Superpowers Flashcards
1
Q
Define a bipolar world.
A
A world where two main superpowers are present at once.
2
Q
Define Blue Water Navy.
A
A navy that can deploy into open ocean i.e. with large ocean going ships
3
Q
Define capitalism.
A
An economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.
4
Q
What was the cold war?
A
A bipolar era where the USA wanted to stop the USSR and the spread of communism. It was a proxy war due to mutually assured destruction.
5
Q
Define colonialism.
A
The use of hard power to control another country politically.
6
Q
Define communism.
A
A political and economic system that seeks to create a classless society in which the major means of production, such as factories, are owned and controlled by the public.
7
Q
Define core (in theories).
A
A small set of technologically advanced and industrialized capitalist nations characterized by higher incomes, large tax bases, and high standards of living. They are able to exploit the periphery countries.
8
Q
What does MEDCs stand for?
A
More economically developed countries
9
Q
Define decolonisation.
A
The withdrawing out of a former colony making it independent.
10
Q
Define democracy.
A
A system of government where people vote for who will lead them.
11
Q
Define a dictatorship.
A
A system where one person makes all rules and decisions, and people do not choose them.
11
Q
Define diplomacy.
A
The negotiation and decision-making that takes place between nations as part of international relations, leading to international agreements and treaties.
12
Q
Define EEZ.
A
Exclusive Economic zone an area off the coast of a country that they have jurisdiction over
13
Q
Define Glasnost.
A
‘freedom of speech’
14
Q
Define hard power.
A
Power through force and/or cohersion like to involve military power or economic sanctions. Coined by Joseph Nye.
15
Q
Define hegemony.
A
Dominance of a superpower (AKA the hegemonic power or hegemon) over other countries.
16
Q
Define hyperpower.
A
An unchallenged superpower that is dominant in all aspects of power.
17
Q
Define ideology.
A
A set of beliefs, values and ideology held by the majority of people in a society.
18
Q
Define imperialism.
A
The process of extending a countries influence through colonisation or military force.
19
Q
Define the Kondratieff cycle.
A
Long term cycles of growth and stagnation found during capitalist development.
20
Q
Define multipolar.
A
A world where multiple superpowers are present.
21
Q
Define neo-colonialism.
A
A situation where wealthy former colonial powers control the world economy in a way that benefits them and former colonials gain nothing.
22
Q
Define patents.
A
A license giving someone the right to exclude others from making, using or selling inventions.
23
Q
Define Perestroika.
A
‘private ownership of small businesses’
24
Define periphery.
The outer, less developed countries that stay underdeveloped due to the superpower core.
25
Define primary commodities.
Cheap raw materials usually collected by less developed countries and sold cheaply to core countries.
26
Define proxy war.
When superpowers fund the opposite side in wars but do not physically each other.
27
Define secondary commodities.
Expensive manufactured goods usually produced by core countries and sold at high prices back to periphery countries.
28
Define smart power.
A combination of soft and hard power techniques.
29
Define soft power.
Power through favour and/or persuasion like cultural power. Coined by Joseph Nye.
30
Define sphere of influence.
The reach of a countries political, economic and cultural beliefs.
31
Define unipolar.
A world where there is one main superpower present.
32
Define emerging superpower.
Nations whose economic, military and political influence is already large and growing, so may obtain superpower status in the future.
33
How do superpowers use economic power to maintain or extend their power?
It is the prerequisite of power as a large economy gives the nation enough wealth to build/maintain a powerful military, exploit resources etc.
34
How do superpowers use political power to maintain or extend their power?
Relates to being able to influence other countries through diplomacy to persuade them to your point of view. Exercised mostly through IGOs e.g. WTO.
35
How do superpowers use military power to maintain or extend their power?
Strength of armed forces (number of personnel, expenditure, hardware, the possession of nuclear weapons and the membership of alliances e.g. NATO)
36
How do superpowers use cultural power to maintain or extend their power?
The projection of a countries ideology, 'way of life' and cultural values, this can influence the way others behave. Brings in tourism.
37
How do superpowers use demographic power to maintain or extend their power?
This includes population size and what % of global population it represents. Can lead to lots of cheap labour, high skilled workers and a large domestic market.
38
How do superpowers use environmental power to maintain or extend their power?
Includes physical resource availability (e.g. fossil fuels and minerals), water sources and land. High amounts allow for exports and control of valuable commodities and for the country to be less dependent on others.
A countries global location can also influence its commanding power.
