Superpowers- Enquiry Q3 Flashcards
What is the cause of the dispute in the South China Sea
smaller islands in the south china sea exist which, according to UN maritime law, could entitle any country that claims sovereignty over them to the 200KM of sea surrounding them (SEZ)
China is demanding a greater proportion of the land in order to gain ownership over sub-sea resources for their personal exploitation
What countries are involved in the conflict over the South China Sea
China Taiwan Vietnam Philippines Indonesia Malaysia Japan
why is the territory in the south china sea so valuable
rich in natural resources
hub of naval trading activity
what is china’s claim in the south china sea
ancient dynistic claims over smaller islands
creation of artificial islands on coral reefs which act as military bases
the nine dash line
what is the philippines claim in the south china sea
geographical proximity to the spratly islands
why is the USA involved in the conflict for the south china sea
became involved post ww2 after the defeat of imperial japan
have a large military and trading presence in the region which gives them a vested interest
though not supporting tiawanese independence, 1979 taiwan relations act requires them to provide defensive assistence
what is taiwan’s claim to the south china sea
china’s dynastic claim is rooted in a claim from the landmass of taiwan which was under imperial control at the time- thus they are exterting this claim as an independant state
what is vietnam’s claim in the south china sea
china only began trying to exert sovereignty in the 1940s, vietnam has actively ruled over the paracels and spratlys since the 17th century
what is japan’s claim in the south china sea
japan was given sovereignty in the 1951 san francisco treaty and the okinawa reversion agreement
how much trade passes through the south china sea annuelly
$5.3 trillion worth of goods
what is NATO
military alliance founded in 1949, encompassing 28 member states who collectively account for the majority of the worlds firepower and nuclear weapons
mutual defence agreement contingent on nuclear deterrent
what is ANZUS
USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Phillipines collectively deterring attack from north korea and china predominantly
what is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
1996- China, Russia, Kazkhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan
military, economic and security alliance
what are the implications of the Russian Western Border conflict for people and the physical environment?
Giving leverage for blackmain from richer states
military action in Ukraine and Crimea causing destrucion of the natural environment
30 000 NATO officers on standby
what are the implications of the South China Sea conflict for people and the natural environment?
Large scale destruction of coral reefs
threat of military action from china inhibiting other countries abilities to exert their control and trade
escalation putting $5.3 trillion of trade at risk as well as 40% of LNG stores
Local fishermen being targetted by threats and attacks
define global shift
The global shift is the movement of economic activity from MEDCs initially to NICs and more recently to LEDCs (especially in Asia and Latin America). Initially in the 1960s this was a movement of manufacturing activity, but since the 1990s, service activity has been involved.
how does india threaten the superpower status of china
India has drastically improved it’s diplomatic relations with surrounding countries - Afghanistan’s largest aid donar
State controlled economy has largely privitised allowing funds to be invested in infrastructure, education + health
growing middle class
trade between china and africa stats
China is africa’s largest trading partner- in 2015 it totalled over $160 billion
how china and india are exerting their geopolitical influence
reform of global governance
in 1999 they joined the G20, which had a more economic focus than the original G7
what is the BRICS New Development Bank
aim of mobilising funding for infrastructure and sustainable development
the BRIC countries all have an equal share with no veto powers
it has loaned $10.2 billion with good international credit rating
why is there a rivalry in asia for influence over africa
access to natural resources and new markets
54 votes at the UN which the continent control
what are the implications of the belt and road initiative for geopolitical stability
1/4 of wold GDP across 71 countries included in initiative (1/2 of global population)
threatens traditional superpower status
“debt trap diplomacy” to extract stategic concessions such as silence on human rights violations and terretorial disputes
what are the main sources of tension in the middle east
Religious conflict between Sunni and Shia srcts
Conflict over claims on natural resources
high youth unemployment and poor education
weak democracy
historical border disputes
what is the arab spring
widespread discontent with autocratic rule, economic hardship and corruption lead to protest in December 2010
Regimes forced to announce reform in government after demonstrations resulting in over 300 deaths
what challenges do tensions in the middle east present for current and emerging superpowers
terrorism
potential allignment with problematic groups
conflicting alliances causing a rise in tensions
conflict in oil industry has global implications
what conflict is occuring in Israel
Israel and Palestine competing for sovereignty
Israel supported by the USA, Palestine supported by Arab States
current problems in Afghanistan
soviet involvement and potential concealment of terrorist groups cause conflict with the west
why is the future of superpower status is so uncertain
personality leadership
disparity between ideology of generations
single-mindedness threatens the interdependent system
US Military personnel stats
800 global military bases
costs tax payer 70-100 billion per year
285 000 troops in Korea
what is russia doing in the arctic circle
surveys suggest that 30% of undiscovered natural gas is likely in the arctic
russia used a submarine to put a flag in the ice and “claim” it which caused tension with Canada who claim a proportion of the resources
tensions likely to increase as ice melts and fuel becomes harder to find
counterfeit goods stat
counterfeit goods are worth 2.5% of global imports $460 billion per year
define intellectual property
Intellectual property is a category of property that includes intangible creations of the human intellect. There are many types of intellectual property, and some countries recognize more than others. The most well-known types are copyrights, patents, trademarks, and trade secrets.
how has counterfeiting damaged chinese reputation
TNCs reluctant to invest in china, as profits will likely be reduced by counterfeiting
lack of action by authorities on intellectual property issues suggests the government is unlikely to cooperate with international law
countries are unlikely to make trade deals if they ffel that china do not play by the rules
how does the patent favour TNC’s over small businesses
TNC’s can afford to spend vast sums on hundreds of patents
TNC’s often purchase patents without actually creating the product just to block other companies
which country applies for the most patents annuelly
China
