Superpowers Flashcards
- Define superpower.
A nation with the ability to project its influence anywhere in the world and be a dominant global force.
How is power distributed globally?
It is uneven. Some nations/people have a disproportionate influence over decision making with others having limited influence.
Nations can gain and lose power over time.
How could a countries size contribute to it becoming a superpower?
Countries with large land area are important because they usually have greater natural resources and multiple neighbouring countries.
E.G. Russia is the worlds largest country and has large amounts of natural resources and has 14 neighbouring countries.
How could a countries military power contribute to it becoming a superpower?
Countries with a large military can be seen as more powerful (e.g. India or China), however the type and amount of weapons owned is also a show of power (e.g. only 9 countries possess nuclear weapons)
Military can also be a bargaining chip and can be used to achieve geopolitical goals (e.g. removal of Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq in 2003)
How could a countries economy contribute to it becoming a superpower?
Countries with the largest economies have a significant global influence (e.g. USA, China, UK, India, Russia)
The top 12 largest economies earn 2/3 of the worlds GDP, control investment, use the worlds most powerful currencies and determine economic policies.
It is often described as the prerequisite for power.
How could a countries population size contribute to it becoming a superpower?
They encourage economic growth through markets (e.g. EU)
Cheaper workers can promote economic growth (e.g. China & India)
Can support large militaries (e.g. China & India)
However some countries (e.g. Singapore) have been able to promote significant economic growth without a large population.
How could a countries resource availability contribute to it becoming a superpower?
Countries with natural recourses necessary for economic development should hold significant power (e.g. Russia – gas; Middle East – oil; China – rare earth minerals)
However they may not be due to exporting raw materials adding little value (e.g. Australia) or because TNCs control a large volume of resources (e.g. Shell)
How could a countries culture contribute to it becoming a superpower?
Spread of culture is a soft influence.
Europe and USA export their cultural ideals around the world (Westernisation) shown by how well known TNC logos are (e.g. McDonalds serves 65m customers daily)
- Was 1800-1919 a unipolar, bipolar or multipolar era?
Unipolar -> British Empire
Was 1919-1939 a unipolar, bipolar or multipolar era?
Multipolar -> UK, USA, Japan, USSR
Was 1945-1990 a unipolar, bipolar or multipolar era?
Bipolar -> USA, USSR
Is 1990-present a unipolar, bipolar or multipolar era?
Depends who you ask
Unipolar -> USA
Bipolar -> USA & EU or USA & China
Multipolar -> USA, EU & BRICS
Define hard power.
Power through force or coercion, likely to involve military or economic sanctions.
Define soft power.
Exerting influence through favour or persuasion, likely to involve cultural power (aka making countries follow your lead due to attractive and appealing policies.
Define geo-strategic policies.
Using geography to achieve political goals such as control of raw materials like oil.
What was Mackinder’s Heartland Theory?
Whoever ruled the heartland would control the landmasses of Europe and Russia and this influence would allow them to control the world.
What are the strengths of Mackinder’s Heartland Theory?
- Lots of powerful countries in/near the Heartland
- Peripheral countries like Australia and African countries
- Nai Germany believed it
- Russia is trying to take over Ukraine
What are the weaknesses of Mackinder’s Heartland Theory?
- USA is the largest superpower today but is no where near heartland
- Doesn’t take in account globalisation
How relevant was Mackinder’s Heartland Theory in history?
- British Empire wanted to secure strategic areas of land
- Nazi Germany believed that occupying other countries was a logical and vital way to ensure Lebensraum, or ‘living space’.
- After World War Two, the USA adopted a policy of containment of the USSR and China in order to try to limit the spread of communism.
How relevant is Mackinder’s Heartland Theory in today?
- NATO continues the US policy of containment today in eastern Europe against Russia.
- Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 from Ukraine and invaded Ukraine in 2022.
- China expanding its military and building artificial islands in the South China Sea.
Which year was Mackinder’s Heartland Theory created?
1904 (old, outdated?)
- Define a unipolar world.
A world dominated by one superpower (or hyperpower)
E.g. 1850-1919 British Empire
Define a bipolar world.
World divided by two opposing power blocs.
E.g. 1945-1991 Cold War (USA vs. USSR)
Define a multipolar world.
Numerous relationships between more or less equally powerful states.
E.g. 1919-1939 Inter-war era
UK, France, Germany, USA, Italy, Japan, USSR
What percentage of the world’s population and land did the British Empire control at its peak?
25% population and 25% land area.
In 1914, which country had the largest navy?
Britain -> twice as big as the next largest (Germany)
Why did the British Empire develop?
- to obtain raw materials
- to secure trade routes and markets
- to extend political power and beliefs
How did the British Empire maintain and extend its power?
Via direct control.
What happened in the colonies was largely determined by the colonial power and enforced by military might.
Define direct control.
Where there is political and perhaps military control of another country.
What continent was most colonial powers from?
Europe
What country is the case study for direct control?
Colonised India under the British Empire