39
What are some features of superpower status?
- Military might, arsenal and spending
- Patent filings
- Strength of country's currency and reserves
- Volume of trade
- Influence of country's media and airlines
- Number of global brands
- Nuclear strength of weapons and warheads
- Number of seats and memberships of world organisations
- Number of global military bases
- Number of TNCs in the top global 100/500
- Number of people speaking the country's language worldwide
- Physical size can influence resource base
- GNP/GDP
- Population in millions
40
What is an example of hard power?
- Britain expansionist policy in the Imperial Era
- Military action (USA) in Iraq and Afghanistan
41
What is an example of soft power?
- Global dominance of the USA through TNCs e.g. Coca Cola and McDonalds
- Media/TV/films
42
What is geopolitics?
The branch of Geography that studies the geographical balance of power.
43
What theory did Halford Mackinder develop?
Geostrategic Location Theory aka Heartland Theory
44
Who developed the geo-strategic location theory/Heartland Theory?
Halford Mackinder
45
When was the Mackinder's geo-strategic location theory developed?
1904, meaning it is a very old theory.
46
What is the Mackinder geo-strategic location theory?
Mackinder believed that in order to exert influence, it was crucial for a country to control strategic area's of land. The theory argued that whoever controlled Europe and Asia (largest land mass) would control the world.
47
What are the three components of the geo-strategic location theory/Heartland Theory?
1. The World Island - comprising of Europe, Asia and Africa. Includes the Heartland.
2. Offshore islands - e.g. the British Isles and Japan
3. Outlying islands - e.g. North and South America and Australia
48
What was the Heartland?
This was the centre of the world island and is described as the 'pivot area.'
It contains 50% of the worlds resources so Mackinder believed controlling this area would secure control of the world.
49
Mackinder believed that the further away from the heartland a country was, the ____ influence it would have.
Less
50
What are the downsides or inconsistencies of the Heartland Theory?
- In theory Russia should be the one global superpower but isn't. (Mackinder believed this was because Russia had many border making it easy to attack and because the coast was frozen year round)
- It is a very old theory so may have some colonial prejudices.
51
What is the case study for colonialism?
The rise and fall of the British Empire and Colonial India
52
What was the present superpower in the nineteenth century?
The British Empire
53
What % of global landmass and population did the British Empire control at its peak?
25% of land and 25% of the population
54
What was the British Empire founded on?
Exploration and sea power
55
How did the British Empire rule through sea power?
Had the most powerful navy (was twice as large as the 2nd largest, Germany) which was a link between colonies and also was a warning to other countries. It was also quite cheap, the budget was only 2.5% of GDP.
56
What was the Mercantilist phase of the British Empire?
- Small colonies on coasts and islands e.g. Jamaica or Bombay, they were defended by sea ports
- Focussed on trade (slaves and raw materials like tea)
- There were private trading companies (e.g. Royal African Company) which were defended by British forces
57
What was the Imperial phase of the British Empire?
- Coastal colonies extended inland with conquests
- Religion, culture and language was being introduced to the colonies
- Governments were set up to rule colonial populations
- Complex trade networks set up ( including exports from UK to colonies)
- Settlers from Britain set up farms in colonies
- Technology introduced like railways
58
What was the Decolonisation phase of the British Empire?
- UK went bankrupt after WW2 so couldnt support the empire
- Anti-colonial movements grew (e.g.in India) so some colonies were granted independence
- UK shifted focus to post-war reconstruction so most colonies were independent by 1970
59
Is the UK still a superpower?
No, but it does still have a considerable influence around the world through 'soft' power. (Historical relationships with the Commonwealth)
60
What is the Commonwealth?
It is an association of 53 independent states (former British colonies) which consult and cooperate in common interest.
61
Did the British lose all their colonies?
No, they still control 14 overseas territories and fought a war to keep the Falkland islands in 1982.
62
What are examples of British having a lot of cultural power today?
- the English language
- the BBC (is an international broadcaster and hosted the London Olympics)
- has one of the largest networks of embassies with British diplomats being highly respected and influencial
63
When did Britain take direct control of India?
1858 after the 1857 rebellion
64
Was India colonised before 1858?
Yes, many European countries had trading posts in India (e.g. Britain, France, Portugal) where they exported things like tea which was bought in China
65
How did controlling India help the British expand the empire?
They were able to expand into SE Asia (Burma, Malaysia and Singapore) from bases in India.
66
How did the British maintain control in India?
