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A-level Geography > Superpowers > Flashcards

Superpowers Flashcards

1
Q

superpower

A

a nation with the ability to project its influence anywhere in the world and be a dominant global force

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2
Q

blue water navy

A

deep water ocean navy

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3
Q

ideology

A

a set of beliefs, values and opinions held by many people in a society. These determine what is considered acceptable behaviour

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4
Q

5 pillars of superpower status

A
  • Economic – A large economy enables a nation to control trade. They can also use their
    money to invest in a strong military force and exploit natural resources. They may also own the debt of other nations thereby having power over them.
  • Military – A nation can use their military to threaten or invade other countries (hard power) or to achieve geo-political goals (such as UN Peacekeeping Missions).
  • Political – The ability to influence other countries in a way which suits their
    desires or match their political systems. Many
    states may force their ideology through policies.
  • Cultural – Projecting a nation’s cultural values on others can change the way other populations think and align their ideology with the superpower’s culture. Often spread via social media, films, music, food, art etc
  • Resources, - physical resources like oil and gas (if a nation has the means to exploit them) and human resources like a large workforce
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5
Q

neo-colonialism

A

the control of one state by another using indirect means

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6
Q

6 methods of neo-colonialism

A
  • strategic alliances
  • aid
  • TNC investment
  • terms of trade inhibiting development
  • debtor-creditor relationships
  • control over economic institutions e.g. World Bank, IMF
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7
Q

Hegemony

A

the dominance of a superpower over other countries

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8
Q

intergovernmental organisations (IGOs)

A

regional/global organisations whose members are nation states e.g. UN/IMF/WTO
Superpowers have the most power over IGOs

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9
Q

Free market capitalism

A
  • private ownership of property
  • private ownership of businesses
  • the right to make a profit and accumulate any amount of wealth
  • buying and selling of goods and services in a competitive free market with limited restrictions
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10
Q

Cold War

A
  • a period of tension between ideologically rival superpowers, the capitalist USA and communist USSR that lasted from 1945-1990
  • also the period where nuclear weapons and systems to deliver them were perfected, adding to the tension
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11
Q

How did the British (Empire) control India

A

Economically
- modernised through construction of railways for efficient transport of goods and troops
Military
- used Navy to control trading companies
- used railway to deploy troops to put down rebellions
Culturally
- British language, culture and traditions introduced (acculturation)
- strict social order enforced, differentiating white British and Indian elite

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12
Q

reasons for decolonisation post WWII

A
  • post war bankruptcy meant no money to run or defend colonies
  • more focus on post war reconstruction
  • anti-colonial movements in colonised countries grew increasingly strong
  • US desire for spreading democratic ideologies
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13
Q

why is the EU not considered a superpower?

A
  • the nations rarely agree easily, so there is a weak ‘global message’ as many decisions are compromised
  • EU economy is weak since 2008 financial crisis
  • demographically, ageing population, unemployment and pensions (affect economy)
  • Brexit distracted EU, may weaken it
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14
Q

Why has Japan failed to progress and never reached the superpower status

A
  • property value bubble burst in 1990 led to a collapse of Japanese stock market
  • high interest rates encouraged saving not spending
  • ageing population slowed economy
  • more competitive Asian economies stole Japan’s lead on hi-tech consumer goods
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15
Q

Explaining the growth of superpowers, dependency theory

A
  • developed
    by A.G Frank
  • views the world as
    having a economically developed core
    and underdeveloped periphery
  • the core deliberately exploits the
    cheap resources in the periphery, which
    therefore keeps them in a state of
    underdevelopment
  • As a result the core
    gets wealthier and the periphery remains
    poor
  • The core uses aid in order to
    prevent them from getting restless.
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16
Q

evaluation of the dependency theory

A
  • core countries extract profit and periphery only develops if the sore allows it to
  • China and India have developed despite being the ‘workshops for the world’ - pre global shift
  • underdevelopment can also be due to poor leadership, climate etc not just exploitation
  • doesn’t take into account disparities between regions
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17
Q

