Superpowers EQ3 - Spheres of influence Flashcards
How is global influence contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres?
- tensions arise over the acquisition of physical resources
- global system of intellectual property rights undermined by counterfeiting
- political spheres of influence contested leading to tensions over territory and physical resources
Why are some resources contested?
- land border between 2 countries is in dispute
- ownership of a landmass is in dispute (e.g. Argentina’s claim to UK governed Falkland Islands)
- extent of a nation’s offshore EEZ is in dispute or claimed by another nation (e.g. Artic Ocean)
What is an EEZ?
Exclusive economic zone
The area of ocean extending 200 nautical miles beyond the coastline, where sovereign states have jurisdiction over resources
Why is the Artic such a contested location?
Contains around 30% of the world’s undiscovered gas, and 13% of oil resources.
Different nations make claims to areas of the Artic Ocean, leading to disputes (some have nuclear weaponry)
Why is the World Intellectual Property Organisation important?
It ensures TNCs, individuals and gov agencies can protect new inventions etc from use by others
- without IP, innovations and ideas can be stolen and used by others
- which would be a huge disincentive to innovate and invent
What are the criticisms of IP?
- IP requires users of a product to pay royalties to the inventor, a cost to developing countries
- IP holders do not have a duty to make a new invention available (could prevent new medicine being made etc)
- system can create a monopoly where patent holder can charge what they want
Why can disregard for international IP treaties sour relations between countries?
- TNCs reluctant to invest knowing their profit is likely to be reduced by counterfeiting
- lack of action by governments on IP issues might suggest gov is less likely to co-operate on other issues of international law
- trade agreements being made is limited if one side believes other won’t ‘play by the rules’
What are the tensions at Russia’s western border?
In 1991, communism collapsed and former Soviet republics became independent. Many then raised the possibility of joining EU/NATO. Russia has responded via conflict (e.g. annexing Ukrainian region of Crimea, invading in 2022)
What is a sphere of influence?
A physical region over which a country believes it has economic, military, cultural or political rights
What are the tensions in the South and East China seas?
China overtly stating its sphere of influence in South East Asia by actively pursuing a policy of controlling the ocean from its coast to the First Island Chain. It is building military bases on disputed land and continental shelves, despite the largest naval presence in the area being the USA - who is allies with Japan, South Korea and the Phillipines
Why are the EU and USA accused of having unfair relationships with developing countries?
- neo-colonialism: superpowers pulling economic/political strings of developing countries
- unfair terms of trade
- brain drain of skilled workers from developing countries to boost developed world economies
- local wealthy elites who benefit from neo colonial relationship
In what ways can China’s relationship with Africa be considered a neo-colonial one?
- infrastructure investments ensure China can export raw materials as cheaply and efficiently as possible
- skilled and technical jobs often filled by Chinese migrant workers
- cheap Chinese imports undercut local producers
- much of FDI only brings temporary construction jobs
- aid from China tied to FDI
In what ways can China’s relationship with Africa be considered a development opportunity for Africa?
- China has invested heavily in infrastructure
- vital jobs are created, economy is modernised
- Chinese factories and mines bring modern working practices and tech to Africa
- Chinese finance has funded 17 major HEP projects since 2000
- investment deals are often accompanied by aid
How has the world’s economic ‘centre of gravity’ moved over time?
- Industrial revolution pulled world economy towards Europe
- following WW2, dominant US economy pulled it across Atlantic, but rise of EU edged it back east
- since 1990, the centre has shifted dramatically back towards Asia, in particular China
What are the sources of instability in the Middle East?
- religion (Sunni vs Shia Muslims)
- resources (short of water and farmland)
- oil and gas
- governance (democracy weak or non existent, religious/ethnic alliances stronger than national identity)
- history (borders do not reflect actual geography of religious/cultural groups)
- youth (young populations and high unemployment)
What is IS?
Islamic State (also known as ISIS)
A jihadist terrorist organisation that rose to prominence in 2013 during the Syrian Civil War
Why are there tensions in the Middle East?
Due to the complexity of Middle Eastern politics, religion, ethnic differences and territorial disputes causing potentially dangerous situations
Why is there tension between Western and Islamic ideology, how is there a compromise between the two?
Very different ideologies - Western = democracy, capitalism, gender equality and individual freedom whereas Islamic = religion, religious leaders and limiting role of women and democracy
Shared economic self interest and cultural compromise means there are fairly good geopolitical relations between Western countries and Jordan, the UAE and Turkey
What are some of the potentially dangerous situations generated by tensions in the Middle East?
- Taliban insurgents continue to destabilise Afghanistan despite war led by USA in 2002 to 2014
- air bombing against IS in Syria and Iraq by USA, UK and France means countries are acting with Russia who support Assad, despite geopolitical relations with Russia deteriorating over Ukraine crisis
Why is the USA arguably in a stronger position than the EU in terms of maintaining global importance?
- USA is not ageing as fast as the EU
- USA states more likely to agree on policy than 27 member states making up EU
What is economic restructuring?
The shift from primary and secondary industry towards tertiary and quaternary industry as a result of deindustrialisation. Has large economic and social costs
What are the challenges for the EU?
Economic: debt is about 90% of annual GDP (drag on economic growth
Demographic: rapidly ageing population
Political: 27 nations do not agree, causing tensions e.g. over migration. Strained relationship with Russia.
Resources: energy security dependent on oil and gas imports
Social: high youth unemployment
What are the challenges for the USA?
Economic: high national debt, but has many large innovative global TNCs
Demographic: not ageing as fast as the EU, continued population growth
Political: race relations strained, political deadlock
Resources: water insecurity in southwest
Social: health spend swallows 17% of USA annual GDP. Obesity
What are the military costs of being a global power?
Huge amount of spending goes into maintaining nuclear arsenal etc, when the public believes that cost could be spent in other areas such as education or health
What are the ways of maintaining global power?
- nuclear power
- naval power
- space exploration
- intelligence agencies
- air power
What are the benefits of maintaining military power?
- maintains superpower status
- supports resources for the future
- more likely to have alliances/trade blocs
What are the costs of maintaining military power?
- lack of spending on other priorities
- can cause tensions
- not always necessary (e.g. nuclear deterrents)
- hugely expensive, comes from taxpayers money despite controversy over public support
What are the possible superpower futures in 2030?
- US hegemony (unipolar) as China faces an economic crisis
- Regional mosaic as emerging powers continue to grow while EU and USA decline (creating multipolar world)
- New Cold War (bipolar) as China rises to become equal in power to USA
- Asian century (unipolar) reduced power of EU and USA shifts to emerging powers in Asia
What implications do future geopolitical structures have?
Implications for
- Stability
- Resources
- Military/new arms race
- Economics - shift in world’s economy
