SUPERPOWERS

Question 1

what does Geostrategic explain

Answer 1

strategies required in dealing with geopolitical problems

Question 2

what is a Superpower?

Answer 2

A country that has the capacity to project dominating and influential power anywhere in the world, perhaps in more than one regions e.g. The US is influential anywhere in the world

Question 3

What is an emerging power?

Answer 3

recognises the rising, primarily economic, influence of a nation who has gradually increases their presence in global affairs e.g. India

Question 4

What is a Regional power?

Answer 4

A state that has power within a geographic region e.g. Nigeria in Africa

Question 5

how was hard power used by the British Empire to spread its influence?

Answer 5

• imposing government systems
• imposing language
• introducing divisions of power e.g. Upper and lower classes
• introduced idea of sub-divisions of power e.g. Asian middle class in East Africa
• the use of military force
• The British empire represented colonialism- gaining direct control over other countries

Question 6

What is economic imperialism?

Answer 6

describes dominant economies putting pressure on smaller economies

Question 7

what is neocolonialism and give an example

Answer 7

-form of indirectly influencing and gaining control over
a developing country
-e.g. China in Africa

Question 8

describe the bi-polar world 1945-1990

Answer 8

• the end of WW11 resulted in the emergence of 2 world superpowers
• US focused on globalisation and expanding its global sphere of influence
• Views of the USSR where different. USSR took control of many European nations and induced a communist regime
• The collapse of the Berlin wall signified the ending of colonialism and the divide
• USA became a world hyperpower

Question 9

How does physical size help a country gain power and influence?

Answer 9

• large countries, access to more resources- can be more self sufficient
• e.g. Russia, worlds largest country- controls vast resources like natural gas. However, low population compared to size

Question 10

what were the IMF and world bank set up for?

Answer 10

to provide aid to developing countries- help economic development. Economic strength in the foundation for building a status as a superpower. The G20 give the most aid to the worlds poorest countries.

Question 11

How are demographic factors important for a country to gain power?

Answer 11

• large population important for a large workforce—> economic success
• e.g. inward migration into the UK provide the country with a larger workforce
• e.g. China and Indias huge populations have allowed them to use cheap labour as an incentive to attract investments
• also a large pop gives access to a single market e.g. EU- combined pop of member countries so a single market
• however large population not crucial e.g. Singapores population is half that of Londons, however, highly influential in the East

Question 12

what is the OECD and what does it promote?

Answer 12

• the OECD is the operation of economic cooperation and development
• it is made up of 35 of the worlds richest countries
• it aims to promote the sharing of ideas, issues and policies- create a global common ground in politics

Question 13

how is military power important for a country to gain power?

Answer 13

• military often used to protect country- security
• size of military often reflects the power of a country
• USA has the worlds largest military- 800 worldwide bases
• followed by China, but USA spends 5x more than China on military
• China’s military lacks global reach- mostly influential in the East
• China’s influence in the south china sea:
• expanding sphere of influence
• expanding territory
• threatening to USA? shows military is building strength

Question 14

what is energy security?

Answer 14

measure of a countries access to resources, and ability to sustain growing population and greater demands. A country with access to its own resources will be more energy secure, as it will be less dependant on other countries

Question 15

strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats to China

Answer 15

Strengths
-large population- large workforce
-largest recipient of FDI
-successful infrastructure 
-heavily influencial overseas
-brand china- productive, hardworking workforce
Weaknesses
-one-party gov, communist 
-little military reach
-few global brands 
Oppurtunities
-growing domestic market because increasing middle class
-Africa
Threats
-huge emmissions of CO2
-is the growing economy sustainable e.g. environmental impacts
-ageing population

Question 16

describe the Brandt line

Answer 16

• shows a North-South divide in terms of economic and social development
• suggested northern countries are wealthier
• model is outdated
• ignores regional differences in wealth e.g. Nigeria richer and more developed than surrounding areas
• ignores emerging countries like BRIC economies and Asian Tiger countries.

Question 17

describe the Modernisation theory

Answer 17

• shows the economic development of all countries would follow five steps
• traditional society e.g. subsistence farming
• development of infrastructure- gives conditions for pre-takeoff
• Industrialisation e.g. India
• further development of country- more money spent in other areas e.g. healthcare –> drive to maturity
• population is wealthier, more economically active- rising middle class
• this model doesn’t account for other factors effecting development e.g. geographical location, politics, natural hazards

Question 18

explain the dependency theory

Answer 18

• suggests an international division of labour
• class distinction
• suggests global capitalism keeps the system going
• economically developed core and underdeveloped periphery
• suggests core deliberately keeps the periphery in a state of underdevelopment e.g. by exploiting its resources
• the core countries pollute the periphery countries e.g. by the race to the bottom
• developing poorer countries export resources to the rich

Question 19

describe the role of TNCs in Trade

Answer 19

• global shift to Asian countries
• led to a rapid increase in exports in Eastern countries
• largely intracompany trade

Question 20

describe the role of TNCs in technology

Answer 20

• WTO introduced TRIPs, patents. -Encouraged TNCs to invest in research and innovation
• however, this led to negative impacts for poorer countries as Pharmaceutical companies often set their prices too high, developing countries can’t afford.

Question 21

what is the aim of NATO?

Answer 21

• adopts the idea that an attack on one country is an attack on all member countries
• creates military strength

Question 22

what is ANZUS?

Answer 22

• made up of Aus, New Zealand, and the US
• binds these countries to cooperate on military matters
• helped the US to maintain its military presence in the Pacific

Question 23

what is the IPCC and what does it promote?

Answer 23

-The International Panel of Climate Change was established by the UN
-produces reports focused on climate change
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