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Geography > Superpowers > Flashcards

Superpowers Flashcards

Hard and soft power, alliances, IGOs and global influence

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1
Q

What is a superpower?

A

A country with dominating power and influence

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2
Q

3 types of superpowers

A
  • Hegemon
  • Emerging power
  • Regional power
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3
Q

What is a hegemon?

A

A supreme power or a country which is dominant over others. Their power extends to several different countries

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4
Q

Which 1 country claims to be a hegemon?

A

USA

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5
Q

What is an emerging power?

A

A country that has increasing power but is not yet dominant

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6
Q

Examples of emerging powers

A

Brazil, India, Russia, China (BRIC nations)

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7
Q

What is a regional power?

A

A country that exerts influence over other countries in the same region

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8
Q

Examples of regional powers

A

In Asia, China and India are regional powers and may potentially become superpowers

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9
Q

What is economic power?

A

The size and influence of a country’s economy

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10
Q

3 largest economies in the world

A

USA, China, Japan

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11
Q

The world’s top 10 economies have __% of the global GDP

A

65%

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12
Q

World’s five largest economies

A

USA, China, Japan, Germany, UK

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13
Q

Why is it important that superpowers have strong currencies?

A

People want to invest into a currency which is considered ‘safe’ with minimal risk

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14
Q

What is the most powerful currency in the world?

A

US dollar

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15
Q

Why do superpowers get lots of FDI?

A

Investing in a TNC is much more likely to make profit in a superpower because the consumer market is so large

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16
Q

Example of a TNC from China?

A

Alibaba group

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17
Q

Why do superpowers tend to be large countries?

A
  • Large area spreads its influence further
  • Access to more natural resources
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18
Q

What are some smaller superpowers?

A

UK, Japan
Arguably their empires helped to spread their influence

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19
Q

What is the world’s largest country (by land)?

A

Russia

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20
Q

How many people live in Russia?

A

145m

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21
Q

What percentage of the world’s landmass is Russian territory?

A

11%

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22
Q

Why is it important that Russia has access to the Arctic

A

Access to untapped natural resources

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23
Q

What is the name of the state-controlled oil company in Russia?

A

Rosneft

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24
Q

What is the 3rd largest country on Earth by land mass?

A

USA

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25
Q

What natural resources does the US have lots of?

A

Oil and steel

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26
Q

Why is it advantageous that the US has a large population?

A

Large domestic market

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27
Q

GDP of Japan

A

$5trn

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28
Q

Examples of transnational organisations that have global influence?

A
  • EU
  • OECD
  • G20
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29
Q

What is the G20?

A

A ‘club’ of the world’s 20 largest economies

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30
Q

What percentage of the world’s population lives in a G20 country?

A

Around 50%

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31
Q

How was military power measured historically?

A

Number of troops or ships

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32
Q

How is military power measured now?

A

Defence spending

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33
Q

Why is the number of troops a country has not as important in determining military power?

A

As technology has advanced, the best militaries have access to the most high-tech equipment

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34
Q

What countries have nuclear weapons?

A

China, UK, USA, India, Iran, Pakistan, France, Israel, North Korea (?)

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35
Q

What is a ‘mutually assured destruction’?

A

The result of two nuclear superpowers having a nuclear war

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36
Q

Example of a TNC that spreads American culture

A

Disney

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37
Q

What demographic characteristic has allowed China to become a superpower?

A

Large population

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38
Q

Population of China

A

1.4bn

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39
Q

Population of USA

A

326m

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40
Q

Why is having a large population advantageous to a country?

A
  • Access to labour
  • Access to large domestic market
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41
Q

Example of a powerful country with a small population

A

Singapore (5.6m)

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42
Q

What natural resource allowed the UK to industrialise?

A

Coal

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43
Q

What natural resources is the USA rich in?

A

Iron/steel and oil

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44
Q

Why is having access to natural resources useful?

