Superpowers Flashcards
what does superpower mean
A Superpower is a large country with a large population, strong economy, great military power, and great political and cultural influence. … Their power is global in nature, as they have to control their economy at home and overseas.
what are the 7 pillars of superpower status
1) economic power
2) physical size and geographical position of the country
3) Demographic factors
4) political factors
5) military
6) cultural
7) physical resources
how can political factors influence superpower status.
The ability to influence other countries in a way which suits their
desires or match their political systems. Ideology is closely linked with politics, as many
states may force their ideology through policies.
explain hgow economic power is important in superpower status.
– A large economy enables a nation to control trade. They can also use their
money to invest in a strong military force and exploit natural resources. They may also
own the debt of other nations thereby having power over them.
physical size and geographgical position in importance in superpower status.
larger the country the more resources and larger influence it will have.
demographic factors in super power importance.
the higher the populatrion size the greater the workforce the country tends to have.A large human workforce if utilised properly can help to develop a nation’s economy. For example, the emerging superpowers China and India both have large populations which are being used in manufacturing to develop their economies.
how does military strength affect superpowers
A nation can use their military to threaten or invade other countries (hard power) or to achieve geo-political goals (such as UN Peacekeeping Missions).
USA is currently the lead in military power globally because of the vast investment in military power. However in the recent years military power has become less signifdicant over the years.
what are the two types of power
hard and soft power
explain hard power
Using military and direct political intervention to change or influence the behaviour of other countries.
● Military action
● Threat of trade restrictions
(embargos)
● Use of economic sanctions to damage a nation’s economy
● Owning the debt of other countries
explain soft power
Attracting national governments and individuals to their country through
● Attractive culture & lifestyle
● Sought-after political advice
● Foreign policies that encourage migration
● Trade alliances
● Foreign direct investment in
business, infrastructure or facilities
uni polar world
One country dominates e.g. the USA currently or the British Empire during colonial times
bipolar world
Where there are two main superpowers with opposing ideas and ideologies e.g. the USA and USSR during the Cold War.
multi polar world
Where there are several powers and emerging powers competing for power and global influence.
what 3 ways did USA and USSR maintained their influence in bi polar world
- military influence
- political influence
- cultural influenec
disadvantages of hard power
expensives , usually cost people lives.
Mackinder’s Geo-Strategic Location Theory
mackinder classified eurasia as the ‘heartland’ which is the area from Russia to china
-geostrategic location since it controlled large amount of physical and human resources.
The theory was influential because it contributed to policies of containment: - After WWI, attempts were made to limit Germany’s expansion into this strategic area. - After WWII, NATO allies tried to contain the Soviets from expanding into south and west Europe.
- because of the shrinking world effect, so easier transportation and advanced technology , the dominance has shifted to Asia.
Wallerstein’s World Systems Theory
identifies two different economic areas within the world - the core and the periphery.
- Core regions are economic powerhouses and therefore control most aspects of global trade such as trade agreements and trading currency. The core regions trade with those in the periphery who often provide labour and materials for the core nations.
The theory tries to explain inequality in wealth and development across the world. In the past relationships between the core and periphery were purely exploitative (colonialism) and the periphery was forced to provide their natural resources through means of hard power such as military force or occupation. For example, the British Empire’s exploitation of India for natural resources. In more recent times this relationship centres around trade agreements (soft power) which often benefit the core regions more than they benefit the periphery. These trade agreements often favour the core nations.
Rostow’s Modernisation Theory
beleive that a country passes throuygh 5 stages during economic development
1) Traditional Society - countrys economy mainly depending on mining , agriculyture and small vbusinesses. minimal scientific knowlegde.
● Pre-conditions for Take Off - increased construction and infrasturs. trade with other countries and increase in FDI and increase in GDP and jobs. more manufacture
● Take Off - rapid industrilasiton , increase employment and enviromemntal degredation , people exploited.
● This is often fuelled by relaxed laws and regulations protecting the natural son accelerates, Drive to Maturity - Over a period of time, the growing economy will encourage new industries and investment, creating further jobs, improving services through increased tax. This is a positive feedback mechanism of gradually improving living conditions.
● High Mass Consumption - Developed countries, in Rostow’s opinion, are countries who are capitalistic and consumers hold the most valuable opinion. Often goods are catered towards these markets, as families have disposable income to spend.
limitations of rostow theory
- theory nbased mainly on american and eurpean development. not covering the whole world.Rostow’s Model only considers the advancement of development, so doesn’t describe a nation that is declining. Some examples of declining states include:
● The USSR (post-cold war) - following ‘loss’ in the Cold War, the USSR became bankrupt and disbanded into the nations of today - Ukraine, Belarus, etc. The new Russia faced economic recession and social deprivation.
