superpowers Flashcards
define regional power
a state that has power within a geographic region like Europe, Africa etc.
what is are examples of a regional power?
- Germany
- Brazil
define emerging power
the emerging power (usually economic) of a country that used to be less economically developed
what is an example of an emerging power?
- China
define superpower
a state that has the ability to exert its influence and power through economic or military means at any time
what is an example of a superpower country?
- USA
define geostrategic
the strategy required in dealing with geopolitical problems
define geopolitics
politics, especially international relations. as influenced by geographical factors
what factors make a superpower?
- population
- language
- natural resources
- energy potential
- economic strength
- military strength
- size/land area
- cultural
how does language influence a superpower?
- English is has the most speakers worldwide, which is spread by globalisation
- using English in the media and literature gives more power
how can population influence a superpower?
- economic growth cant be sustained without a large workforce.
- HOWEVER Singapore has a small population but has significant economic growth
how can size/land area influence a superpower?
- access to more natural resources
- extend influence over a larger number of neighbours
how can military strength influence a superpower?
- larger military could mean more power
- HOWEVER the types of weapon owned will also influence this
how can economic strength influence a superpower?
- larger economies have more power
- using the world’s most powerful currencies
- can control investment
- the G20 can influence and control the global economy to benefit themselves
how can energy potential influence a superpower?
- having energy security and a diverse mix with renewables will be more powerful
how can culture influence a superpower?
- religious leaders can influence politics
- capitalism can influence the world
how can natural resources influence a superpower?
- having resources for economic development creates power
- HOWEVER exporting raw materials has a low value, TNCs control more resources than states
what are the 4 main types of power in geopolitics?
- political
- military
- economic
- cultural
what is political power?
being able to exert political influence and control on an international level
what is an example of political power?
- the G8 countries
- USA sanctions on Russia over Syria and Ukraine conflicts
what is military power?
being able to enforce your military strength whenever or wherever you see fit globally
what is economic power?
being able to buy, control or enforce yourself by economic means internationally
what is cultural power?
using your country’s unique culture and identity to attract or persuade people to buy into it from anywhere in the world
what is an example of military power?
Russia invading Ukraine
what is an example of economic power?
the space race between USA, China and Russia
what is an example of cultural power?
McDonalds restaurants are in 68 countries
what is hard power?
power through force or coercion and likely to involve military power or economic sanctions
what is soft power?
exerting influence through favour and persuasion and therefore likely to be based on cultural power
how has the USA’s military made it a superpower?
- they have 800 military bases globally
- large military spending
how has the USA’s economy made it a superpower?
- promotes free trade
- majority of TNCs have headquarters in the USA
- avoided economic ruin after WW2 despite being involves
how has the USA’s culture made it a superpower?
- westernization
how has the USA’s geography made it a superpower?
- large land area
- territories worldwide
- East and West coastlines provide connections to Europe and Asia
- natural resources and geothermal energy
how has the USA’s institutions made it a superpower?
- Bretton Woods institutions
- NATO
- United Nations
- have had a large role in writing global laws and legislations, which can be made to suit themselves
describe the Heartland theory
the idea that whoever controlled Europe and Asia would control the world, as they were the largest land masses
what is the soft power index?
an index based on data from government, culture, global engagement, enterprise and digital, alongside international polling data
define propaganda
information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view
what is an example of hard power?
- trade embargo
- economic sanctions
what is an example of soft power?
the global dominance of the USA through TNCs and media
define colonial
the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another county, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically
define imperialism
a policy extending a county’s power and influence through colonization, use of military force or other means
define colonisation
the physical settling of people from a colonial power within their country
define spheres of influence
a large geographic area of the world in which another country has power to affect developments even though it has no formal authority
define unipolar
when one state exercises the most of the cultural, economic, and military power and influence over the rest
define bipolar
when two nations exercise the most of the cultural, economic, and military power and influence over the rest
define multipolar
when multiple countries exercise the most of the cultural, economic, and military power and influence over the rest
define evangelism
the spreading of Christianity through missionaries
When was the British Empire
1583-1997 approx.
When was the British Empire at its peak?
Around 1922.
How did the British Empire maintain their power?
- strong military
- evangelism
- slavery
- industrial revolution
- main transoceanic cables were controlled in London
- adding new colonies to prevent existing ones from rebelling
How did the British Empire use military control in India as a way of maintaining power?
British soldiers led Indian troops who then helped to build the British Empire. Rebellion by Indian citizens was met with Savage retaliation.
How did the British Empire use political control in India as a way of maintaining power?
They signed a treaty with the Indian Princes, allowing them to still control their land. However, Britain then stripped them of his power. But they let them keep their palace
How did the British Empire use cultural control in India as a way of maintaining power?
British culture took over in everyday practises. British architecture was used. 1897 Diamond Jubilee involved Indian soldiers.
Why did the British government have very little choice but to grant India for dependence after World War Two?
- Uprisings in India meant few people backed the British Empire making it harder for British to maintain power.
- Britain were financially unable to continue to rule and look after India as a result of World War Two.
- for Britain to get economic and social funding from their Allies the USA, after World War 2, they would need to stop their colonial rule
- Britain were losing control in India due to the 1945 government of India Act which meant Indian politicians were gaining power.
Why did the British Empire fall?
- After World War Two, Britain could no longer afford an empire.
- the Navy was no longer strong enough to protect all of it.
- There was a strong independence movement across the empire
- Treaty of Versailles promoted the right to rule yourself making it difficult for Britain to support this movement when they had colonies which couldn’t rule themselves.
What evidence is there to display the continuing influence of the British Empire?
- Foreign artefacts with disputed ownership in the British Museum
- anger towards Britain as a result of large scale death from the Bengal famine
- The divide between India and Pakistan resulting in the separation of families and religion which had once coexisted together.
Define Alliance.
A union or association formed the mutual benefit, especially between countries or organisations.
Define indirect control.
Where one country will have some form of control (economic, social or legal) over another without directly dealing with them
When was the Cold War era
Between 1945 and 1990.
who were the main superpowers in the Cold War era.
- USA
- USSR (soviet union)
What are the features of capitalism?
- freedom of speech
- private ownership
- uneven share of wealth
- elections held, democracy
- separation between church and state
What are the features of communism?
- heavily restricted speech and media
- government/ state owned
- equal wealth
- tight control
What are some key comparisons between the USA and USSO?
The USA was a capitalist nation with NATO as allies whereas the USSR was communist with allies in Eastern Europe via the Warsaw pact.
What is the iron curtain?
The term given to the imaginary line drawn between communism in the east and the Democratic governments in the West. It was built to prevent any future invasion of Soviet Russia. with the aim to preserve cultures and ideology, preventing the free flow of people.
Where can the iron wall be seen?
It is marked by the Berlin Wall, highlighting the divide between East and West Germany.
What influences has the USA had in the bipolar world?
- The USA is a member of nato, which provides political and military power.
- economic influence through the Marshall Plan, which saw the USA providing large amounts of financial aid to Western European countries after World War Two. Alongside an inward investment into countries to promote economic development and prevent the spread of communism. The USA also held cultural influence through film and the media.
what influences has the USSR had in the bipolar world?
The USSR had nuclear weapons and military alliances through the Warsaw Pact, which provided a buffer between the West. The USSR had heavy political influence in Eastern European countries and invested heavily in its allies. The USSR used propaganda to portray the USA as immoral