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Superpowers Flashcards

1
Q

Define a superpower

A

A nation with the ability to project its influence anywhere in the world and be a dominant global force

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2
Q

Name 4 factors that contribute to superpower status

A

Military
Politics
Cultural
Resources

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3
Q

Define hard power

A

Coercive power using economic sanctions or military threats

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4
Q

Define soft power

A

Power achieved through culture, values and ideology

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5
Q

Define smart power

A

Where a country can use hard and soft power through access to vast resources
Resources may include natural ones, people, military, money

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6
Q

What are examples of hard power?

A

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

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7
Q

What are examples of soft power?

A

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

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8
Q

What’s an example of economic power?

A

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

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9
Q

What is Mackinders heartland theory?

A

Whoever rules heartland rules the world
Meaning Russia should be a global power due to its location and access to resources

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10
Q

How has the British empire changed over time?

A

-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

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11
Q

What are the positives of the British Empire?

A

-Transport infrastructure
-Education improved
-Resulted in status and power for British people
-Introduction of English as a common language
-Legal systems
-Improved healthcare

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12
Q

What are the negatives of the British empire?

A

-Partitioning of India resulted in violence due to people escaping homes
-1000s of elderly Kenyans claim to be tortured by British colonial forces

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13
Q

Why did the British empire collapse?

A

-Postcwat bankruptcy
-Focus on rebuilding Britain
-Anti-colonial movements

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14
Q

How was the USA different to the USSR during the Cold War?

A

-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

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15
Q
A
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16
Q

Define neo-colonialism

A

The indirect control of newly independent countries

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17
Q

Define a unipolar world

A

Dominated by one hyper power

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18
Q

Define a bipolar world

A

Stable, divided into 2 opposing blocs

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19
Q

Define a multipolar world

A

Numerous relationships between more and less powerful states

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20
Q

Why did Japan not become a superpower?

A

-High interest rates => people saved and didn’t spend
-Ageing population => fewer economically active people

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21
Q

What are strengths and weaknesses of Brazil

A

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

22
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of China

A

Strengths
-Highly educated and technological
-soon to be worlds largest economy
-Modern infrastructure
-32% of worlds manufacturing
Weaknesses
-Ageing population
-Pollution
-Communism

23
Q

India strengths and weaknesses

A

Strengths:
-Youthful population
-Large economic potential
-4th largest military, nuclear armed
Weaknesses:
-Future resource shortages
-Poor relations eg Pakistan
-20% poverty

24
Q

Define modernisation

A

Science and tech can be used to advance industry and stimulate economic growth

25
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
26
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
27
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
28
Problems with Rostows modernisation theory
-Too oversimplified -Doesn’t account colonialism -Eurocentric
29
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
30
Aims of the IMF
Promotes global economic security and stability TNCs access developing economies Assists countries in reforming economies Loans
31
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
32
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
33
How do TNCs influence global trade?
-Manufacturing in Asia has shifted economic power -More exports from developing countries
34
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
35
How do TNCs influence culture?
-Apple music => western music globally available -International foods -
36
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
37
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
38
China and the environment
28% of global emissions Neutral by 2060
39
USA and the environment
100Bn commitment to reduce reliance on fossil fuels
40
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
41
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
42
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
43
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
44
What are the negatives of China in Africa?
Not employing locals Chinese gov does not challenge human rights issues Deforestation and oil spills
45
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
46
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
47
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
48
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
49
How many countries are in NATO
29
50
Facts about the EU - how many members and how much is trade in Europe worth
500million 27 members
51
How does the patents system works
The patents system registers ideas and allows their investors to make profits off them for a set period of time
52
What percentage of worlds remaining oil and gas is in the arctic?
25%

A level GEO (8 decks)

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