Superpowers Flashcards
Define a superpower
A nation with the ability to project its influence anywhere in the world and be a dominant global force
Name 4 factors that contribute to superpower status
Military
Politics
Cultural
Resources
Define hard power
Coercive power using economic sanctions or military threats
Define soft power
Power achieved through culture, values and ideology
Define smart power
Where a country can use hard and soft power through access to vast resources
Resources may include natural ones, people, military, money
What are examples of hard power?
The UK and USA imposed restrictions on Russia, eg travel bans and asset freeze
2003 invasion or Iraq by the USA to kill Saddam Hussein
1939 Germany invaded Poland
India becoming a British colony
What are examples of soft power?
During Cold War the USA produced films like “the third man” which conveyed a positive view of consumerism and democracy
EU membership has increased from 6 to 28
What’s an example of economic power?
UK funded dam in Malaysia for an arms deal worth 1 Bn pounds
IMF cut Ugandas debt burden for spending on health and education
Countries pay tariffs to trade in EU
What is Mackinders heartland theory?
Whoever rules heartland rules the world
Meaning Russia should be a global power due to its location and access to resources
How has the British empire changed over time?
-Ships went around Africa up to India
-Annexing Falkland Islands => new path to China and Americas
-Suez canal made transport faster
-Influence: Greenwich meantime and missionaries
-London controls transatlantic cables
What are the positives of the British Empire?
-Transport infrastructure
-Education improved
-Resulted in status and power for British people
-Introduction of English as a common language
-Legal systems
-Improved healthcare
What are the negatives of the British empire?
-Partitioning of India resulted in violence due to people escaping homes
-1000s of elderly Kenyans claim to be tortured by British colonial forces
Why did the British empire collapse?
-Postcwat bankruptcy
-Focus on rebuilding Britain
-Anti-colonial movements
How was the USA different to the USSR during the Cold War?
-USA is an oil importer, USSR is an exporter
-USA is capitalist whilst USSR is socialist
-USA has ties with NATO which has strong military power, USSR ties either Cuba and other developing nations
Define neo-colonialism
The indirect control of newly independent countries
Define a unipolar world
Dominated by one hyper power
Define a bipolar world
Stable, divided into 2 opposing blocs
Define a multipolar world
Numerous relationships between more and less powerful states
Why did Japan not become a superpower?
-High interest rates => people saved and didn’t spend
-Ageing population => fewer economically active people
What are strengths and weaknesses of Brazil
Strengths
-50% of South America’s GDP
-3rd largest producer of Iron ore
-60% of South Americas military spending
Weaknesses:
-Accusations of corruption
-Economic fluctuation
-Poor education
Strengths and weaknesses of China
Strengths
-Highly educated and technological
-soon to be worlds largest economy
-Modern infrastructure
-32% of worlds manufacturing
Weaknesses
-Ageing population
-Pollution
-Communism
India strengths and weaknesses
Strengths:
-Youthful population
-Large economic potential
-4th largest military, nuclear armed
Weaknesses:
-Future resource shortages
-Poor relations eg Pakistan
-20% poverty
Define modernisation
Science and tech can be used to advance industry and stimulate economic growth
Explain dependency
All countries are interconnected. Some are winners of global trade, others are losers. Countries become rich by exploiting poorest nations through unfair trade practices
Franks Dependency theory model
Core developed countries give these to peripheral developing countries:
-Political/economic ideas
-manufactured goods
-Pollution
-Aid
Peripheral countries give these to core countries:
-Debt payments
-Raw materials
-Brain drain
Explain Rostows modernisation theory
**Traditional society: **farming, little trade, religious
**Preconditions for takeoff: **Banks, industry, productivity
**Takeoff: **Tech advances food and textiles. Desire for material goods.
**Climax: **drive to maturity, mass consumption, high incomes
Problems with Rostows modernisation theory
-Too oversimplified
-Doesn’t account colonialism
-Eurocentric
How is Wallersteins world systems theory different to Franks dependency theory?
-Includes a semi periphery
-Not static
-Core countries: Cheap places for manufacturing
-Periphery provides raw materials
Aims of the IMF
Promotes global economic security and stability
TNCs access developing economies
Assists countries in reforming economies
Loans
Free market capitalism vs centrally planned economy
-Private ownership of property/homes/possessions
-Private ownership of businesses
-Wages based on supply, demand, skill
-The right to make a profit and accumulate any wealth
Centrally planned
-Government ownership
-Centrally determined wages
-Profits taken by government and used to provide public services
How did the UN and NATO respond to the Bosnian war?
UN sanctioned + carried out Naval blockade
Safe zones established
NATO:
Enforced no fly zone
How do TNCs influence global trade?
-Manufacturing in Asia has shifted economic power
-More exports from developing countries
How do TNCs influence technology?
Farmers forced to sign contracts where they only use chemicals from a particular TNC
Patents from medical companies can make medicines unaffordable eg AIDS treatment
How do TNCs influence culture?
-Apple music => western music globally available
-International foods
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Define cultural hegemony
The way in which people’s opinions can be changed without direct force. The values of the powerful are accepted as common sense. This is reinforced through education systems, religion, the news media, music tv films
India and the environment
-Plans to decarbonise by reducing emissions per unit growth by 35%
-Development strat: manufacturing, mines, airports, coal and nuclear
-Rapid growth => emissions
-Focussing on growth
China and the environment
28% of global emissions
Neutral by 2060
USA and the environment
100Bn commitment to reduce reliance on fossil fuels
How does a growing middle class affect energy and food?
Energy:
Increased demand, shortages, price rise
Food:
Pressure on supply, land use
Eg 180 million tonnes meat consumed in China
What are the claims for the arctic?
Canada: historical land claims
Russia: borders half of arctic circle
Denmark: claims through Greenland
Norway: Svalbard is inhabited by Russians, fisheries in Norway: 150 species
USA: claims through Alaska
Why is there conflict over the arctic?
22% of worlds resources
13% of worlds oil and gas
38% of global forests
Trade routes: faster through arctic
What are the positives of China in Africa?
-Aid
-Jobs created through energy and transport
-Infrastructure
-Trade market for raw materials
-Limited political interference
-HEP
What are the negatives of China in Africa?
Not employing locals
Chinese gov does not challenge human rights issues
Deforestation and oil spills
What is the belt and road initiative?BRI
-Trade routes (modern silk roads)
-Africa connects
-Sri Lanka and Malaysia has pushed back
-Strengthens chinas influence in Vietnam, Thailand, Turkey
-Rail links China uk freight
North Sea route through arctic
Worth 4 to 8 trillion
What are the possible impacts of the BRI?
Challenges USA naval and air hegemony
Island building is against UN laws
Unresolved status of Taiwan complicates situation
Summarise the Syrian conflict
-Began in 2011 due to Arab spring protests
-Escalated into a civil war between president Assads forces, opposition groups, and later jihadist groups like ISIS
-Russia and Iran supported Assad
-USA and UK supported opposition
-Turkey opposed Kurds
Superpower involvement in Syrian war
Russia
Supported Assad’s gov
Maintains naval base in Syria
Iran
Provided military and financial aid to Assad
Backed Hezbollah fighters
USA
led a coalition against ISIS
Turkey
Opposed Assad but focused on stopping Kurdish forces gaining control
