Superpowers exam questions Flashcards
EQ1
Assess the view that hard power is essential in achieving superpower status (12)
Hard power is the use of economic and military power in order to threaten and force countries to act in a particular way. Hard power can be viewed as essential in achieving superpower status as it can be viewed as a powerful deterrent to make a country less vulnerable to attacks.
Hard power through military power is very significantly essential in achieving superpower status as it can be used in 2 ways, firstly through the threat of military action to achieve geopolitical goals. Some forms of military power such as drone, missile, and satellite technology can be deployed globally and reach distant places. This allows for power and influences over a broad extent. In 2022, the US military spending was approx. 880 billion, helping it become a hegemony where China was 290 billion. Moreover, military alliances can also be used to gain military power. NATO is crucial as it provides strength in numbers with 28 member states who collectively account for most of the worlds military capability including nuclear weapons. NATO has a mutual defence agreement meaning of one member is threatened, all others come to its aid and so there is high defence from attacks.
Economic power is important in controlling investment worldwide. The world’s largest economies hold high amounts of global GDP, such as the US with approximately 24.3% of global GDP. This means they can significantly influence global investment patterns, with large amounts of FDI coming to them due to TNCs viewing them as profitable markets. This economic clout allows superpowers to impose sanctions and trade restrictions on other countries, threatening them to comply with their demands.
Although, it can be argued that economic power relies on countries having large consumer markets to attract FDI, so demographic power may also be important. China has the second largest population worldwide of 1.4 billion and can be seen to be gaining on the US in power. Therefore economic power may be partially reliant on the population of a country.
On the other hand, it could be argued that soft power, the power of persuasion and influence on another nation, can be used instead of hard power to gain superpower status. Spreading ideologies and culture through media can develop strong geopolitical relations, demonstrated by France, the UK and Germany who have strong relations and influence without currently using major hard power. The UK have cultural power by expanding the BBC to be global so that British ideologies can be spread. However, the British empire relied heavily on hard power, controlling the actions of colonies by force which was successful as the strongest empire of its time. Therefore, whilst soft power can be used to exert influence on a global scale, power needed for superpower status may be from hard power threats.
Assess the view that soft power is essential in achieving superpower status (12)
Soft power may be essential in achieving superpower status because soft power can lead to the growing of global relationships and connections, establishing long-term influence over countries which is increasingly important in a globalised world. Whereas hard power may miss the importance of long-term relations and strain these.
Soft power is essential in superpower status is because of cultural powers role in increasing a countries economic power. This can be seen in emerging Asian countries, particularly India whereby the spread of their culture including Bollywood films, the largest global film industry producing over 1000 films per year, has spread Indian culture around the world. As a result, these films are watched globally and produce massive income for India, worth nearly 200 billion Indian rupees in 2023. As well as this, industries such as in tourism are increased due to the culture being spread as very appealing, further increasing job opportunities, and increasing their power.
Moreover, a relatively significant reason why soft power is essential in achieving superpower status is that soft power has a large role in development of solid political relationships. Political power such as membership to trade blocs can work as soft power by attraction of membership. For example, the EUs offer of potential membership acts as powerful incentive to neighbouring countries e.g., Balkans, and so they align with EU standards. This demonstrates how the EU has influence over countries with attraction of potential membership, persuading them to share their ideologies. This promotes things like peace and stability as a result. However, external influences from rivals such as Russia can make political power ineffective. Therefore, hard power may be better and a more reliable method of gaining power over countries
On the other hand, it can definitely be argued that hard power is essential in achieving superpower status to a certain extent because of the importance of hard power through military. Hard military power can be used through the threat of military action to achieve geopolitical goals. Some forms of military power such as blue water navy, drone, missile, and satellite technology can be deployed globally and reach distant places, allowing for power and influences over a broad extent. The US, a global superpower, shows how military power can be effective with the world highest military spending with a budget over $825 billion. However, there is future uncertainty on if hard power will remain a sustainable source of power in the future because it can strain long-term relationships, and so soft power may continue to increase in importance for gaining superpower status
Assess the extent to which emerging countries need both hard and soft power to extend their global influence and power (specimen paper) (12)
Countries need both hard and soft power because soft power is very important in relation to global influence, using the power of persuasion to get countries to act in a particular way. This is good at maintaining long-term relations and influence. Whereas, hard power is important as it can get results, whereby countries are forced to act in a particular way.
