superpowers EQ1 Flashcards
What is a superpower?
A nation that has the ability to project its influence around the world
Pillars of superpower status?
- economic
- political
- military
- cultural
- access to resources
Hard power?
use of military force and direct political intervention
Soft power?
persuasion aligned with particular ideologies
Sharp power?
manipulation of political decision making
MACKINDERS HEARTLAND THEORY
whoever controlled the heartland would be the next big superpower
controlling the world island would lead to control of the world (periphery islands etc)
GEOSTRATEGIC LOCATION - large amount of physical and human resources
Colonialism?
type of imperialism - acquiring political control over another country, occupying with settlers and exploiting economically
Multi-polar world example?
EUROPEAN IMPERIALISM
Bi-polar world example?
Post WWII, cold war era
USA AND USSR
Iron Curtain?
Eastern European states that Russia held political sway over
What agreements kept peace during Cold War?
NATO and Warsaw Pact
Uni-polar world example?
USA 1990s - collapse of Soviet Union
What is the World Systems Theory?
Three tiers: periphery, semi-periphery and core countries, all depend on each other. Countries can move between tiers
Strengths and weaknesses of the World Systems Theory?
STRENGTHS: shows dependency between core and periphery countries
WEAKNESSES: does not take into account internal factors such as poor leadership, no clear dividing line between categories
What is the Modernisation Theory?
Countries economies grow in five stages, each stage achieved through free-trade, capitalism and democracy
Strengths and weaknesses of Modernisation Theory?
STRENGTHS: allows development to be easily seen/ measured, development of a country can be easily illustrated and presented
WEAKNESSES: does not acknowledge development through use of loans, outdated as countries like India and China skipped some stages
Neo-colonialism?
A form of INDIRECT CONTROL
Rich former colonial powers control the world economy in a way that they benefit and poor former colonies lose out :(
What is the Dependency Theory?
World has a developed core and underdeveloped periphery. Core exploits cheap resources in the periphery, keeping them underdeveloped, and the core just keep getting wealthier.
Strengths and weaknesses of the dependency theory?
STRENGTHS: takes into account the differences between rich and poor, blames the imperialists
WEAKNESSES: too simple, says underdevelopment is always due to exploitation by core, China and India have developed rapidly
Hyperpower?
An unchallenged superpower that is dominant in all aspects of power
Who are the BRIC nations?
EMERGING SUPERPOWERS!
Brazil, Russia, India, China
Hegemony?
Dominance of one state over others
Strengths of Brazil as an emerging superpower?
- important for SA regionally (50% of continents GDP)
- energy and food secure
- young population
- global reputation (culturally) as a footballing nation
Weaknesses of Brazil as an emerging superpower?
- has been very politically unstable in recent years
- insignificant + small military
- big issues with deforestation of the Amazon
- low fertility rates, so population may decline in future
