Superpowers Flashcards
What is free market capitalism?
It encourages private ownership of industries, competition and trade.
What is a centrally planned economy?
Industry, land, property and profit is solely government-owned. There is no competition and prices remain stable.
An example of a centrally planned economy
North Korea - they aim to be fully self-sufficient.
Is China a centrally planned economy or capitalist state?
Chins was originally a centrally planned economy but has accepted private ownership of certain industries in recent years while still obtaining the largest share in the company in order to hold the greatest level of control.
What is an IGO?
A committee of countries who work together to gain global financial and political stability.
World Bank?
Loans money to developing countries so that they can industrialise.
IMF?
Provides financial assistance to developing countries as long as they trade liberalise.
WTO?
Regulates world trade and encourages the implementation of reduced tariffs on trade.
WEF?
A group of political leaders and businessmen who aim to promote their economic ideologies globally.
What is a criticism of IGOs?
They aim to help countries grow in a capitalist/westernised way while still retaining the USA’s superpower status. Instead, many countries may prefer a protectionist approach which involves protecting local industries from the threat of domestic goods.
How many people were employed in the coal mines in 1980 compared to the mid 1990s?
1980 - 240,000
Mid 1990s - 13,000
How much of Las Vegas’ water comes from the Colorado River and why is this a challenge to the USA?
90% but the Colorado River is drying up due to over abstraction. This demonstrates that the USA’s natural gas reserves are depleting and therefore they are risking not being self sufficient (a superpower characteristic).
What is a stat that shows the significance of the EUs ageing population ?
By 2025, 20% of EU citizens will be over 65.
What is a stat that shows the USA’s ageing population?
The number of citizens aged 65+ will more than double in the next 49 years.
What was the youth unemployment rate in the EU in 2015?
22%
What are the three main assessment themes for the impacts of rising resource consumption on people and the environment?
1) impact on future generations - EU vs China
2) environmental degradation - India’s water scarcity
3) social inequality - Haiti’s reliance on imported oil
What are the three main assessment themes for where the biggest tensions lie?
1) territory - Russia and Ukraine / South China Sea
2) intellectual property rights - USA and China
3) physical resources - Arctic Circle
What are the three main assessment themes for impact on people and environment as a result of increasing economic ties between emerging and developing world?
1) opportunities - Port of Lamu and HEP plants
2) challenges - Chinese migrant workers / neo-colonial type relationship