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Superpowers Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the current budget of the United States military? By how much has President Trump pledged to increase this budget?

A

$596bn currently + $54bn pledge increase by Trump

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2
Q

What new military technology has been introduced by the US? When was this introduced?

A

F-35 stealth fighters built by Lockheed Martin rolled out in August 2016.

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3
Q

How many countries have US military bases? Give a strategic example.

A

Military bases in 63 countries, for example United States Force Korea has over 28,500 personnel.

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4
Q

What is the current budget of the Chinese military?

A

$215bn

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5
Q

By how much did Xi Jinping pledge to increase Chinese military spending? When?

A

In 2016, Xi Jinping pledge to increase annual military spending by 7-8%.

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6
Q

What important historical battle cemented Britain’s unipolar dominance? How many British ships ere involved?

A

27 British Ships defeated Napoleonic forces in the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar.

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7
Q

When was Britain’s imperial century? How many people were added to the empire in this time?

A

1815-1914 with over 400 million people added to the empire

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8
Q

What is the current GDP of the United States?

A

$16.77 trillion

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9
Q

What is the PPP-adjusted GDP of China? Why is this important?

A

China has a PPP GDP of $19.8 trillion. This makes it the largest economy in the world.

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10
Q

Give example of a US transnational corporation taking direct control of foreign companies via an acquisition.

A

US multinational Kraft conducted an £11.5bn hostile takeover of Cadbury.

In February 2017, Kraft Heinz attempted to takeover Unilever - but failed.

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11
Q

Who is the largest M&A investor in Africa? What percentage of African mergers/acquisitions does this country make?

A

China is the largest M&A investor in Africa, accounting for 37% of all deals.

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12
Q

What percentage of Chinese investments in Africa are in the oil and mining sectors?

A

80%

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13
Q

Give an example of Chinese stakeholders acquiring assets/resources in Africa.

A

In 2017, China Molybdenum acquired the Tenke copper mine in the Congo for $2.65bn.

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14
Q

What was the peak annual revenue of the East India Company? What products did it deal in?

A

7.6 million pounds per year, exploiting its state-backed monopoly to sell raw silk and cotton produced in India.

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15
Q

How many McDonalds outlets are there globally? How many countries does McDonalds operate in?

A

37,000 outlets across 118 countries

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16
Q

What percentage of Indians speak English?

A

12%

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17
Q

Describe, using a specific example, how Britain exerted its cultural influence via religion.

A

William Carey, an English Baptist, spread Anglicanism to India by establishing 19 mission states, 100 Christian schools (including Sepamore College in West Bengal). Carey also translated the bible into 34 local languages.

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18
Q

In 1859, how large was the royal navy?

A

1000 vessels

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19
Q

When was the Seven Years War? What were the consequences for British imperial dominance?

A

The Seven Years War between 1756 and 1763 forced France to cede Canada and all territory east of the Mississippi to Britain. Spain was forced to cede Florida.

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20
Q

In 2015, what China’s net balance of trade surplus? What was the figure in 2004?

A

In 2015, China’s trade surplus was $600bn - compared to just $32bn in 2004.

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21
Q

How has the Chinese government intervened to improve its trade dominance?

A

The Peoples Bank of China has consistently devalued its currency.

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22
Q

What evidence suggests that Germany is a potential trade superpower?

A

It was the world’s third largest exporter in 2016. Exports account for 41% of its national output. It produces 6 million vehicles domestically, a a further 5.5m vehicles in FDI operations abroad.

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23
Q

How did Britain use mercantilism to maintain its superpower status?

A

Britain imposed heavy tariffs on manufactured goods, allowing it to import low value products (sugar from West Indies, cotton from American South) whilst export high value products.

In 1850, 30% of all manufactured goods were produced in Britain.

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24
Q

How does Britain continue to exert influence on its former colonies?

A

The 52-member Commonwealth of Nations allows Britain to exert soft influence. For example, in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