Explaining the growth of superpowers, Wallerstein’s world system theory model

A
  • created
    by Wallerstein in an attempt to overcome the problem of a ‘core and
    periphery world’
  • views the
    world as three tier
  • It allows some
    countries to enter the semi-periphery
    and then the core
  • periphery provides raw materials and the core countries use the semi-periphery countries as cheap locations to manufacture the goods
  • periphery is least likely to profit
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18
Q

evaluation of Wallerstein’s world system theory model

A
  • Appreciates that there is a dependency on the core by the periphery and vice versa
  • allows more movement between periphery and core than the dependency theory
  • does not take into account internal factors in LICs
  • no clear defining line as to if a country is core or periphery
  • more of an analysis rather than an explanation
  • Marxist as divides into owners and workers
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19
Q

Explaining the growth of superpowers, The Rostow Model

A
  • used to explain the British
    Empires dominance of the USA
  • countries economies grew in five stages, with each stage having to
    be achieved through the use of free trade, capitalism and democracy
  • As a result he said that the USSR and China
    could not expect to develop without
    following this model
  • 1st stage is the traditional society based on subsistence farming, fishing, forestry and some mining
  • 2nd stage is pre-conditions for take-off, building key infrastructure
  • 3rd stage is take-off, industrial revolution, better infrastructure, financial investment, cultural change
  • 4th stage is drive to maturity, new ideas and technology improves and replaces older industries, economic growth spreads throughout the country
  • 5th stage is high mass consumption, consumer society to to more wealth, welfare system fully developed, trade expands
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20
Q

evaluation of the Rostow model

A
  • Allows the development
    of a country to be easily
    seen as they will be within one of the five stages of development
  • based on the UK/US’ development
  • ignores globalisation and negative flows of capital
  • ignores imperialism
  • argues development is linear
  • Doesn’t take into account regional and cultural
    factors
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21
Q

Soft power

A

Attracting national governments and
individuals to their country through
- Attractive culture & lifestyle, spread through global media
- Sought-after political advice
- Foreign policies that encourage
migration
- Trade alliances
- Foreign direct investment in
business, infrastructure or facilities

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22
Q

hard power

A

Using military and direct political intervention
to change or influence the behaviour of other
countries.
- Military action
- Threat of trade restrictions
(embargos)
- Use of economic sanctions to damage
a nation’s economy
- Owning the debt of other countries

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23
Q

Mackinder’s Heartland theory (1904)

A
  • The British geographer Mackinder classified a region of Eurasia as the ‘Heartland’
  • argued that the Heartland was a geo-strategic location because whoever controlled it
    would control large amount of physical and human resources
  • though that land travel by rail was the best way to gain power, and inland meant safety
    -contributed to policies of containment (limit Germany’s expansion into this strategic area after WWI, NATO allies tried to contain the Soviets from expanding into south and west after WWII)
  • shrinking world reduced importance, sea travel and warfare became more important
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24
Q

Unipolar world

A

– One country dominates e.g. the USA currently or the British Empire
during colonial times
- the country is unlikely to be able to maintain control everywhere

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25
Q

Bi-polar world

A

– Where there are two main superpowers with opposing ideas and
ideologies e.g. the USA and USSR during the Cold War
- breakdown of control or communication between the two powers could lead to conflict

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26
Q

Multi-polar world

A

– Where there are several powers and emerging powers competing
for power and global influence
- fears over alliances or misjudging intentions of others could lead to conflict