- Important/influential British people emigrated to run the Raj.
- Symbols of power were built
- Acculturalisation by introducing the language and traditions.
- A strict social order made with ruling white British and the Indians
- India was 'modernised' so its economy served the UK better
- Technology like railways were built, which made trade and military transport more efficient
67
When was independence of India granted?
1947
68
Why does decolonisation often cause conflict and division within ex-colonies?
- Borders do not reflect religious or ethnic boundaries leading to territory conflicts.
- Indigenous communities had a lack of experience running government due to being left out of colonial governments
-Insurgents worked to push colonists out which leads to violence.
69
When is it said that the colonial era ended and why?
Quickly after the Second World War in 1945. Mostly due to post-war bankruptcy and anti-colonial movements rising.
70
How many superpowers were there after 1945?
It was a bipolar era of the USA and USSR being the main superpowers.
71
Who coined the term neo-colonialism?
Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of independent Ghana.
72
Why is neo-colonialism said to be worse than colonialism?
"It means power for those who practice it without responsibility and exploitation for those who suffer from it. In old colonialism, countries has to explain and justify their actions and the ruling imperial power would protect the colony against any violent opponents, but this isn't the case in neo-colonialism"
73
Which continent is neo-colonialism mostly linked to?
Africa, and is an explanation for the lack of development in most of the continent.
74
How does a powerful country indirectly control decision-making and policy in another country? (what are the neo-colonial mechanisms present?)
- Strategic alliances that make developing nations dependent on military aid and equipment from superpowers
- Tied aid (aid with strings attached) which forces recipients to agree to policies by the donor
- TNC investment can lead to more jobs but they can be low wage and low skilled so if a TNC pulls out, the country may be stuck.
- TNCs can also influence the world market and exert influence on a countries politics
- Terms of trade can mean countries are not allowed or unable to export high priced goods and only low priced primary commodities, inhibiting development
- Debt due to loans
- Culture
75
76
How stable is a unipolar world?
One hyper power may seem stable but this hyper power is likely unable to maintain control everywhere, all the time which can lead to rogue states not accepting the hyper powers hegemonic position.
77
How stable is a bipolar world?
Could be stable due to being divided by two opposing blocs. The stability depends on the diplomatic channels of communication between powers and how well each power controls th countries in its bloc.
Breakdown of communications can lead to conflict.
78
How stable is a multipolar world?
These systems are complex and there are multiple relationships between more or less equally powerful states. The potential to misjudge other powers or the fear of alliances being formed, creating more powerful blocs, are high and an increase risk of conflict.
79
What is the case study for neocolonialism?
Ghana
80
What amount of people in Ghana live on less than $1 a day?
1/3
81
When did Ghana gain independence?
1957
82
What is Ghana the largest trader of?
Cocoa
83
What are the three external influences that control the price of cocoa in Ghana?
Commodity Traders: trade in raw arterials or primary products
Overseas Tariffs: taxes that are paid on goods coming into or out of a country
World Trade Organisation (WTO)
84
What are commodity traders? (Ghana Case Study)
The prices of cocoa are determined by commodity traders in London and New York. They search for supplies for large companies like Nestle. The prices reply on global supply and demand, this means if Ghanan prices are too high, companies will purchase from cheaper countries. This makes prices volatile which makes incomes irregular for workers and tax returns uncertain for the government.
85
In 2000 what did Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Cameroon do to increase cocoa prices?
They destroyed some of their cocoa crop in order o reduce supply to drive up global prices.
86
What are overseas tariffs? (Ghana Case Study)
Most of the processing and packaging of cocoa is done in Europe. The EU import tariffs are much higher for processed cocoa than raw beans (more than double) which is known as tariff escalation.
However, Europe isn’t the only one doing this, Japan and the USA have no import tariff on processed cocoa but chocolate has tariffs of up to 65%.
This means, in order to avoid paying tariffs, Ghana is forced to export raw cocoa beans and lose out on the value added by processing them.
87
What is the World Trade Organisations role in neocolonialism in Ghana?
In the past, Ghanas government subsidised its farmers to encourage them to grow food for the cities. Ghana joined the WTO to try and increase trade, however, one of the joining conditions was that the farmers could no longer be subsidised (even though other countries can) This meant that farmers in Ghana now struggle to compete with the low price of imports of heavily subsidised foreign foods. E.g. tomatoes imported from the EU undercut Ghanaian tomatoes
88
When did Ghana join the WTO?
1995