● Zimbabwe - For a large period of time, the government has been corrupt, limiting the country’s development regardless of its level of industrial capacity.
what polarity is the current world in
uni polar world
why is the current world uni polar
becayuse of rapidly emerging superpowers.
how much of the world did the British empire rule during its colonial era
quarter of worlds land and a third of the worlds population.
who dominated half of the worlds oceans
british empire
who dominated the other half, like the mediterrainean sea, black sea, perisan gulf, red sea and arabian sea
ottoman empire
which type of power the briotish empire use
hard power- invaded other countries like India, and colonised them to gain power and control those countries.
what does colonisation mean
the action or process of settling among and establishing control over the indigenous people of an area , often involving, forcing religion and culture over the indigenous people and alienising the already present and established cultutreal norms , dishes practices and traditions, forcing the indingenoud people to move away from their culture and identity to become more like their colonisers. colonisation has often involved, murdering and torturing indegenous people .
success of colonisatuion ( but this is biased success as does tyhe bemnefits really matter if the costs out weigh the benefist, so is it actually success)
Railway lines were built throughout the country and were used to transport goods and the army quickly between places.
▪ The English language spread throughout the Empire, which has allowed Commonwealth countries to become outsourcing services and participate in business. ▪ Education for all colonial states was improved - schools were set up & curriculum established. This has led to increased international migration to fill skills shortages in other countries after WWII.
negatives about colonial power
The majority of crops grown in colonial states were bought by the British at very low prices and then sold off by Britain for large amounts (Neo-colonial Theory - see below). This means that farmers and primary manufacturers were left with little profit to invest in their own futures.
▪ Many colonial states did not have their own governments, which caused severe protests for independence and unstable countries when made independant.
▪ Discriminating policies were established to segregate the British migrants from natives. These policies have remained in some countries until recent years.
when did the british empire collapse
20th century
why did the british empire collapse
After the war, many colonial powers were bankrupt as they had to spend a lot during the war and so they couldn’t afford to control and maintain their colonies.
▪ After the wars, colonial powers focused mainly on rebuilding their home countries and so they focused less on the colonies.
▪ Anti-colonial movements gained popularity, and increasing demand for independence forced colonial armies out
what is neo colonism
is a form of indirect control over developing countries.
Means ‘new’ colonialism, where countries remain under control from overseas –even though they are supposedly independent.
It is a form of economic imperialism rather than political.
Direct political control decreased whilst economic control increased
neocolonial case studies
- Mozambique has given fishing rights to China, in return for infrastructure (hospitals, airports, roads). China actually has 1 million of its people living in Africa and has invested over $40 billion into African nations. This may sound quite fair, but local fishermen are now out-competed, losing their source of income and instead having to work for Chinese fishing boats for less money.
● The IMF and World Bank have both been accused of being ‘neo-colonial’. They provide loans to developing nations, but with high rates of repayment and conditions if the developing nation is unable to repay. Therefore, developing nations become ‘trapped’ in a cycle of debt and have to open their economies to private companies (governments lose assets and income, making them even less likely to repay their debts).
which polarity was the world in during the cold war
bi polar
when and what was the cold war
between 1945 to 1990, geopolitical tension between USA and USSR, The USA is a democratic society which was based on a capitalist economy. Whereas the USSR was under communist rule and had a centrally-owned economy.
what is capitalism
Private ownership of property and businesses
-Wages are based on supply & demand and level of skills
-People have a right to make a profit and keep it
-Ability to buy and sell goods in a free market with little
restriction
e.g UK, france,Japan etc
what is communisim
- Government owns land and businesses Wages are determined by government -Profits are taken by government and invested into services
- Supply of goods controlled by the government
e. g USSR, china , cuba
cold war case study
● The USSR installed communist governments in Eastern Europe (e.g. in Poland and Hungary). These countries were of strategic importance to the USSR as they provided a ‘shield’ in case the West attacked Russia.
● The border between Eastern and Western Europe became known as The Iron Curtain and was heavily defended by opposing parties.
● The countries supporting the USSR formed the Warsaw Pact (a military agreement of alliance).
● The USA created NATO, which its allies joined to cooperate military powers.
● After 1945, the USA provided billions of dollars’ worth of aid to many European nations to rebuild after the wars.