A

Countries can become rich from trading them with places without the resource

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45
Q

Example of a poor place with plenty of natural resources

A

Africa

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46
Q

Example of an African country with lots of oil

A

Nigeria

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47
Q

Why is Africa not rich despite its natural resources?

A
  • Colonisation took much of the wealth
  • Corruption and instability
  • Limited infrastructure
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48
Q

Year of MacKinder’s Geo-Strategic Location Theory

A

1904

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49
Q

MacKinder’s Geo-Strategic Location Theory

A
  • Whoever controlled Europe and Asia would control the world
  • This is because they are the biggest landmass
  • He believed physical size was essential to superpower status
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50
Q

Where was MacKinder’s “pivot” area?

A

A stretch from Eastern Europe into Russia. He believed whoever controlled this ‘heartland’ would be the global superpower as they control the middle of Eurasia.

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51
Q

According to MacKinder’s theory, who would be global superpower?

A

Russia

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52
Q

How did MacKinder say the ‘heartland’ could shift over time?

A

If sea power became more dominant, countries like the UK with strong navies could dominate the world.

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53
Q

Where was the global economic centre pre-1800?

A

China

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54
Q

Where is the ‘pivot’ point in the 21st century?

A

Moving towards China as it grows in influence

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55
Q

What is soft power?

A

When a country influences through culture, politics or economics (not forceful)

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56
Q

What is hard power?

A

When a country influences through coercive measures. This is usually economic sanctions or military force.

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57
Q

Example of the USA imposing economic sanctions

A

Sanctions were placed on Iran due to their nuclear program

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58
Q

What process has made soft power more important?

A

Globalisation

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59
Q

What countries were the main colonial powers?

A

Netherlands, Britain, Spain, France and Portugal

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60
Q

How did the British Empire benefit from colonialism?

A

They extracted other countries’ natural resources for their own economic gain

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61
Q

Example of the British Empire exerting hard power?

A

In 1919, at the Jallinwala Bagh Massacre, 380 Indian protesters were killed by British forces

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62
Q

What is neo-colonialism?

A

Where less-developed countries are still indirectly controlled by superpowers through economic, cultural and political methods (soft power)

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63
Q

How is China trying to grow its soft power?

A

By investing in infrastructure in developing countries, particularly Africa

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64
Q

Example of Chinese-African infrastructure project

A

1,400km Nigerian coastal railway is being built by a nationalised Chinese engineering company

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65
Q

What two superpowers were involved in the Cold War?

A

Soviet Union and USA

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66
Q

What alliances formed during the Cold War?

A
  • NATO
  • Warsaw Pact
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67
Q

How did the USA spread their influence following WW2?

A

The Marshall Plan gave $12bn financial aid to countries damaged by the war.

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68
Q

Why did the USA introduce the Marshall Plan?

A

To stop the spread of communism. They believed poverty was the root cause of communism.

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69
Q

What two areas of the world did the USA invest in following WW2 to stop the spread of communism?

A
  • Europe
  • East Asia (Japan, Korea, etc)
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70
Q

What is McCarthyism?

A

The act of accusing people of being communist supporters without much evidence. This happened lots in the USA in the 1950s.

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71
Q

Example of a post-WW2 hard power invasion by the Soviet Union

A

The Hungarian Revolution in 1956. The leader was executed and communism installed.

72
Q

What event marked the end of the Cold War?

A

The fall of the Berlin wall in 1989

73
Q

What are the BRIC nations?

A

Brazil, Russia, India, China
Emerging economies, potential superpowers

74
Q

Why has the USA struggled to maintain its superpower status in the 21st century?

A
  • Emergence of BRIC nations
  • Russia is re-emerging following the collapse of the USSR in 1991
75
Q

How far behind are the BRIC nations compared to the USA?

A

The combined economies of the four BRIC nations is only 92% of the USA’s GDP

76
Q

What country is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases?

A

China

77
Q

How many Chinese people were lifted out of poverty 2012-2017?

