Superpowers EQ1 - Superpowers Flashcards
What is a superpower?
A nation with the ability to project it’s influence anywhere in the world and be a dominant global force
What is geopolitical power?
Political power linked to geographic space, as there are a large number of geographic influences on power relationships in international relations
What are the human and physical characteristics of superpowers that cause geopolitical power?
PHYSICAL = geographic location, resources (Mackinder’s Heartland theory)
HUMAN = demographic weight, cultural influence, economic and military strength
Geopolitical power cannot come from just one facet of power but is at its highest when a range of human and physical characteristics are used in a strategic way ( hard + soft = smart)
What is a hyperpower, and what are some examples?
An unchallenged superpower that is dominant in all aspects of power
e.g. USA from 1990-2010 or Britain from 1850-1910
What are the 5 pillars of superpower status?
Economic
Military
Political
Cultural
Resources
How do the pillars of superpower status ensure power?
Economic - prerequisite of power, enables the others
Military - used to achieve geopolitical goals and as a bargaining chip
Political - ability to influence others through diplomacy
Cultural - appeal of nation’s way of life to others
Resources - both physical and human (demographic weight)
What is a blue water navy?
One which can deploy into the open ocean rather than only littoral waters (this is a green water navy)
What is diplomacy?
The negotiation and decision making that takes place between nations as part of international relations, leading to agreements/treaties
What is ideology?
A set of belief, values and opinions held by the majority of people in a society.
What does hard power mean?
Using military and economic influence (trade deals, sanctions) to force a country to act in a particular way.
What does soft power mean?
More subtle persuasion of countries to act in a particular way, on the basis that the persuader is respected and appealing. Includes political persuasion (diplomacy) and cultural influence.
Who gave the idea of hard vs soft power, and what was their idea of the most powerful countries’ utilisation of this?
Joseph Nye
He argued that the most powerful countries use ‘smart power’ which is a combination of both hard and soft mechanisms to get their own way
Is hard or soft power more effective?
Hard power has become less important over time - threats of military actions are now expensive and risky, and may lead to a loss of allies (illegal).
Soft power applied well is lower cost and can spread to other countries due to the relations it builds - but depends on persuasive power of country’s culture.
What are some examples of hard and soft power today?
HARD: USA - in 2003 invaded Iraq in the Second Gulf War when economic sanctions (softer power) failed to persuade President Saddam Hussein to change policy.
SOFT: UK - BBC world service, 5th largest economy in world, large network of diplomacy
What is Mackinder’s Heartland theory?
Identified an area of Eurasia as ‘Heartland’ which was a key geo strategic location in the world due to it’s protection from invasion by the sea and also because it commanded a huge portion of the world’s physical and human resources
What was the influence of Mackinder’s Heartland theory?
- persuaded USA, EU that Russia needed to be contained e.g. after WWI and WWII
- reinforced idea that control of physical resources was important