● The USA also invested significant amount into Japan, Singapore and The Philippines in order to protect these countries from being influenced by communism. ● The Space Race became a competition of knowledge and economic capacity between the USA and USSR. Despite the fact that the USSR sent the first man (Yuri Gagarin) and first satellite (Sputnik) into space, many believe that the USA won after sending Apollo 11 to the moon.
what was the cold war
The term ‘cold’ is used to describe the war as there was no large-scale direct fighting between the two sides. Instead the two sides supported opposing wars which are described as proxy wars.
other events during the cold war
▪ Vietnam War – The USA fought directly against groups which were supported by China and the USSR.
▪ Korean War – Korea was divided into the South which was supported by the US and the North which was supported by China and the USSR.
who lost the cold war
USSR lost, leaving USA to become the glovbal dominating force again
why did ussr loose the cold war
> Size of the economy. The USSR’s economy was about half the size of the USA – and this is probably an over-estimate. Plus the Western European economies of UK, France, Germany etc dwarfed that of Eastern Europe.
Cold War = arms race. Competition between the two led to an expensive arms race – post Cuban missile 1962 the USSR resolved to outpace the U.S. in nuclear USA spent 9% of its economy on ‘defence’.
Cold War = proxy wars and supporting your allies. This cost – possibly worthwhile in Cuba but many African states flirted with the USSR – military advisers and aid sapped USSR’s budget.
Star Wars - Early 1980s and USA proposed Strategic Defense Initiative (popularly called Star Wars) costings hundreds of billions of dollars. It was the weaponization of outer space - a shield to intercept a Soviet ‘first strike’. Would have meant the end of ‘deterrence’. But the Soviet’s flagging economy couldn’t match this escalation in defence spending.
Invasion of Afghanistan - In 1979, the Soviets invaded and occupied the country. The Truman Doctrine had clearly stipulated that American policy was to contain the spread of communism throughout the world, so the U.S. responded by secretly supporting and training the Mujahedeen, insurgent rebels who rallied against Soviets in Afghanistan. (including a young Osama Bin Laden)
what led to a multi polar world
The rise of the BRIC nations marks a shift towards a potentially multi-polar world in future. These emerging economies tend to be based on free-market capitalism. This is becoming increasingly dominant throughout the world whilst other economic systems have become weaker:
- Socialist economies collapsed in the USSR and Eastern Europe.
- China has moved away from socialism to a model known as state capitalism. - There has been reform in communist Cuba allowing some limited private ownership of businesses.
Currently, there is a divide into two groups of states:
▪ BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China & South Africa
▪ G20 – Includes the EU and countries like Turkey, Indonesia, South Korea, Saudi, Mexico
The G20 economies account for 85% of the world’s GDP and 85% of the world’s trade, hence are more influential. However, with changing industries and the adoption of new political approaches & ideology, BRICS may overtake G20 and become most influential.
whatare the BRICS
BRAZIL, RUSSIA, IDIA, CHINA
BRICS- china
economic
positives;
-China is a major player in global investment, the
Chinese have invested heavily in developing
countries especially in
Africa.
-A lot has been invested in modern infrastructure like high speed rail throughout the country.
negatives;
-Due to its large population, GDP per capita is only 10% of USA’s.
-Many of its industries
copies foreign ideas and so it isn’t very innovative.
-In 2009, only 2% of China’sadult population graduated from university.
-Rising wages in China have led to TNCs moving to cheaper countries like
Bangladesh.
- Its ageing population
combined with its one Child Policy may cause its
economy to collapse
entirely.
BRICS- CHINA
political
negative;
-Unlike the USA, China doesn’t really get involved in global crises or aid
towards other countries, limiting China’s international relations.
-China’s government is run by an authoritarian party. -Has tense relationships with many SE Asian
nations.
BRICS- china
military
positive
-China’s People Liberation Army has the world’s
largest army and has
nuclear weapons.
negative
- China’s army (PLA) is dated; despite its large numbers of soldiers the army is very poorly
equipped.
BRICS- china
demographic
positive
-The population of 1.38 billion allows for a vast
labour pool, allowing
China’s economy to
increase.
negative;
-By 2020, it is expected that 12% of the population will be over 65 which will
require expensive support through healthcare and social care
-China has little inwards migration so they are
unable to attract talent and skills from abroad that they may lack.
BRICS-china
cultural
positive
-China’s influence is
growing as they are
investing in other countries (such as Africa).
-Some Cantonese food has been adopted in other
countries
.
negative:
-China has very little global influence on culture.