A

68m

78
Q

China’s gini coefficient rating

A

0.474
(A reasonably unequal society)

79
Q

Despite both China and the USA having high GDP, do they have comparative GDP per capita?

A

No - China’s GDP per capita is only 10% of the USA’s.

80
Q

Top 3 militaries in the world
(Source: 2018 Global Fire Power Review)

A
  1. USA
  2. Russia
  3. China
81
Q

How many aircrafts does China have?

A

3,035

82
Q

How many aircrafts does the USA have?

A

13,363

83
Q

What is a blue water navy?

A

A navy with a global reach

84
Q

Example of Chinese culture spread into the West

A

Chinese food is extremely popular

85
Q

Fertility rate in China

A

1.57 - significantly below replacement level so the population is ageing

86
Q

Example of air pollution affecting Chinese citizens’ wellbeing

A

PE lessons had to be moved indoors so children weren’t exposed to the air pollution for too long

87
Q

Why is Brazil the regional power in South America?

A

They produce half the region’s GDP

88
Q

What rate is Brazil’s economy growing?

A

2.3%

89
Q

What economic challenges does Brazil potentially face?

A

Their economy is largely based on primary exports (e.g. beef), which is less stable than manufacturing

90
Q

Economic advantages of Brazil

A
  • Huge supply of natural resources
  • Self-sufficient in food and energy
  • 10th largest oil producer
91
Q

Why is Brazil’s military not as strong as other nations?

A

Their military spending as a percentage of GDP has been falling since 1985

92
Q

Political characteristics of Brazil

A
  • Unstable, many protests
  • Strikes disrupt industry (e.g. in 2016 truckers went on strike)
  • Lots of government corruption
93
Q

What are some cultural exports of Brazil?

A
  • Sport (2014 World Cup, 2016 Olympics)
  • Rio carnival
94
Q

Why does language limit Brazil?

A

Portuguese is not widely spoken which limits its cultural export ability

95
Q

What are some demographic advantages of Brazil?

A

Young population (median age 30)

96
Q

Why is having an economy overdependent on oil and gas a problem for Russia?

A

Makes it very vulnerable to price fluctuations

97
Q

Examples of Russia involving itself in world conflicts

A
  • Played a major role in the Syrian civil war
  • One of world’s largest arms exporters. Sent arms to Nigeria to combat Boko Haram
98
Q

Problems with Russian military

A
  • Aging equipment, much of which is from USSR times
  • Has half the number of active personnel as China
99
Q

What year did Russia hold the World Cup?

A

2018

100
Q

World Systems Theory

A
  • 1974
  • Developed by Wallerstein
  • Core and periphery
101
Q

What is the core in the World Systems Theory?

A
  • Core areas drive the world’s economy
  • They import raw materials and turn them into goods
  • Through this process they make a profit
102
Q

What is the periphery in the World Systems theory?

A

Raw materials come from the periphery and these countries lose out

103
Q

How does the World Systems theory explain unequal trading patterns?

A
  • Since the colonial era, the core has benefitted from the periphery
  • The Western core consumes 75% of goods and services
104
Q

What is the ‘positive feedback loop’ described in Dependency Theory?

A

Developing nations cannot add value to the products they sell as they do not have the infrastructure or expertise

105
Q

What country has promoted Modernisation Theory?

A

USA

106
Q

What is Modernisation Theory?

A

A theory that if you reform institutions into capitalism this will fix world poverty

107
Q

What is the aim of the Bretton Woods institutions?

A

Set up following WWII to promote capitalism and focused on currency stability and development loans

108
Q

What is One Belt One Road?

A

China investing in rail and sea infrastructure in countries like Myanmar and Kazakhstan through loans

109
Q

Aim of One Belt One Road?

A
  • Earn money on loan interest
  • Chinese businesses earn money from the projects
  • Better trade infrastructure increases Chinese trade with its neighbours
110
Q

Example of a One Belt One Road project

A

In Hanoi, Vietnam, new airport and rail systems were created using Chinese funding

111
Q

Why are some people critical of One Belt One Road?

