Superpowers Flashcards
economic power
economic or development ai from one country to another as signing agreements keeps economic ties
5 pillars of power
cultural , political , resources , military strength , economic strength
superpower
a state or organisation that is able to extend a dominant influence globally
emerging power
a state or organisation that is growing significantly in power and beggining to extend a more global influence
regional power
a state or organisation with a sphere of influence that tends to be continental rather than global
hard power
power through force of coersion
soft power
power through favour or persuasion
indirect control
maintaining control through soft power
Hegemony
leadership or dominance by one state or organisation ( USA)
colonialism
the obtaining of a country by another by gaining political control and territory
neo colonialism
the use of economic, political and cultural influence to exert power over other countries
direct control
maintaining control through hard power
uni polar
a world with one dominant superpower
good as comes across more stable
but need to be able to maintain power everywhere
bi polar
a world with two dominant superpowers
stable if divided into 2 opposing blocs
however rivalry could cause a disaster
multipolar
a world with multiple superpowers
may increase risk of conflict as more regional powers
Geopolitical
refers to influence of geographical factors on international relations
Blue water navy
a navy that can be deployed into open ocean
diplomacy
negotiation and decision making that takes place between nations as part of international agreements
sphere of influence
the geographical area over which a powerful country can assert power
dependency
argues that developing countries remain poor due to their dependence on wealthier countries as terms of trade are stacked against them
world systems theory
a model that divides the world into 3 sections: developed core , developing periphery and semi periphery.
Core regions drive economy ( Industrial)
Periphery regions rely on core region for their resources as they manufacture them and make money off them
modernisation theory
believe that capitalism was the solution to poverty as investment in countries that border USSR will prevent communism
Soft power index
measures oversees contribution, number of oversees embassies , income inequality and person freedom
Mackinders heartland theory
whoever rules eurasia( Russia to China) commands the world as it is a pivot area as it has a large population and huge resources - clearly wrong in modern day
super power timeline
1850-1945- UK and USSR
1945- 1990 -USA and Russia
21st century - China
hyper power
an unchallenged super power that is dominant in all aspects of power
how physical size and geographical position is used as a control measure
larger countries have greater resources and influence ( Russia is largest country and has significant Arctic oil reserves) however the more neighbours you have , the more tension
how economic power and influence is used as a control measure
GDP measures economic power. Countries with high GDP spend it with large consumer markets which attracts investment and creates global hubs ( G20/Trading blocs influence power)
how demographic power is used as a control measure
population size creates a large workforce which is key for economic success as it generates growth. Large population also results in large market. ( Chin and India using their large pops for cheap labour)
how political power is used as a control measure
political groups (G8 OECD) work as minded countries to improve member states
how military strength is used as a control measure
historically it was vital in determining power however now military spending is a better indicator ( China has largest military)
how cultural influence is used as a control measure
TNC’s ( Disney, McDonalds) influence people’s lifestyle around the world.
how access to natural resources is used as a control measure
oil, gas and coal are resources that are vital for economic growth, however the possession of them doesn’t guarantee development as many are controlled by TNC’s
imperialism
relationship of political, economic or cultural control between locations. ( Intro of Christianity to countries)
colonisation
physical settling of people from the colonial power to the country they control
Colonial rule - how colonialism worked
British people emigrated to India and educated Indians , the Indians then occupied lower administrative positions
Colonial rule - importance of military
The royal navy dominated the seas which provided a link between home country and oversees colonies
colonial rule - justification for the empire
Modernism - Idea that europe could improve the world as it was modern, civilised and superior to the natives.
colonial rule - rise and fall of the empire
Economic decline due to overspending in ww2
Loss of military influence
Loss of colonies as they fought back
colonial rule - end of the empire (Suez crisis)
the Egyptian government seized control of Suez canal from UK and France , USA didn’t support them so they had to withdraw
capitalism
businesses are privately owned , free market economy , democratic (USA)
communism
businesses belong to state, objective is equality , dictatorship (USSR)
USA and USSR cold war
bi polar world during the cold war, both nations believed they were the super power which led to conflicts and tensions
cold war USA characteristics
pop of 287 million
Capitalist
Allies with Western Europe
Cultural influence through film and tv
Cold war - USSR characteristics
Pop of 291 million.
