Superpowers Flashcards
Superpower?
A nation which has the ability to project its influence around the world
What are the 4 ways a superpower can have its power?
Economic
Military
Political and ideology
Cultural
Economic power?
Control trade, strong military, own debt
Military power?
Threaten to invade, achieve geopolitical goals
Political power?
Match political systems, influence
Cultural power?
Westernisation, align ideology
What are examples of physical resources?
Oil and gas
Hard power?
Milirary, owning debt
Soft power?
Culture and trade alliances
What is Mackinder’s geo-strategic location theory?
Classified a region of Eurasia as “heartland”, a geostrategic location (control of human and physical resources)
Contributed to policies of containment
Shrinking world= reduced importiance
Wallerstein’s World systems theory?
All about inequality and wealth Core exploit (colonialism) the semi-pheripery and pehripary
Rostow’s modernisation theory?
5 stages of development:
Traditional society, Pre cond for take off, take of, drive to maturity and high mass consumption
Only considers American and European countries, advancement and isolated countries
Feature of a traditional society in terms of modernisation theory
Primary industry, limited tech and knowledge
Feature of Pre conditions for take off in terms of modernisation theory
Increase in demand, infrastructure improvement= FDI
Feature of a take off in terms of modernisation theory
Rapid industrialisation, environmental degradion
Feature of a drive to maturity in terms of modernisation theory
Economy encourages investment= jobs and opportunity
Feature of a high mass consumption in terms of modernisation theory
Developed countrys but only con
Unipolar?
One country dominates
Bipolar?
Two superpowers, opposing ideologies
Mulitpolar?
Several powers competing
A nations power is not…
fixec
In terms of power, what is the world currently?
Unipolar world
What type of power did the british empire impose?
Hard power
In terms of power, what did the world used to be?
Unipolar
What quarter of the worlds land did the british empire have control of?
1/4
What are the major positives that came from colonialization?
Railway lines, the spread of English language, education
What were the major cons that stemmed from colonialization?
No governments and discriminating policies= conflict, neo-colony theory.
Colonialism?
Control by one power over a dependent area or people.
Why did many empires collapse after 20th cent?
Bankrupt, more focused on rebuilding homes (war) and anti-colonial movements gained popularity
What was neo-colonialism first described as?
The dependence of former colonies on other countries, exploited colonies
What is neo-colonialism now described as?
The exploitive relationship between more powerful countries taking advantage of the less developed eg IMF and world bank offering out loans to less developed economies when they know they cannot repay them
Neo-colony?
A controlled/dominted colony by another
Neo-colonial power?
The continuing dependence of former colonies on other countries (links to dependency model)
Cold war?
A series of proxy wars where there was limited fighting
1945-90, geopolitical tension between USA (Capatlist) and USSR (communist)
What did the USSR do during the cold war?
Formed a warship pact with its allies, installed communist govs in Europe that acted as a “shield”
What did the USA do during the cold war?
Created NATO (allies), invested in countries (eg japan etc) to protect them from communism, space race competition
Communism key features?
Gov owns land, wages and supply of goods
Capitalism key features?
Private business ownership (including wages), free trade
What are the main features of a growing economy?
Rapid growth
Free market
Large projected growth
What are the two main examples of trade blocs?
BRICS
G20
Who are the BRICS?
Brazil Russia India China South Africa
Who are the G20?
EU Turkey Indonesia South korea Mexico
In terms of the G20, how much do they account for of the worlds trade?
85%
How much does brazil account for Americas GDP?
50%
In terms of the BRICS, what is Brazils economy like?
Large water reserves
Self sufficient
Energy and food secure
Boom and bust economy phases
In terms of the BRICS, what is Brazils political climate like?
Unstable and corrupt
President impeached
In terms of the BRICS, what is Brazils demographics like?
210million people
Young
Low fertility
In terms of the BRICS, what is Brazils military like?
Insignificant
Small regional role
In terms of the BRICS, what is Brazils cultural influence like?
Footballing nation: Olympics and FIFA world cup
In terms of the BRICS, what is Brazils environment like?
Deforestation and high pollution levels
In terms of the BRICS, what is Chinas economy like?
Player in global investment Develops economies Modernised infrastructure eg high speed rail Not very innovative, copies Rising wages
In terms of the BRICS, what is Chinas political climate like?
Limited international relations
Tense relationship with south east asian nations
In terms of the BRICS, what is Chinas military like?
Largest army
Nuclear weapons
Dated army
In terms of the BRICS, what is Chinas demographics like?
Large population that is degrading= economic collapse
Vast labour pool
Little inward migration= limited skills attraction
Social and healthcare prices rise
In terms of the BRICS, what is Chinas cultural influence like?
Limited BUT invest and develop nations
In terms of the BRICS, what is Chinas environment like?
Largest co2 emitter, rivers polluted, Amazon is being cut down to export here
How much does China account for the USAs GDP?
10%
In terms of the BRICS, what is political climate like?
G20 AND UN
Largest democracy
Poor geopolitical relations
In terms of the BRICS, what is Indias military like?
4th largest
Nuclear weapons
In terms of the BRICS, what is Indias demographics like?
Large pool of labour
Young population
Outward migration= braindrain
In terms of the BRICS, what is Indias cultural influence like?
Food
Bollywood
In terms of the BRICS, what is Indias environment like?
3rd largest emitter of CO2
Large slums
In terms of the BRICS, what is Indias economy like?
Use of English= attract FDI
Poor infrastructure
Lots of debt
Unequal society
In terms of the BRICS, what is Russias economy like?
9th largest
Large oil and gas reserves
EU sanctions
Unequal emerging nation
In terms of the BRICS, what is Russias political influence like?
U security council
Strained EU relation
In terms of the BRICS, what is Russias military like?
Nuclear weapons
Large
Damaged relations with other countrys
In terms of the BRICS, what is Russias demographics like?
Ageing
Low birth rates
Isolated communities= lack of development
In terms of the BRICS, what is Russias cultural influence like?
Little but expanding
In terms of the BRICS, what is Russias environment like?
Ecologically stressed due to human degrading
What are 4 ways in which superpower status could change?
Stability (wars and alliances)
Resources (higher demand= shortages, high price and conflict)
Military (new arms race)
Economy (world more dependent on Asias health than in the west)
What does the world bank and IMF do?
Provide loans to aid development
Why has the world bank and IMF been criticised?
Unethical behaviour: providing loans to countries they know are unable to pay back and in turn they open up their markets and privatise their companies
What does the world trade organisation do?
Ensures free global trade, equality and reduces protectionism measures
Why has the world trade organisation been criticised?
Failed to stop developing nations from protecting their economy (eg from subsidies etc)
What does the world economic forum do?
Promotes public-private co-operation
Why has the world economic forum been criticised?
Costs £19 000 to attend so developing nations are underrepresented
What are two main examples of TNCs and western influence across the globe?
Mcdonalds and coca cola
Who owns publically traded TNCS?
Various share holders
Who owns state owned TNCs?
Owned by governments
What 6 factors have allowed TNCs to become more influential than IGOs?
Economies of scale Ability to borrow money New technology Move towards capitalism = opportunity Global culture Ownership of innovation
Who has dominated global media?
America and Europe (Westernisation)
Westernisation?
whereby societies come under or adopt Western culture in areas such as industry, technology, politics, economics, lifestyle, law, norms
What are three intellectual property laws that TNCs protect new inventions?
Patents
Copyright
Trademarks
Patents?
For technologies and systems
Copyright?
For films and books
Trademarks?
For designs like logos
