Polarity in Geopolitics Flashcards
What is acculturation?
where 2 countries interact and the dominant culture transfers to the subordinate culture
What is colonial?
refers to the control of territories conquered by a range of European powers form 1600-1900
Ruled by one force
what was the cold war?
from 1945-1990
a period of tension between capitalist USA and communist USSR
(where nuclear weaponry was perfected)
what is uni-polar?
there is where the world is dominated by one superpower
what is a bi-polar world?
where the are 2 superpowers but with different ideologies
typically results in tension
what is an example of a bi-polar world?
USA and USSR during the cold war
what is multi-polar world?
complex situation where many powers compete in differing regions of the world
Each continent or region may have its own power vying for superpower status
what is the best example of a uni-polar world?
the British empire
When did the colonial era end?
quickly after WW2
when had most colonial powers lost their colonies?
by the 1970’s
what were the reasons that colonies started to end?
post war bankruptcy
reconstruction was needed at home
anti-colonial movements
how did post war bankruptcy end the colonies?
money was too short to defend colonies
why did reconstruction at home lead to an end of colonies?
this was priority over colonies so men who would defend colonies moved back
how did anti-colonial movements lead to an end of the colonies?
many grew and the demand for independence couldn’t be ignored (didn’t have the manpower to control/ peace keep)
where was the anti-colonial movement especially strong?
India’s movement
what period did the cold war span over?
1945-1990
What was the reason for the cold war?
USA increased its military in the aim of containing the USSR and the spread of communism
What were the human resources of the USA and USSR?
USA- population 287 million 1989
USSR- population 291 million 1991
what are the physical resources of USA and USSR?
USA- self sufficient with most raw material: oil importer
USSR- self sufficient with most raw material: oil exporter
what are/were the economic systems in USA and USSR?
USA- capitalist free market economy, global TNCS
USSR- socialist, centrally planned economy, most businesses were state owned
What are/were the political systems in USA and USSR?
USA- democracy, free elections every four years
USSR- single party state no free elections (dictatorship)
Who were the allies of USA in cold war?
western Europe through NATO
strong economic and military ties to japan and south Korea
who were the allies of the USSR during the cold war?
Eastern Europe (Warsaw pact countries)
Alliances with Cuba+ other developing nations
what was the military power of the USA during the cold war?
worlds largest navy and most powerful air force with ring of bases surrounding USSR
Large nuclear arsenal
Global intelligence network (CIA)
