Superpowers

Question 1

Russia

Answer 1

Huge military force - 5000 nuclear missiles
9th largest global economy
Largest natural gas exporter
Inequality - 35% of wealth in 110 people
Ageing population
Difficult geopolitical relationships

Question 2

India

Answer 2

High population and workforce
4th largest military power
20% live in poverty
Pollution, poor energy and water supply

Question 3

China

Answer 3

Largest population (1.4 billion)
Largest army
Second largest economy
Ageing population
35% of global carbon emissions

Question 4

Conflict in the Arctic

Answer 4

30% of undiscovered gas reserves
Melting ice opened up new trade routes
Disputes settled through the UN
Geopolitical rivalries as many nations want to use the Arctic to build military bases
Opportunity for tourism could bring economic benefits e.g. cruise industry looking to expand to offer views of the Northern Lights

Question 5

Russia-Ukraine conflict

Answer 5

Russia wants to ensure Ukraine doesn’t join NATO
If Ukraine joined NATO, then the western alliance would have a route to Russia’s border, which Putin thinks is a security issue.
Causes energy supply and food shortages

Question 6

South China Seas tensions

Answer 6

Part of China trying to spread its sphere of influence
Militarily important to China and it sees it as oceans it should control
Important oil and gas reserves
Strategically important location
Largest naval presence - USA
Building military bases on the islands

Question 7

China in Africa

Answer 7

China reliant on African oil, minerals and biofuel
Skilled jobs filled by Chinese migrant workers
China have invested heavily in infrastructure
Oil spills in Sudan
Over 1 million Chinese have moved to Africa since 2005

Question 8

USA

Answer 8

Large population
Large military budget (616 billion)
15000 nuclear weapons
70% are overweight

Question 9

Colonial India

Answer 9

Acculturation - British traditions such as cricket

Question 10

Water scarcity in India

Answer 10

60% of areas facing water scarcity by 2030

Question 11

United Nations

Answer 11

193 nations which contribute to maintaining peace, promoting human rights and providing humanitarian relief and aid work
UN Climate Conferences - 2015 Paris Agreement
UN Security Council - 5 permanent members (any can veto a decision)
UN peacekeeping force

Question 12

IPCC

Answer 12

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Set up by the UN in 1988
Aims to stabilise greenhouse gas emissions and reduce human’s impact on the planet

Question 13

British empire

Answer 13

Ruled 1/4 world’s land and 1/3 of the world’s population during its peak

Question 14

Brazil

Answer 14

Produces half of South America’s GDP
Huge natural resources
Corrupt government and political instability

Question 15

Global middle class effects

Answer 15

India - 60% face water scarcity by 2030
Demand for rare earth materials increases
Pressure on food sources - nutrition transition
Prices could rise - harming the poorest

Question 16

TNCs

Answer 16

Account for 80% of global trade

Question 17

2015 Paris Agreement

Answer 17

Limit temperature rise to 2 degrees above pre industrial levels