off= urbanisation +industrialisation +growth of manufacturing
- drive to maturity= specialisation + innovation +investment
- age of mass consumption= highly sophisticated society
criticisms of Bowstows modernisation theory
that countries dont have to go through each stage to develop and gain power other countries can lend resources so they can skip stages
what is Frank’s Dependency theory
It split the world into developed core countries and underdeveloped peripheral countries. suggested that the relationship between the core and periphery helps to maintain and increase the power of the core countries whilst the peripheral countries remain weak.
criticisms of Frank’s Dependency theory
newly industrialised countries have developed. eg Taiwan many Asian NICs received significant ecenomic aid and political support from the USA to help them develop
that countries have to be underdeveloped so that core can still have power
What is Wallerstein’s world systems model
3 tier model with the core, periphery and semi-periphery. He argued that cycles of growth and stagnation allow some countries to shift between the tiers.
criticisms of Wallerstein’s world systems model
have to be connected countries to work
what is the aim for a variety of inter-governmental organisations
set up institutions to prevents future wars as well as stabilise and boost the global economy
what is Bretton woods,USA
conference 1944, saw the creation of the IMF and world bank
what is Doros, Switzerland
Home to the annual meeting of the world Economic Forum
the current global economic system has been dominated by which market
free-market capitalist economy system
what is World Bank
makes development loans to developing countries, but within a ‘free-market’ model that promotes exports, trade, industrialisation and private businesses, which benefits large developed-world TNC’s
what is International Monetary Fund (IMF)
promotes global economic security and stability, and assists countries to reform their economies. Economic reforms often mean more open access to developing economies for TNC’s
what is World Economic Forum (WEF)
A swiss non-profit organisations that promotes globalisation and free trade via its annual meeting at daves, which brings together the global business and political elite
What is World Trade Organisations (WTO)
IGO that regulates global trade. Established in 1995, it has brockered many agreements aimed at promoting open trade and reducing protectionism. Previously known as the General Agreements on Tariffs and Trade.
what is a logarithmic graph
a graph that the y axis doubles every increment due to it being used to compare values that are enormously different in size so that any minor differences in the curve would be hard to spot
TNCs with the top wealth
- walmart- $482billion- USA
- state grid- $330billion- china
- petrochina- $299 billion- china
what are the two types of TNC
Publicly traded TNCs- whose shares are owned by numerous stakeholders (usually other TNCs banks and large financial institutions such as pension funds) around the world eg Tesco + Disney
state-owned TNCs- that are majority or wholly owned by the government (dominant in emerging superpower countries) eg bank of england
how have TNCs come to dominate the global economy
- their economies of scale mean they can out compete smaller companies and, in many cases, take them over.
- TNCs influence government policies
- spread of western culture
how do TNCs have a cultural impart
they bring influence to the countries they originate from
how do TNCs influence cultural globalisation
adapts the menu or products to suit tastes and diets of the country
what is NATO responsible for
safeguarding the Allies freedom and security by political and military means
What is NAFTA aim and responsibilities
to creat a free trade zone between the US, canada and Mexico
lifting tariffs on the majority of goods produced by the signatory nations
what is ASEANs aim
to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region
what did the USA do to intervene with the Bosnian war 1992-5
what happened to China in the 1950s
they had a famine= lack of food
agreeing to cut co2 emissions could limit their economic growth
they have put heavy investment into the production of solar panels
what are the EUs environmental concerns
- encourag farmers to grow food intensively, using chemicsl fertilisers and pesticides
- granting agricultural subsudies
what are russias environmental concerns
- taken a lead in reducing greenhouse emissions by using nanotechnology, energy-efficient laws and other mandatory changes to energy consumption and production
- has a surplus of carbon credits to trade
- the production and export of natural gas provide a source of political power
what is the pressure of food in an emerging country
- from the demand for new food types
- land once used for staple food grains will be converted to produce meant and dairy products
- without new land prices can rise, squeezing the poorest
what is the pressure on water in an emerging country
- some emerging powers already have water supply problem eg India
- in India by 2030 60% of areas facing water scarcity
*
what is the pressure on energy in an emerging country
- by 2030 global oil demand is likely to rise by 30%
- meeting thsi demand may lead to price rises and or supply sjortages
- countries with own domestic supplies (Brazil, Russia) are liley to bein a better position than those relying on imports
what is the pressure on resources in an emerging country
- demand for rare earth minerals could increase prices
- the demand for lithium-based batteries is very high and could be hard to meet in the future
- even more basic metals are at risk of supply shortages and dramatic price changes
what is capitalism
an economic and political system where trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state
what is neoliberalism
advocates privatisaion, free trade and reduced state intervention
what is westernisation
global spread of western ideas, beliefs and practices
what is culture
the ideas, customs, beliefs, and behaviours of a group of people
what is geostrategy
strategy to deal with geopolitical problems
what is the spheres of influence
- a physical region over which a country believes is has economics, military, cultural, or political rights
- they extend beyond the borders of a country
why are some areas contested
- superpowers are fuelled by resources, includes human (innovation, skill) and physical resources
some areas are contested due to: - land border between the two countries is in dispute
- the ownership of a landmass is in dispute
- the extent of a nations exclusive economics zone (EEZ) is in dispute
what is an exclusive economic zone (EEZ)
- the area of ocean extending 200 nautical miles beyond the coastline, over which a nation controls the sea and sub-sea resources
