Superpowers

Question 1

What is a superpower?

Answer 1

A country with the ability to project its power and influence anywhere in the world.

Question 2

Example of superpower

Answer 2

USA

Question 3

What is an emerging superpower?

Answer 3

Countries with a large role in one of more superpower characteristics, and with growing influence.

Question 4

What is an emerging superpower?

Answer 4

Countries with a large role in one of more superpower characteristics, and with growing influence.

Question 5

Example of an emerging country?

Answer 5

China, Brazil, India and Russia

Question 6

What are regional powers?

Answer 6

Project dominating power and influence over other countries within the continent or region.

Question 7

Example of regional powers?

Answer 7

UK, Germany, France in Europe
South Africa and Nigeria in Africa

Question 8

6 different types of characteristics?

Answer 8

Economic, Political, Military, Cultural, Demographic, Natural Resources

Question 9

Describe economic as a characteristic?

Answer 9

Large GDP, high % of international trade
A large GDP creates influence as a potential market and as the home of TNCs which create FDI.
The USA has the world’s largest total GDP - $18.5 trillion

Question 10

What is TNCs

Answer 10

Businesses that have a global reach. They are companies that operate in more than one country.

Question 11

What is FDI?

Answer 11

A purchase of a particular organisation’s interest by another foreign organisation. Such an organisation or investor is located in a different country than the organisation whose interest is purchased.

Question 12

Describe political as a characteristic?

Answer 12

The ability to influence the policies of other countries through the dominance of negotiations.

Question 13

Describe military as a characteristic?

Answer 13

Military power with a global reach means they can be used to achieve geopolitical goals
Global influence through blue water (ocean going) navy and drone, missile and satellite technology
Indicators of power: army size, defence spending, nuclear weapons, size of blue water navy, presence on international military organisations.
-Russia has the most active nuclear warheads (1790)
The USA is in second place with 1750

Question 14

Describe cultural as a characteristic?

Answer 14

The ability to influence the beliefs, values, ideology and way of life in other countries. ​
Achieved through:
-the dominance of media (films, radio, television, internet, education)
-TNCs or migrants introducing cultural products (food, clothing, music, religion)
Indicators: global spread of music, fashion, food, language, religion
-The USA has the highest percentage of the world’s 20 largest TNCs - 27%.

Question 15

Describe demographic as a characteristic?

Answer 15

A large population -> a large diaspora and workers at TNCs
Assists economic power through a large market and economies of scale (so more profit).
Means army can be larger.
China has the largest population - 1382 million

Question 16

Describe resources as a characteristic?

Answer 16

Control of access to physical resources: energy, minerals
Provides inputs for economic growth
Means they can be exported at a high price -> economic power
e.g. OPEC and oil, Saudi Arabia
Essential for military power

Question 17

Define hyperpower?

Answer 17

The one, globally dominating superpower.
1850-1910: Britain was the hyperpower
1990-2010: USA the hyperpower​

Question 18

What is hard power?

Answer 18

Using military and economic influence (trade deals, sanctions) to force a country to act in a particular way.

Question 19

What is soft power?

Answer 19

Persuasion of countries to act in a particular way, on the basis that the persuader is respected and appealing. Includes political persuasion (diplomacy) and cultural influence.

Question 20

What is smart power?

Answer 20

Combination of hard and soft power (a ‘carrot and stick’ approach).