BRICS-china
enviromental
negatives
-China is the world’s largest emitter of CO2, producing 33% of the world’s
emissions.
-Rivers throughout China have been polluted with chemicals from factories. -Large amounts of land across the world in places like the Amazon rainforest are being cut down in order to export good to China
where demandfs from consumers is increasing rapidly
BRICS- Brazil
economic
positive
-Brazil is important regionally for South America as it
produces more
than 50% of S.
America’s GDP
-It has large
reserves of natural resources
-It has energy and food security. It is self-sufficient in
producing and
sourcing its own food and energy resources.
negatives; -The economy repeatedly faces boom and bust phases, that severely hamper Brazil’s development.
BRICS- brazil
political
negative;
- Brazil has been very politically unstable in recent years. - Corruption is rife throughout the country. - Since 2015, leadership has drastically changed. The President was impeached in 2015, leading to uncertainty. In 2018, the far-right Bolsonaro was elected.
BRICS- bRAZIL
military
negative;
insignifacant military, plays no international role.
BRICS- brazil
demographic
positive: -The population of 210 million is the largest in South America. -The population is very young. negative; -Fertility rates have decreased significantly so the population may decline in the future.
BRICS- Brazil
cultural
positive: -Brazil has a global reputation as a footballing nation and has won many world cups. -It hosted the Olympics + Paralympics in 2016 and the FIFA World Cup in 2014.
BRICS- brazil
enviromental
negativces:
-Deforestation is a major issue with large swathes of the Amazon being cut down for agricultural and commercial purposes. -Pollution is another major problem from mining and oil spills.
BRICS- RUSSIA
economic
positive;
-It is the 9th largest economy in the
world and has large reserves of oil and gas.
negative;
However It is overly dependent on oil and gas for revenue, which is not sustainable
income for the
future.
-The country has been hit with EU sanctions that have weakened the
Ruble and the
economy.
-It is the most
unequal emerging nation, where the richest 1% control 71% of total wealth.
BRICS - RUSSIA
enviromental
negative:
- One of the most ecologically
stressed landscapes due to human degradation -> extraction of
natural resources damages surroundings, salinization and overgrazing is causing soils to deteriorate, impoper waste disposal
BRICS- RUSSIA
military
positive:
-It has nuclear weapons and a large militar.y
negative:
- Russia has intervened in Syria with airstrikes which has damaged relations with other countries.
- The majority of Russia’s fleet and aircraft are ageing and unsuitable for modern times.
BRICS- RUSSIA
demographic
positive; -The population of 144 million is quite large, but largely spread across Russia’s vast lands, leading to isolation and lack of development of many regions. negative; -Russia’s population has been declining in recent years as birth rates are very low. -The population is ageing which is impacting the economy.
BRICS- russia
cultural
- Russia has little cultural influence. - However, its growing influence in USA (Trump’s election), military assistance to Nigeria (to combat Boko Haram) and Syria (controversial air strikes) suggests that Russia’s global influence is expanding.
BRICS- RUSSIA
political
positive;
-It is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
negative:
-Relations with the EU are strained and its annexation of Crimea exacerbated this.
BRICS - INDIA
economic
positive;
Between 1997 and 2015, annual growth rates averaged 7% which is much higher than MDCs.
-Widespread use of English has been beneficial as it has attracted many TNCs.
-Infrastructure like energy and water supply as well as
transport is poor, power cuts are frequent.
negative:
- The government has a lot of debt.
- Society is very unequal and more than 20% of people live in poverty.
BRICS-india
political
positive:
-India is the world’s largest democracy -It is a member of the G20 and was a founding member of the UN.
negative:
-It has poor geopolitical relations with neighbours like
China and Pakistan.
BRICS- india
enviromental
positive:
-India is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world with various plant and animal species.
negative:
-Pollution is a major problem as India is the world’s third largest emitter of CO2.
-India has some of the world’s largest and worst urban
slums which have damaged the
environment.
BRICS- INDIA
demographic
positive:
-The population is 1.27 billion (largest after China).
-The majority of Indians are young and so there is a large pool of labour available.
negative:
- However, there is much outward migration of India’s youth, which may lead to a declining future population and brain drain of skilled workers.
BRICS-INDIA
military
positive:
- It has the 4th largest military in terms of personnel and weaponry
- It has nuclear weapons.
- India has come to month-long standoffs with neighbouring China to maintain its border.
BRICS- INDIA
cultural
positive:
- Bollywood which is the world’s largest film industry outside of Hollywood, producing 1200 films annually
- Indian food is very common and important in many parts of the world.
explain how the world can change in the future, explaing
stability, military, economy and resources.