A

They fear China is trying to spread their influence throughout Asia to increase their power
(India stopped supporting it in 2019)

112
Q

When did Pakistan develop nuclear weapons?

A

1998

113
Q

Example of a country that has developed nuclear weapons to increase its military power?

A

Pakistan - mostly because their neighbours India also have them

114
Q

What does OPEC stand for?

A

Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries

115
Q

Example of OPEC’s influence

A

In 1973 they reduced the amount of oil they produced which raised oil prices around the world

116
Q

Aim of the IMF?

A
  • Stabalise global currencies
  • Provide loans to developing countries
117
Q

What is a Structural Adjustment Program (SAP)?

A
  • When the IMF gives a loan to a developing country, they must agree to one
  • Cause a country to impose more free-market capitalism and cut funds to public services
118
Q

Aim of the World Bank?

A
  • Provides loans to developing countries
  • Provides finance following natural disasters and in humanitarian emergencies
119
Q

Long-term goal of the World Bank example

A

Decrease number of people living on less than $1.90 a day to no more than 3%

120
Q

What is the World Economic Forum (WEF)?

A
  • Not-for-profit Swiss organisation
  • Aim is to bring together businesses and governments to serve their mutual interests
121
Q

Aim of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)?

A

Ensure free trade is easy between countries so capitalism can thrive

122
Q

How many members are in the WTO?

A

164
(notable exceptions include North Korea)

123
Q

Disney was the most valuable media company in the world in 2018. Why is this important for the US?

A

Through spreading their cultural values in media they are exerting soft power

124
Q

What is a patent?

A

A document granting a person/company exclusive rights to intellectual property (e.g. a product they have created). Anyone else who wants to sell the product must pay royalties to the patent holder.

125
Q

How many of the top 10 TNCs were American in 2006?

A

6/10
This had fallen to 3/10 in 2015

126
Q

How many of the top 10 TNCs were American in 2006 and 2015?

A

6/10
This had fallen to 3/10 in 2015

127
Q

How much aid did the USA give Haiti following the 2010 earthquake?

A

$5.1bn

128
Q

Impact of US aid on Haiti’s health

A
  • 164 new clinics
  • 72,000 children vaccinated
129
Q

21st century example of the USA acting as the ‘global police’?

A

Military intervention in Afghanistan

130
Q

What year was NATO formed?

A

1949

131
Q

How many military personnel from NATO are currently active around the world?

A

Around 20,000

132
Q

What is the criteria needed to enter NATO?

A

Defence spending must be 2% of GDP

133
Q

Examples of military alliances

A
  • NATO
  • ANZUS (USA, Australia and NZ)
134
Q

Examples of economic alliances

A
  • EU
  • NAFTA (USA, Mexico, Canada)
135
Q

What is the aim of the UN security council?

A

To prevent conflict and maintain international peace

136
Q

Who are the 5 permanent members on the UN security council?

A

USA
UK
France
China
Russia

137
Q

What is a problem with the UN security council?

A

Russia and China are permanent members and can veto any action that could harm their global influence and status

138
Q

Examples of current UN peacekeeping missions

A
  • Haiti
  • DRC
  • Middle East
139
Q

What is the UN Court of Justice?

A

A court to sort out disputes with UN member countries

140
Q

Who is the world’s biggest consumer of energy?

A

China

141
Q

8.8m tonnes of plastic in the oceans could be traced back to which country?

A

China
(the US only 0.3m tonnes)

142
Q

How much did China’s cereal consumption rise 2000-2018?

A

364%

143
Q

In what years has the price of wheat doubled?

A

2000-17

144
Q

What was the EU’s 2020 climate goal?

A
  • Cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20%
  • 20% energy consumption from renewables
145
Q

How has Russia been affected by climate change?