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27
Q

how does the world bank promote free market capitalism

A
  • makes development loans to countries to promote industrialisation
  • conditions loans to benefit TNCs
28
Q

how does the IMF promote free market capitalism

A
  • assists countries to reform their economies to benefit TNCs
29
Q

how does the WEF (world economic forum) promote free market capitalism

A
  • Swiss non-profit
  • no rule-making power but promotes globalisation and free trade through holding annual meetings
30
Q

how does the WTO promote free market capitalism

A
  • regulates global trade
  • promotes open trade
  • reduces protectionism
31
Q

the two types of TNCs

A
  • Publicly traded TNCs, shares are owned by numerous shareholders (usually other TNCs, banks and larger financial institutions)
  • state-owned TNCs, majority of wholly owned by government (Chinese TNCs, often not global)
32
Q

why do TNCs have an advantage over other companies

A
  • can outcompete/ take over small companies as they have economies of scale
  • bank balances and ability to borrow money allows them to take advantage of globalisation by investing in new technologies
  • being allowed to expand as more markets have opened up through the move towards free market capitalism and free trade
33
Q

brand value

A
  • the value of a brand
  • market share, customer opinion of the brand, brand loyalty
34
Q

Westernisation

A
  • driven by the cultural power of the US and the economic power of the EU
  • a culture of consumerism, capitalism, the importance of obtaining wealth
  • English as the dominant language
  • white, Anglo-Saxon culture
  • adapts and absorbs parts of other cultures
35
Q

cultural hybridisation

A
  • the merging of different cultures to create one global culture
  • e.g. McDonald’s adapting menus to suit the tastes of Hindu and Islamic culture
36
Q

Global patent royalties

A
  • people or companies must pay a royalty or licence fee to use patents, copyrights and trademarks
  • 85% of payments go to USA, EU or Japan
37
Q

costs and benefits of global patent royalties

A
  • ensures artists/inventors are paid for work
  • covers testing costs to bring product to market
  • often developing TNCs/countries paying developed TNCs/countries
  • reflects money and education levels
  • often TNCs with existing patents are the ones creating new ones
  • questions of quality for new patents
38
Q

sanctions

A

Ways in which you can be removed from global relations
- diplomatic, expulsion/removal of embassies
- economic, trade restrictions, freezing bank accounts
- military, ban on weapons trade
- sporting, removing a countries athletes from competition

39
Q

UN security council

A
  • set up in 1946 by the 4 powers on the winning side of WWII, USA, UK, China, USSR
  • 5 permanent member states control the right to military intervention, France, UK, USA, China, Russia
  • 10 non-permanent members elected every 2 years
    Maintains international law by:
  • applying sanctions to countries deemed to be a security risk (terrorism, human rights breach, invasion etc)
  • authorising use of military force against a country
  • authorising UN peacekeeping forces
40
Q

how has the USA intervened militarily in foreign countries

A
  • as part of UN security council action
  • as a coalition with allied countries outside of the UN (NATO)
  • with no support from other countries (unilaterally)
41
Q

how does Iran show that economic sanctions are effective

A
  • western countries were concerned Iran was developing a nuclear weapons program
  • USA sanctions in 1995
  • UN sanctions in 2006, arms embargo and asset freezes
  • EU sanctions 2007
  • Iran’s oil exports sanctioned
  • Iran’s economy deteriorated so was forced to end its nuclear weapons program in 2015/2016
42
Q

sphere of influence

A

a physical region over which a country believes it has economic, cultural or political rights
e.g. US and South America (‘America’s Backyard’)

43
Q

how does intellectual property rights create tensions between powers

A
  • global systems of intellectual property run by WIPO in the UN since 1967
  • ensures TNCs, individuals, and government agencies can protect new inventions, trademarks, artistic works and trade secrets from use by others
  • China has tensions between countries (such as USA) as Chinese companies counterfeit products such as Apple and BMW
    This may lead to:
  • TNCs being reluctant to invest in China as counterfeit products are being sold cheaper, so less profit would be made
  • trade agreements may be limited
  • distrust in China following international policies
44
Q