Stability – Countries around the world could form their own alliances and another Cold War could occur.
Resources – There could be strong economic and population growth in Asia but along with high demand from the West, worldwide demand for food could increase 35%, 40% for water and 50% for energy by 2030. This could lead severe shortages, high prices and conflict over resources.
Military – A new arms race could occur as China expands its naval and air power. Economy – If Asia were to become dominant, then the global economy would depend on the health of NICs in Asia rather than the Wes
influence of IGOs, list the IGOs
- world economic forum
- international monetary fund
- the world bank
- the world trade organisation
world economic forum
- swiss, no for profit organisation founded in 1971
- promoted public-private cooperation
- aims to bring business and wider society together to imp[rive the worlkd
- discusses corruption and terrorism and other such wider issues
- members think internationally , ecourages governments to promote global links
the international monetary fund (IMF)
- fpounded in 1944
- aims to stablise global currencies
- provides loans to developing countries
- sets up[ SAPs to as condition to loans to promite capitilism
- 8 countries control 47% of the votes
the WORLD bank
- founded 1944
- aims to suppoirt capitilism by financingf project loans to developingf countries
- aims eliminate poverty whilst implementing sustainable goals
- provides financial aid after natural disasters and humanitarian aid
- USA controlles 16.5% of votes in2016
The world trade organisatuion (WT0)
- focuses on trade and its rules to ensure capitilism survives
- negotiades fre trade agreements tyo aim to lift trade bvarriers globally
- current worlk to reduce poverty , farm subsides in devopling countries to stimulate efficient proiduction
- combination of globalisation and WTO led to explosion of trade since 1950
dependancy theory
-argues that the cause of poverty in developing nations is because of its unhealthy dependency to wealthier countries.
where there us a cykle of raw matieals being shipped , given away at low prices, so less profit is made so there isnt enough to invest back into the country. so the raw materials cannot be manufactored or processed.
explain TNCs as global players.
- huge impact on global trade , shifted ecopnomic power to emerging and developing countries, made tncs extremely powerful.
- much of increase in trade is intra company.
- any new technology has to be registered under the patent law , anyone who wishes to use must pay royaklty.
- TRIPS favours TNCS, protects investment into research. makes this new medicine or any other substance unaffordable to developinf countries.
who mainly responds to crises
- superpowers, mainly provide humanitarian aid and financial aid as well as some devloping natiopns, to help other countries
e. g USA nad FRance deployed 550 personnel to provide humanitarian aid when 900 Haitians died when hurricane hit Haiti in 2016. where 350 00 haitiins needed aid, Aswell as several NGOs such as the UNICEF also helped
super powers often as global force in military confliscts
e.g AFGHANISTAN case study
- geoplicts + religious tensions led to conlift there for over 40 years .
- strategeically important trade routes into central asia and russia.
- mountainous terrian makes diffiucult for government control
- after 9/11 USA sought to destroy taliban and kill military leaders there
- even after usa killed osama bin laden, they still continue to attack the innocent
china
not concerned with afghanistan but is againt muslims, fearingbthem, therefore currently undertaking a islum geneocide, killing and torturing the Uzbeck muslim and the muslim population china putting them in concentration camps .
climate change kiribati
- low laying
- coral reef bleaching because of increase sea level rise
- reduced drinking water
- native land people dpnt want to move out
- the islands keep dissapearing due to increase sea levels.
UN
formed after the second world war .
- to maintain peace
- promote human rights- social and economic development
- provideing humainitarian aid and financial aid.
has currently 193 members
- has to make annoual climate conferance
which has been undermined by climate change deniers such as trump
- internatioanl courtof justics=e settles disputes between UN memvber countires and advises on international law. having 15 judges representing different global regions
- only deal with cases brought by countries not with individual people.
-UN security counril aims prevent conflict and has authorised military and peacekeeping missions
economic alliances
the EU forms a free trade area
- increasing political union to ensure free movement of people and a common currency.
- economic strength deal with pverty to reduce and reduce iniquality
- deals with human rights and enviromental issues
- future less stable with UK leaving EU
milliarty alliances
- NATO formed in 1949
- one of the dominant international miliarty alliances
- guiding principle is that attack on one is a attack on all members
- NATO influence leesend at end of cold war, but russian military activity revived it again
environmental alliances
IPCC -INTERGOVERMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE
- established 1988
120 members
- produces reports on climate change aiming to assemble evidence from peer reviewed publications to ensure the stabilisation of green house gas concentrations