Communist
Allies with Eastern Europe
Cultural influence through art and music
Why USSR lost cold war
economy was half the size of UK
military was out dated
they invaded Afganisthan
Exercising power in post colonial world - military
independence was gained and kept with civil unrest
Exercising power in post colonial world - politically
USA tried to prevent spread of communism through containment
Exercising power in post colonial world - economically
IMF and World Bank were set up to give aid to developing countries
Exercising power in post colonial world - Culturally
western culture continued to spread through films and language
How power is exerted in neo- colonial era- strategic alliances
both USA and USSR formed alliances with developing countries via foreign aid
How power is exerted in neo- colonial era- Aid
aid can be given with conditions controlling how developing countries spend it
How power is exerted in neo- colonial era- TNC’s
FDI creates big profits for TNC’s but poor wages for developing world
How power is exerted in neo- colonial era- Terms of Trade
developing countries may export raw materials at low cost so developed countries can manufacture them and make a lot of money
How power is exerted in neo- colonial era- Structural adjustment policies ( SAPs)
countries who wish to have debt relieved must apply western economic devised by world bank , resulting in loss of economic sovereignty
Cultural hegomony - maintaining power
power is not maintained by direct force unls there is a threat
power is instead maintained by consent
the values o those in power is accepted by the people
the media reinforces this and its seen as the norm
Criticism of neo-colonial world
war and conflict can prevent development
corruption in many countries
BRIC nations - Brazil overview
energy independent , culturally influential
low education levels, deforestation needs controling
BRIC nations - Russia overview
huge oil and gas reserves, seat on UN
extreme levels of inequality, poor relations with EU and USA
BRIC nations - India overview
youthful and skilled population , English speaking
very high levels of poverty, future resource shortages
BRIC nations - China overview
highly educated , largest economy
ageing population , pollution issues
Japan - a lesson from history
Japan was destined to be a superpower as had higher GDP than UK and USA , however has barely grown since 1995 as property value declined and population became ageing
westernisation
global spread of western ideas, beliefs and practices
free trade
the exchange of goods and services with removal of taxes/ tariffs and quotas ( number of goods)
IGO’s
regional or global organisations whose members are nation states. They uphold international laws and treaties and allow cooperation on global issues
WTO
focuses on trade and it’s rules. It aims to reduce trade barriers and is currently focusing on reducing poverty by promoting efficient production in developing countries
World bank
It’s role is to finance development , focusing on natural disasters and emergencies. It gives loans to countries who are struggling
IMF
original job was to stabilise currencies after the 1930 financial crash and WW2, 190 countries work together to loan money to countries who need it to stabilize their economies
WEF ( world economic forum)
a swiss non-profit org that aims to promote public-private co-operation
The role of TNC’s
leading TNC’s originate in global superpowers, they can either be publicly traded TNC’s or state owned TNC’s
publicly traded TNC’s
their shares are owned by numerous stakeholders around the world
(Walmart, BP, VW)
state owned TNC’s
they are majorirty/fully owned by the government, they are often large but not well known
( Sinopec, ICBC both Chinese )
Developing countries and TNC’s
in developing countries, TNC’s are state owned so they can outcompete smaller companies and take them over
Criticism as TNC’s being driver of globalisation
their pursuit of shareholder profit above anything else
Top TNC’s - apple and google value
Apple - $170 billion
Google - $120 billion
TNC’s and global influence
most important factor of a TNC is the cultural impact on global consumers such as US news and media TNC’s that reinforce US cultural message
Innovation and TNC’s
TNC’s often spend huge amounts of money on new tech and research and development
Intellectual property laws
protect TNC’s new developments by copyright, trademarks and royalties
domination of global royalties reflect
the money that went into the product, education is higher in the developed countries
USA as global police
the US military has intervened many times in foreign countries as it is a member of UN, coloition with other countries
NATO
a group of 30 countries who support each other in war and unrest as an attack on one is an attack on all, it does this by supplying weapons and soldiers without directly intervening
ANZUS ( Aus, NZ, US)
aim for collective security in matters in pacific ocean , they allow members to trade and military exercise together
EU
drafts policy proposals which are then debated by member groups and make sure EU policies are present in all countries . It helps countries financially and allows free movement and trade
NAFTA
all countries get equal treatments and eliminates tariffs on imports and exports between member states
superpowers and the environment
superpowers have a large resource footprint as requires energy and natural resources. China is responsible for 49% of coal consumption
what China does to aid the environment
they signed the paris agreements which aims to reduce C02 emissions and decrease deforestation
what USA does to aid the environment
aims to reduce emissions by 25% and promote afforestation however Trump withdrew the Paris agreement
what EU does to aid the environment
all EU members sign the paris agreement and aims to cut GG emissions by 40% by 2030 and move towards an climate neutral economy
The global middle class
middle class are defined as people with discretionary incomes that they can spend on consumer goods
Middle class consumption egs
added 1 billion cars on china’s roads
180 million tonnes of meat consumed each year
Middle class implications on food
presure on food supply in emerging countries , moving basic cereal diet to a meat diet
Middle class implications on energy
global energy demand is expected to increase by 30% by 2030, leading to price rise and supply shortages
middle class implications on water
by 2030, 60% of india is expected to face water scarcity. Especially likely to be a problem in Urban areas
middle class implications on water
demand for minerals (lithium) used in tech has increased , this could increase prices and make demands hard to meet.