Conflicts, Russia’s Western Border

A
  • Russia inherited the Soviet’s sphere of influence
  • Eastward expansions of the EU and NATO
  • Flashpoints of conflict, Ukraine, Georgia, Transnistria (Russian occupied Moldova)
  • Geography, Kaliningrad is Russia’s ice free port, natural resource networks and pipelines
    Argument 1:
  • Russia is threatened by being encircled by western powers, so it protecting its sphere of influence
  • resources and links being turned to EU
    Argument 2:
  • Russian policy constructs Ukraine as its place to control
  • rooted in Russian ideas of acceptable nationhood and its insiders and outsiders
45
Q

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

A

the area of ocean extending 200 nautical miles beyond the coastline over which a nation controls the sea and sub-sea resources. It is decided by the UN in the event of a dispute

46
Q

Impacts of superpower relationships on developing countries, unfair terms of trade

A
  • cheap commodity exports from the developing world (coffee, cocoa, oil, copper etc) set against expensive manufactured imports from developed countries
  • not enough money for imports leads to debt or borrowing
  • always leaves developed countries richer than developing countries, so there isn’t a chance to develop
47
Q

Impacts of superpower relationships on developing countries, Brain drain

A

= migration of skilled workers from developing countries to boost the developed world
- developing countries left with an aging population and fewer skilled workers, economy cannot grow
- money spent in education is not put back into the economy

48
Q

Impacts of superpower relationships on developing countries elite capture of extraction

A

= local wealthy elites who control imports and exports in developing countries
- benefit from the neo-colonial relationship so therefore have no interest in changing it
- imports, exports and governance does not reflect the needs of the general population in developing countries

49
Q

argument that China’s relationship with Africa is neo-colonial

A
  • China has invested heavily in roads, ports and railways across Africa to export raw materials, increasing efficiency of exports for China to benefit
  • skilled and technical jobs on these projects are often filled by Chinese migrant workers
  • much of the FDI only brings temporary construction jobs
  • cheap Chinese imports undercut local businesses and force them out of business
  • Aid from China is tied to FDI
50
Q

argument that China’s relationship with Africa is a development opportunity

A
  • imports from China have also increased alongside exports, so both benefit from trade
  • new infrastructure can also be used by Africans, adding to development
  • vital jobs in industry, transport and energy creates, modernises economy
  • Chinese factories and mines bring modern working practices and technology to Africa
  • Chinese finance has funded 17 major electricity projects
  • investment deals are often accompanied by aid
51
Q

Problems with GDP (gross domestic product)

A
  • Doesn’t show where the country is in the supply chain
  • ignores the importance of TNCS in a globalized world
  • overinflates endpoints, so is just the value of economic transactions.
52
Q

The Arab Spring

A
  • A series of pro-democracy and pro-human rights civil uprisings from 2010 across North Africa and the Middle East to bring down dictators and fight inequalities
  • led to civil wars in Yemen, Syria and Libya
  • Started in Tunisia, which became a new democracy
  • Some governments were overthrown but many countries were much more politically unstable after the uprisings
53
Q

Economic challenges in the EU and the USA

A
  • The EU has a larger challenge, as although the USA have more debt, the dollar being the global currency means that it is less vulnerable to economic shocks
  • however the debt in the EU is a drag on economic growth
  • The USA has more TNCs and lower unemployment.
54
Q

Demographic challenges in the EU and the USA

A
  • The EU has a larger challenge, as it has an aging population and the population is also likely to fall
  • social costs on the government will be raised, and the workforce will drop
  • On the other hand, the population in the USA will still grow and is aging slower
  • Social costs also do not fall on the government as much due to a privatized healthcare system.
55
Q

Political challenges in the EU and the USA

A

Both the EU and the USA have political challenges.
EU:
- Tensions about union resulting in Brexit
- relationships with Russia are strained
- immigration is dividing countries
USA:
- race relations are strained
- there is often political deadlock between Democrats and Republicans nationally.

