Superpowers Flashcards
Define Superpower
A nation with the ability to project its influence anywhere in the world and be a dominant global force.
Define a Hyperpower
An unchallenged superpower that is dominant in all aspects of power (political, economic, cultural, military); examples include the USA from 1990 to 2010 and Britain from 1850 to 1910
Define free trade
The exchange of goods and services free of import/export taxes and tariffs or quotas on trade volume.
Taxes, tariffs and quotas are forms of protectionism designed to make imports more expensive than locally sourced goods.
Define Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
The area of ocean extending 200 nautical miles beyond the coastline (or to the edge of the continental shelf),over which a nation controls the sea and sub-sea resources. EEZ borders are decided by the UN in the event of a dispute.
What was the Arab Spring?
A series of pro democracy, pro human rights civil uprisings in 2011 that affected Syria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Bahrain and Iran. some governments were over thrown but in most cases, protracted instability followed the up risings.
Define economic restructuring
The shift from primary and secondary industry towards tertiary and quaternary industry as a result of deindustriallisation. It has large social and economic costs.
What is the World Bank
Makes develpopment loans to developing countries, but within a “free-market” model that promotes exports, trade, industrialisation and private businesses, which benefits large developed- world TNCs.
What is the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Promotes global economic security and stability, and assists countries to reform their economies . Economic reforms often mean more open access to developing economies for TNCs.
What is the World Economic Forum (WEF)
A Swiss non-profit organisation that promotes globalisation and free trade via its annual meeting at Davos, which brings together the global business and political elite.
What is the World Trade Organization (WTO)
IGO that regulates global trade. Established in 1995, it has brokered many agreements aimed at promoting open and reducing protectionism. Previously known as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
Describe Mackinder’s Heartland
Halford Mackinder’s referred to Eurasia as the Heartland as its a key geo-strategic location becasue of the control it had over the worlds physical and human resources.
How was Mackinders Heartland theory influential?
The theory contributed to policies of containment:
Attempts, after the First World War, to limit the ability of Germany to expand the land it controlled
The post WW2 Nato allies attempts to contain the Soviet Union from expanding into western and southern Europe.
The American”Truman Doctrine” policy of the 1940s and 1950s to contain the spread off communism.
Define Acculturation
A process of cultural change that takes place when two different cultures meet an interact; it includes the transfer of a dominant culture;s ideas on to a subordinate culture.
Describe the two phases of the British Empire.
The Mercantile Phase:
Small colonies are conquered on coastal fringes e.g. Jamaica and Bombay (India). The navy protected trade in raw materials (sugar, coffee, tea) and slaves.
The Imperial phase:
Coastal colonies extend inland. Culture and language are used to show authority, e.g. English, rugby and tea.Trade develops, UK exports to new colonised audience. British farmers settle. Technology such as telegraph systems and railways developed.
Why had most of the colonial powers lost their colonies by the 1970s?
Post war bankruptcy meant that there was no money to run, or defend colonies.
The focus on post war reconstructions in Europe meant that colonies were viewed as less important.
Anti colonial movements, for example in India, grew increasingly strong and demands for independence could not be ignored.
Use an example to explain colonialism and influence.
British military personal and entrepreneurs emigrated to India to run the Raj (rule)
Educated Indians wore European clothes and spoke English. They still held lower administrative jobs.
Symbols of imperial power such as the residence of the governor general in Delhi and the Howrah bridge in Kolkata, demonstrated Britain’s imperial wealth and technical prowess.
A process of acculturation was undertaken as British traditions, such as cricket, afternoon tea and the English language were introduced.
A strict social order was maintained that differentiated the ruling white British from the Indians.
Name 3 proxy wars that happened during the 20th century.
1950-3, The Korean War, which led to the division of Korea into US backed South Korea and Chinese/Russian backed North Korea.
1955-75 The Vietnam War fought directly by the USA but was indirectly by China and some USSR weaponry.
1962 The Cuban Missile Crisis the closest the USSR and the USA got to direct conflict during the Cold War.
Describe the state of the USA during the Cold War
Population: 287 million
Resources: Mainly self sufficient but imports oil.
Economy: Capitalist free market and many global TNCs
Politics:Democracy with free elections
Allies:Western Europe through NATO. Ties wiith Japan and South Korea through military force.
Culture: Film, radio, TV and music industry successfully conveyed American values through =out the world. Levi Jeans , were seen as a symbol of capitalism and freedom to West Germans.
Describe the state of the USSR during the Cold War
Population: 291 million
Resources: Self sufficient, Oil exporter
Economy: Socialist, centrally planned economy (spending by direct need). Most businesses are state owned.
Politics: Single part state with no free elections
Allies:Eastern Europe (the Warsaw pact countries) and alliances with Cuba and other developing socialist nations.
Culture:
Describe strategic alliances as a mechanism of neo-colonial control.
Military alliances between developing nations and super power as make the developing nation dependent on military aid and equipment from the superpower.
Describe Aid as a mechanism of neo-colonial control.
Development aid comes with strings attached (tied aid) forcing the recipient to agree to policies and spending priorities suggested by the aid of the donor.
Describe TNC investment as a mechanism of neo-colonial control.
FDI, investment from abroad may create jobs and wealth, but be dependent on the receiving country following “friendly” policies.
Describe Terms of Trade as a mechanism of neo-colonial control.
Low commodity export prices contrast with high prices for imported goods from developed countries, inhibiting development.
Describe debt as a mechanism of neo-colonial control.
Developing countries borrow money from developed ones and then end up in a debtor- creditor relationship.
Define hegemony
Hegemony is a term used to describe the dominance of a superpower (the hegemonic power or hegemon) over other countries. Hegemony can be exercised in several ways such as military force, culture etc.
Name the 2030 projections for the 5 nations with top GDPs.
USA=US$25 trillion China=US$22 trillion India=US$7 trillion Japan=US$6 trillion Germany=US$6 trillion
Name the 2030 projections for the countries with the largest populations.
India=1520 million China=1390 million USA=360 million Indonesia=280 million Nigeria=260 million
What preconditions did Rostow name for pre-industrial societies to renew in his Modernisation Theory?
Exports of raw materials to generate income.
Development of key infrastructure, e.g. roads, ports, electricity.
Technology, e.g. telephones, radio, television, becomes more widespread.
Education, leading to increased social mobility.
Banking and financial systems, to allow places to take part in global trade.
Governance to protect investors, property owners and trade transactions.
What does Rostows modernisation theory show?
It describes the process pf economic change and growth and what a developing nation needs in order to gain influence.
Describe Frank’s dependency theory
Andre Gunder Frank saw satelite (periphery) countries as providing a range of services to metropolitan (core) countries.e.g. cheap labour and resources. Core countries therefore have control over periphery nations economies through neo colonialism.
It overlooks the changing nature of superpower status and emerging superpowers.