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25
How has Britain exerted soft cultural influence in recent times?
The 1990s 'Cool Britannia' movement attempted to establish global admiration for British culture. This was seen in Britpop bands such as the Spice Girls.
26
Describe, briefly, how the power structure of the world has changed over time?
The world was multipolar in the Age of Discovery (1500s, 1600s, and 1700s) with European powers competing for global influence. From 1815-1914, the world was unipolar under the dominance of the British Empire. The world became multipolar again in the post-WW2 Cold War era. The world became unipolar after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The world is again entering a multipolar phase with the rise of BRICs.
27
Describe the mercantile system of 'triangular trade'.
- Sugar, tobacco and cotton imported from colonies back to Britain. - Britain processed raw materials into finished goods. These goods were sold to purchase slaves in Africa. - Slaves were then sold in the Americas for use in cotton/sugar production.
28
In the 1760s, how many slaves were transported across the Middle Passage?
42,000 annually
29
When did Britain abandon mercantilism? What was the new policy?
Britain abandoned mercantilism in 1840 - opting for a new 'free trade' approach.
30
In 1922, what percentage of global exports were produced in Britain?
30%
31
How many British servicemen died in WW1? How many civilians died?
745,000 servicemen and 24,000 civilians.
32
When did India gain its independence?
1947
33
What was the UK's debt to GDP ratio following WW2?
200%
34
What was the Brezhnev Doctrine?
Soviet Union has right to invade by force any country which abandons Marxism-Leninism.
35
Give an example of the Brezhnev Doctrine in practice?
250,000 Soviet Union troops invaded Czechoslovakia in 1968 in response to the Prague Spring.
36
How did the Soviet Union spread its influence indirectly by supporting North Vietnam?
It provided 200 tanks, 700 artillery guns, and $450m in arm shipments.
37
How did the Soviet Union spread its influence via Cominform?
Stalinist institution controlled parties including French Communist Party and Italian Communist Party. Maintained grip on communist satellite states.
38
In 1989, describe the economic problems experienced by the Soviet Union.
- Soviet Union's economy was half that of the United States, with GNP per capita of $9,200 compared to $21,000 in US> - Failure to shift toward computerisation with reliance on old IBM 360 systems. - Large black market accounting for 30% of economy.
39
What two policies accelerated the collapse of the Soviet Union?
Glasnost and perestroika.
40
When did the Soviet Union dissolve?
August 1991
41
When did reform begin of the Chinese economy? Who instigated the reforms? What was the name of the programme?
In 1978, Deng Xiaoping introduced 'socialism with Chinese characteristics' to incorporate markets and trade into the planned Chinese economy.
42
What particular policy, under Deng Xiaoping, promoted foreign direct investment and international trade into China? Give an example.
Special Economic Zones. Deng Xiaoping created the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone that now manufactures 90% of all consumer electronics. The Pudong New Area is another example - explaining why the Shanghai Stock Exchange now has a market capitalisation of $3.5 trillion.
43
Describe the exponential population increase experienced in China.
600 million people in 1950 to over 1.38 billion today.
44
What are the three main challenges that may impede China's rise as a superpower/
- An inefficient economy with large 'zombie companies'. Huge overcapacity issues. - Environmental challenges (e.g. Beijing over 300 on the AQI in Winter 2016). - Political pressures (e.g. 2015 Hong Kong protests and 1989 Tienanmen Massacre).
45
Give an example of how Zambia can demonstrate AG Frank's dependency theory?
Copper accounts for 85% of Zambia's exports. 160 Chinese governments have FDI dealings with Zambia. China Non-ferrous Metals Corporation recently purchased the Chambishi copper mine for $20m.
46
Describe how emigration in the Philippines demonstrates AG Frank's dependency theory?
Core nations extract human capital from the Philippines. 45% of all new trainees in the Philippines plan to leave the country - around 850,000 leaving per year. Top three countries for Filipino nurses are US, UK, and S.A.
47
How is Wallerstein's World Systems theory linked to technology?
Wallerstein believed the superpower distribution depended on Kondratiev waves - large economic supercycles based on the changing mode of production.
48
How did Britain use direct colonial control to maintain its power in India?
Britain killed over 100,000 Indian rebels in the 1857 Indian Mutiny.
49
How has Russia recently demonstrated direct military control?
In 2014, Russian troops annexed Crimea following a landslide referendum victory.
50
How has China recently demonstrated direct military control?
In March 2017, it was reported China has built three fully operational bases in the South China Sea.
51
How has the USA used foreign aid to exert indirect influence in the Middle East?
The USA sent $4.5bn in aid to Afghanistan in 2013 to prevent it falling back into the influence of Islamists.
52
Describe the HIPC initiative.
Setup in 1996 to cancel debts of 39 countries at total cost of $71bn. Structural reforms were made a requirement to receive HIPC support. Furthermore, many indebted countries ineligible due to 250% debt-to-exports requirement.
53
Describe how the IMF exerted indirect control over Zambia?
A halving in price of copper combined with 1973 oil crisis meant Zambia has total external debt of $3.2bn by 1980. In 1983, the IMF forced Zambia to undergo a SAP requiring agricultural subsidy cuts, austerity measures, and a removal of import quotas.
54
How has the troika exerted influence over Greece?
The 2015 bailout agreement stipulated that SYRIZA must privatise port facilities in Piraeus and Thessaloniki. The government must also make 0.5% GDP cuts to welfare.