56
Q

Resource challenges in the EU and the USA

A

Energy security is more of a challenge in the EU, as most oil and gas is imported from Russia. Water insecurity as more of a challenge in southwest USA

57
Q

Social challenges in the EU as the USA

A

Youth unemployment is a large problem in the EU. There is a lost generation of young people due to political disaffection. House spending in the USA is a huge cost to families and governments and there is an obesity health crisis.

58
Q

Alternative superpower futures in 2030, a unipolar world (US)

A
  • US hegemony and dominance continues
  • China faces economic crisis and ceases to grow rapidly
  • This may be likely if China stops challenging the USA due to an aging population and wages rising so TNCs are moved to other countries
  • China is no longer the largest economy and has no political role
59
Q

Alternative superpower futures in 2030, a multipolar world.

A
  • Emerging powers continue to grow while the EU and USA decline
  • Creates broadly equal powers with regional but not global influence
  • It is unlikely as no global power would rise to become global police, leading to instability.
60
Q

Alternative superpower futures in 2030, a bipolar world.

A
  • New Cold War
  • China rises to become equal in power to the USA
  • Nations align themselves to one or the other
  • China starts to play a geopolitical role and more military growth is likely.
61
Q

Alternative superpower futures in 2030, a unipolar world (Asia)

A
  • Economic, social and political problems reduce power of the USA and the EU
  • Power shifts to Asian emerging powers led by China
  • tensions need to be solved between China and Southeast Asia for this to happen
  • political instability needs to be overcome to become global political players
  • lead to demand for resources.
62
Q

Spheres of contest, the South China Seas

A
  • The main players are China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, the USA (allies to Philippines etc)
  • China is building islands by pumping sand onto reefs in the South China Sea for military bases and natural resources.
    -China claims it has a historical Claim to the South China Sea’s ignoring the 200 mile EEZ. - The Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia all claimed the islands in the South China Sea.
  • China believes these islands belong to them and built military bases to show force.
  • China uses ships to block off the trading routes
  • Other countries are arresting Chinese boats for trespassing.
  • The Hague ruled China invaded the Philippines, and China refused to admit it.
  • The US wants to resolve this, but not to go to war with China
  • in 2020, China announced creation of two new districts in South China Sea on islands claimed by Vietnam.
63
Q

Spheres of contest, China’s belt and road initiative.

A
  • An infrastructure project led by China to re route global trade
  • Over 60 countries have signed agreements
  • Countries in debt to China that have signed give China control of ports built under the belt and roads initiative
  • China is trying to establish military bases along the Silk Group
  • makes China a player in the Arctic with Russia as an ally
  • strengthening ties between China and Pakistan makes Indian nervous
  • tying China with Iran makes the US nervous
  • strengthens China’s influence in Vietnam, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Turkey.
64
Q

Spheres of contest, who owns the Arctic Ocean?

A

The players of Russia, Greenland and Canada. Russia has coal mines in Svalbard for strategic reasons
- There are lots of oil and gas reserves in the Arctic
- new shipping routes could be created
- The ocean in the middle is not a part of any country’s EEZ
- Un using submarines to find continental shelves to determine the borders
- Russia and Greenland’s continental claims overlap
- Russia is renovating military outposts in the Arctic and publishing military exercises to scare other countries
- in 2007, Russia put a flag underwater on the North Pole
- Russia and Canada have put together Arctic forces to protect their interests.

65
Q

China’s nutrient transition.

A

An increase in development and globalization led to a demand in new food types.
- Land converted to produce meat and dairy
- Land prices rise as more land has to be used for farming
- China has an increased carbon footprint and more deforestation.

66
Q

How do TNCS maintain their technological advantage?

A
  • Holding patents so anyone using their technologies have to pay a fee to them
  • This gives TNC is more money for research and development to create new technologies and therefore new patents.
  • controlling supply chains
  • buying competition

A-level Geography (8 decks)

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