interdependence
the dependence of two or more nations or orgs on each other
economic restructuring
shifting from an economy based on one sector to an economy based on anothee
How tensions are created - counterfeit goods
due to increased importance of inventions , NIC’s have created an new market for counterfeit goods which violates international property rights
WIPO
part of UN which has ensured TNC’s can protect new inventions
why WIPO is important
- stops innovations being stolen
- means the cost of producing is reflected in the selling ( if other people can copy then money has been put into making for nothing)
- gives an incentive to invent
why WIPO has been criticised
- royalties are a cost to developing- nations which can stunt economic growth
Counterfeit and China
Chinese companies are well know for fake products ( 22 fake apple stores in 2011)
( 70% of all counterfeit originate from china)
Why counterfeits is bad for China
TNC’s may be reluctant to invest as they know their profits are likely to be reduced
Tensions - political spheres of influence
a political sphere of influence refers to a political claim , or a legal agreement where countries won’t interfere in another countries sphere of influence
Tensions - arctic oil and gas
90-100 million barrels of oil are in the arctic , this creates tensions as different countries believe they own them.
Russia US and EU are involved and all have nuclear weapons
This will only increase as see ice melts and it becomes more accessible
Tensions - Russia’s western border
after collapse of communism , several countries showed interest in joining EU , showing Russia has lost it’s sphere of influence creating tensions between Russia and Western world
The western world has imposed sanctions on Russia , which has isolated them economically
Tensions - south and east China sea
China is trying to increase it’s sphere of influence by building land in it’s seas. This has created tensions between China and USA as US are close allies with Japan.
China and Africa Aid
China has invested $60 billion of loans to Africa to help with development
However critics believe China want to improve Africas infrastructure so they can ship raw materials to China ( neo-colonalism)
Japan and China tensions
relations are weak du to historical reasons but worsened when US troops stationed in Japan after WW1
Japan also adopted a capitalist society , increasing tensions futher
Japan and India tensions
also had tensions about Himalayan border however China is concerned about India’s military interest in south china sea and India is concerned about China’s good relationship with Pakistan
One belt one road strategy
a strategy to connect China, Eurasia and Africa to enhance trade . One belt refers to building infrastructure from Russia to Mongolia and one road refers to extending this SE Asia and East Africa
Middle East tensions - Religion
main religion is Muslim however conflict between Sunni and Shia sects
Middle East tensions - oil and gas
65% of worlds crude oil originates from ME making it a prize worth fighting for
Middle East tensions - governance
most of the countries are new states with weak or non existent democracy
Middle East tensions - History
many international borders drawn on a map by colonial powers and do not reflect actual geography
Middle East tensions - USA alliances
alliance between USA and Israel has made other middle eastern countries concerned
UK superpower challenges - unemployment
after mining industry closed , the north experienced serious unemployment which also meant social cohesion was lost
Superpower challenges - EU economic
EU unemployment was close to 10% in 2016 which was a cost to the tax payer
Superpower challenges - USA economic
national debt in 206 was $19 trillion
Superpower challenges - EU demographics
by 2025 20% of EU citizens will be over 65 meaning they are facing an ageing population
Superpower challenges - US politics
in parts of country there is deadlock between republicans and democrats
Superpower challenges - EU resources
EU is energy insecure , it relies on gas and oil imports from Russia
Superpower challenges - USA social
health spending uses 17% of US anual GDP, as obesity is a growing issue
Superpower challenges - USA social
health spending uses 17% of US annual GDP, as obesity is a growing issue
US hegomony
US is dominant as china faces an economic crisis
Regional mosaic
emerging powers grow and EU and US decline in relative terms , creating a multi polar world
The new cold war
China becomes equal in power to US and nations align with one or the other - creating a bi polar world
Asian century
power shifts to merging powers in Asia , led by china