55
How have US cotton subsidies allowed it to maintain its superpower status?
US subsidies its cotton industry by $3bn annually. This has damaged Mali's cotton industry which employs 30% of people. Cornell University estimates worldwide cotton prices are 10% lower due to US subsidises.
56
How did NATO respond to 9/11 attacks?
1. The US invoked Article 5, calling all other members to the defence of the US. 2. An International Security Assistance Force was established in 2003. This meant NATO countries provided troops to assist in the Afghan conflict.
57
How did NATO respond to the Bosnian War?
NATO launched 'Operation Deliberate Force' in which 15 member sates provided 400 aircraft to launch 338 air strikes on Bosnian Serb targets.
58
Who are the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council?
United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France, China
59
How has Russia used its 'veto' power on the UNSC to exert influence?
1. It blocked a resolution in April 2017 that condemned Assad's use of chemical weapons. Assad is a Russian ally. 2. It blocked multiple 2016 resolutions that aimed to stop Russia's airstrikes on Alleppo. 3. It blocked a tribunal in the downing of Malaysian Airflight 17 over Eastern Ukraine.
60
How can the EU be used by superpowers to maintain their status?
1. Trade influence via tariff-free single market. 2. Common Agricultural Policy gives 50 billion euros in subsidies to farmers. 3. Policy influence via Troika (e.g. Greece structural adjustment).
61
How many people attend the World Economic Forum's annual meeting?
2500
62
What was the theme of the 2017 WEF meeting?
'Response and Responsible Leadership'
63
Why has the importance of the G8 declined over the years?
1. It excludes emerging economies such as China. | 2. Russia was excluded from the group temporarily.
64
How many active monthly users does Facebook have?
1.8bn
65
What is Nike's annual revenue?
$30.6bn
66
What is Apple's annual revenue?
$215bn
67
How has China attempted to shield itself from America's 'global culture'?
The Great Firewall of China which blocks services such as Facebook in favour of local Chinese-ran communities such as Weibo and WeChat.
68
How is Russia fighting against American cultural hegemony?
It is embracing rived Russian nationalism. This is seen in the annexation of Crimea.
69
To what extent is demand for energy predicted to rise?
The EIA predicts global demand for energy will increase from 549 quadrillion BTU to over 815 quadrillion BTU in 2040. That is a 40% increase, with 71% of that increase driven by non-OECD countries.
70
How important is China in future energy demand?
By 2030, China will account for 25% of global energy demand. It will consume 60% more energy than the United States.
71
To what extent is demand for water predicted to rise?
Global demand for water is predicted to increase 55% by 2050.
72
What percentage of global emissions are produced by China?
27%
73
Describe how VISA applications from Chinese students to the UK have increased.
There was an 11% increase in 2015.
74
How much did George Osborne project Chinese trade could be worth to the UK?
£30bn by 2020
75
How has the 'One Belt One Road' project created opportunities for the UK?
New trade links due to rail infrastructure. In April 2017, a UK freight train made its debut journey to China following a 7500 mile route.
76
To what extent are Chinese businesses investing in the European Union?
Between 2000 and 2014, Chinese businesses have invested 46 billion euros on over 1000 direct investments.
77
What was the United States trade deficit in 2015?
$502bn
78
How big of an issue is unemployment in Detroit?
20% in 2013, 12% today
79
How many members does the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank have?
52 member countries
80
Give an example of AIIB spending.
In 2017, the AIIB announced $2bn worth of projects including a new dam in Indonesia and new gas pipeline in Bangladesh.
81
What is the financial gap in the UK social care system?
£2bn
82
What is the life expetancy in the UK?
82 years
83
How does the OECD predict the EU's ageing population will impede economic growth?
0.4% less growth up until 2025, 0.9% beyond
84
In 2009, how much money did the China Development Bank loan to developing countries?
$100bn
85
How has Chinese investment helped Nigeria?
$8.3bn investment in the Lagos-Kano Railway. 11,000 Chinese workers bringing new skills, etc.
86
How has Chinese investment helped Sudan?
65 Chinese investment projects including $519m loan helping t oconstruct Merowe HEP dam and 500 MW coal fired plant in Port Sudan.
87
How does China help the sub-Saharan Africa export market?
15% of exports in sub-Saharan African go to China, worth around $23bn
88
How is China investing in African education?
1. China will train 200,000 technicians across Africa in new 'capacity building college's. 2. China has established Confucius institutes, 46 across Africa, that each Chinese language and culture.
89
How is India investing in Africa?
President Modi has pledged to provide 50,000 scholarships to Indian universities for students in Africa.
90
What percentage of trade between China and Africa is based in low-value raw materials?
90%
91
Give examples of Chinese TNCs exploiting workers in the developing world.
1. 12,000 Zambians joined protest at Collum Coal Mine due to underpayment and wage increases of just 20 cents a year. 2. 50 workers will killed in an explosives factory in Zambia in 2005.
92
How has China supported corrupt regimes?
In 2016, the PRC gave $40m in development aid to Robert Mugabe's government - despite being on sanctions lists.
93
What is sub-Saharan Africa's trade deficit with China?
$5bn
94
How has China attempted to claim the South China Sea?
1. Construction of artificial islands in 2014, such as the 230,000 square meter Cuarteron Reef. 2. Claims historical ownership of nine dash line.

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