A

Extreme weather events are becoming much more common and economic damage is expected to reach $4.3bn a year for the Moscow region

146
Q

How did Trump reduce the US’ commitment to reducing climate change?

A

In May 2018 he ended the $10m per year program by NASA to monitor global carbon emissions

147
Q

Why is it bad that the demand for meat is growing?

A

Raising cattle releases methane and is also very water intensive

148
Q

How much did China’s meat consumption increase 2000-18?

A

99%

149
Q

What is an Exclusive Economic Zone?

A

An area (including the ocean) which a country claims is their economic area and can therefore exploit resources in that area

150
Q

UN Convention on Law of the Seas

A

Says that a country can control the sea bed and resources within 200 nautical miles of its coastline

151
Q

Why is there tension between superpowers over the Arctic?

A
  • The EEZs overlap and many different countries claim the same area
  • There will be a future need to exploit oil and gas in these areas
152
Q

What percentage of counterfeit goods found in 2017 were from China?

A

88%

153
Q

Why is counterfeiting bad for superpower relations?

A

TNCs are less likely to invest in a country if they think their products will be exploited

154
Q

How much is the counterfeit goods market worth?

A

Half a trillion dollars a year

155
Q

Why did the EU put a tariff on Chinese steel in 2018?

A

They claim Chinese companies were selling steel in Europe for less than the cost it takes to make them

156
Q

What year did Russia annex Crimea from the Ukraine?

A

2014

157
Q

What are the names of the two island groups in the South China Sea that have territorial disputes with many countries?

A

Paracels
Spratlys

158
Q

Why do countries have territorial disputes over tiny, uninhabited islands?

A
  • They are strategically useful for military
  • They may have resources that can be exploited
  • Expands a country’s EEZ
159
Q

What resources does China hope to gain from Africa?

A
  • Oil
  • Copper
  • Cobalt
  • Iron ore
160
Q

How much was Chinese-African trade worth in 2014?

A

$220bn

161
Q

Why does China invest in African infrastructure?

A

To ensure that transport links are good so that Africa can export raw materials to China

162
Q

What are the environmental impacts of China’s expansion into Africa?

A

It often treats poorer African nations as “pollution havens”, ruining countries which are desperate for FDI

163
Q

Which African countries have had railroads funded by China?

A

Ethiopia, Kenya

164
Q

How many Chinese people have moved to Africa since 2005?

A

1m

165
Q

Which area of China wishes to be an independent country?

A

Tibet

166
Q

How long is the Chinese-funded coastal railway in Nigeria?

A

1,400km

167
Q

How did the US create tension in the Middle East in 2018?

A

Trump said he’d move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem

168
Q

What was the environmental impact of the 2003 Iraq War?

A
  • Toxic smoke was produced by oil fires
  • Lots of fuel used: enough to supply 1.1bn people
  • Ammunition used contained depleted uranium which contaminated thousands of hectares
169
Q

What is being ‘structurally unemployed’?

A

When you have a limited skill set as an employee (e.g. being a miner) and your industry closes

170
Q

Examples of financial problems for developed countries

A
  • Deindustrialisation
  • Debt
  • Managing complex economy: 2008 financial crash
171
Q

What expenses come with a recession for governments?

A
  • Higher debt (interest repayments)
  • Higher unemployment payouts
172
Q

How do superpowers spend their defence budgets?

A
  • Military
  • Intelligence
  • Nuclear weapon storage and development
  • Space exploration
173
Q

How much did the UK pay in 2016 to renew Trident (UK’s nuclear deterrent)?

A

$20bn

174
Q

What country did economists predict would replace the US as a superpower in the 1980s?

A

Japan

175
Q

What are three potential patterns of power for the future world?

A
  • Uni-polar: US dominance
  • Bi-polar: US and China compete
  • Multi-polar: US, China, Russia, India all compete
176
Q

What financial event prevented Japan from becoming a superpower?

A

The 1997 Asian financial crisis

Geography (8 decks)

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