what is the beauford sea
a 100 square mile aera in the arctic circle
its said to be rich in oil and gas but its dispute- so no one has a drilling lease
what is the lomonsov ridge
giant undersea landmass extends form russia to greenland
what is intellectual property (IP)
refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works
why does the US and China fight over IP
- China accounts for 10% of IP in America
- the annual IP theft cost the US economy between $225 billion to$600 billion
what are the advantages of intellectual property
- without IP, innovations and ideas can be stolen and used by others
- the cost of developing new medicines or communication technologies could not be recouped through selling products if others could simply copy the idea
disadvantages of intellectual property
- IP requires users of a product to pay royalties (fees) to the inventor, which is a cost to developing countries
- IP holders do not have a duty to make a new invention available; in theory atleast, they could prevent a new medicine being made
- the system can create a monopoly where a patent holder can charge what they like for a new product, denying it to some people on the basis of price
what are China’s actions of power
- forced technology transfers- allow short term scale or use of technology in China but then in the long term China switches to creating this product and dominating markets
- china offers subsidies to its state-owned businesses in order to undercut current prices in the market and create dominance
what are the implications of TNCs
- TNCs may be reluctant to invest in China, knowing that their profits are likely to be reduced by counterfeiting
- lack of action by the chinese authorities on IP issues might suggest its government is less likely to co-operate on other issues of international law
- the possibility of trade agreements being made is limited if one side believes the other will not ‘play by the rules’
what is colonial
refers to the direct control exerted over territories conquered mainly by the European powers in the period 1600-1900
what is neo-colonial
the indirect actions by which developed countries exercise a degree of control over the development of their former colonies. this can be achieved through varied means including conditions attatched to aid and loans, cultural influence and military
what are neo-colonial challenges
- Much of the FDI brings only temporary construction jobs; there are a few long-term jobs in mechanised mines and oil fields
- skilled and technical jobs are often filled by Chinese migrant workers, estimated to number 200,000 in 2014
- Aid from China is tied to FDI: allow investment and china provides some aid
- Cheap chinese imports (clothes, shoes, etc) have undercut local producers and forced them out of business
- infrastructure investments unsure china can export raw materials as cheapy and efficiently as possible
what are development opportunities
- china has invester heavily in roads, railways and ports to export raw materials- infrastructure that can be used by Africams themselves
- chinese finance has fucded seventeen major HEP projects since 2000, adding 6780 MW of electricity to the continent by 2013
- vital jobs are created, especially by large industrial, transport and energy prokects, which also modernise the economy
- chinese factories and mines bring modern working practices, and technology, to Africa
- Investment deals are often accompanied by aid, so the benefits of chinese money are more widely spread
when was the debt crisis
2007-08 global financieal crisis dealt a severe blow to the EU and, a lesser extent the USA
the cost of bailing out collapsing banks and then collapsing countries has made the EU inward looking
what are japans and the EUs imports and exports
EU and Japan have concluded an Economic Partnership Agreement aswell as a more general strategic partnership agreement
imports from Japan to EU are dominated by machinery, motor vehicles and chemicals
EU exports to Japan dominated by chemicals, motor vehicles , machinery and food and drink
how to maintain superpower status (5)
must maintain a global military power
1. naval power
2. nuclear wepons
3. air power
4. intelligence services
5. space explorations
what is China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
is a massive global infrastructure and development strategy launched by China to improve international trade and investment links.
what are the 2 components of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
- overland silk road
connects western Asia with Indochina and Southeast Asia - maritime silk road
connects southeast Asia to the Indian ocean, East Africa and Mediterranean Sea
what does China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) involve
the BRI involves infrastructure development (eg roads, railways, ports), investment in resource extraction, and trade facilitation, all aimed at strengthening China’s influence globally
what is the middle east
is an ethnically and culturally diverse region
characterised by comparatively low levels of economic liberalisationand high levels of authorisation
what reasons are there for conflict
- the middle east has complex geopolitical relatins combined with the supplpy of vital energy resources. This attracts the main players in world politics to intervene in tensions and conflicts accross the region
- freshwaater in the middle east mostly comes from rivers several rivers lost half of their annual flow when temperatures exceed over 50° due to the building of dams
why is there so much conflict
- religion: most of the region is muslim but sunni (saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates) and Shia (Iran) sects are in conflict with each other
- resources: although rich in fossil fuels, the region is short of water and farmland, meaning territorial conflict over resources is more likely
- oil +gas: 65% of the world’s crude oil exports originate in the region; the oil and gas reserves have long been a prize worth fighting over
- youth: many countries have young populations with high unemployment and relatively low education levels: the potential for young adults to become disaffected is high
- governance: most of the countries are relatively new states, at least in their current form; democracy is either weak or non-existent; religious and ethnic allegiances are often stronger than national identity ones
- history: many international borders in the region are arbitrany, they were drawn in a map by colonial powers and do not reflect the actual geography of religious as cultural groups
the future balance of global powers in 2050 is uncertain what are the range of possible outcomes
- unipolar- continued USA dominance
- bipolar
- multi-polar