Emerging countries very significantly need both hard and soft power. For example, Chinas rapid economic growth has enabled it to have hard power capabilities like military power, such as Chinas spratly islands blue water navy, gaining influence and power over other countries surrounding the South-China sea. However, simultaneously it is important that they have some persuasive power as without this they may lack influence by lacking respect. For example, their role in Africa providing infrastructure provides them African influence, promoting their image worldwide.
Both hard and soft power are somewhat significantly required. India promotes both hard and soft approaches with hard power including military through nuclear, but has emphasis on soft power. Soft power can be used to strengthen cultural power as this can make culture seem very appealing to others. India use cultural power through Bollywood film production, which is the largest global film industry producing over 1000 films per year. As a result, countries can get a taste of Indian culture and this then increases influence through tourism. However, it could be suggested that emerging countries should focus on soft power due to lower costs, and strong soft power could allow global influence as seen by Bollywood. Indias economy is significantly benefited through Bollywood worth 200 billion Indian rupees in 2023, and so can be used to gain economic power.
Emerging powers quite significantly dont need both hard and soft power to exert global influence because hard power may be damaging for reputations and lead to a lack of influence. Several emerging superpowers/superpowers currently have global influence without soft power including the UK, who use cultural power such as by making the BBC global to spread ideologies. Hard power may ruin this influence e.g., Russian hard power has led to western isolation
Assess the extent to which Mackinder’s geo-strategic theory has stood the test of time (12)
Mackinder believed that whoever controlled Europe and Asia, the biggest landmass, would control the world. He believed in a heartland extending from eastern Europe into Russia, at the centre of which was a pivot. He believed whoever ruled this pivot could rule the heartland and world as a whole. In theory, the further away a country was from the heartland, the less influence it would have.
It has very significantly stood the test of time because Eurasia are globally very important with vast territory and therefore rich levels of natural resources which provide energy to a large proportion of the world. Their high natural resource power allows the control of exports and prices for the rest of the world, and so can in turn allow for an increase in their economic power. The growth of Russia oil exports through pipelines suggests this area of the heartland could also continue to stand the test of time. Although, recent war between Russia and Ukraine has decreased Russian power due to their lack of soft power leading to isolation and so its influence over much of western world has become limited. This may suggest that in terms of hard power it has stood the test of time, whereas increasing soft power over time means it may decrease in the long-term.
Similarly, it has relatively significantly stood the test of time because the theory because countries have used it in the formulation of geopolitical strategies. For example, during the cold war, the theory influenced US policies against the Soviet Union and led to NATOs aim to contain the Soviet Union whereby they were seen as very powerful as countries within the heartland. This suggests that the theory has been considered and applied to real world strategies, and therefore it has stood the test of time.
On the other hand, it could be argued that it quite significantly has not stood the test of time because of globalisation transforming ideas of power. Economic power is no longer solely determined by territorial control, but by factors including access to markets, resources, and technology. Therefore, it can be seen that there has been a shift of power to the west due to advanced technology and large markets, whereby trade blocs such as the EU and political policies like the Schengen agreement have expanded western markets and therefore led to more economic power than Russia who stay isolated from the EU and many powerful global trading policies. Therefore, heartland theory may not have stood the test of time as the definition of power has changed and can be seen to continue to change in the future.
Assess the reasons why the patterns of global power have changed over time (12)
Patterns of global power have changed over time, mainly due to emerging economies such as China and the end of colonial power. The British Empire ended during the second half of the 20th century, reducing Britain’s influence as a global hyperpower. During the cold war period, a bipolar world then existed with the USA and USSR. Then, in a globalised world, the USA have become a hegemony power, although since 2005, China has also risen in terms of global influence and power to become one of the largest emerging powers, on its way to becoming a superpower
The most significant factor to why patterns of power have changed is due to the global shift of manufacturing. As a result of deindustrialisation, western countries like the US and UK no longer manufacture goods at a high volume due to economies changing to more tertiary sectors and high costs of domestic manufacturing. They therefore turned to emerging economies such as China and India who have low labour costs and high populations to do industrial work. These emerging powers are now gaining global power as their economies grow and more countries become reliant on them. Therefore, over time global shift from globalisation has led to host countries such as China gaining more economic power and global influence and dominance.
Another significant factor as to why patterns of global power have changed is due to the end of the British empire. The British Empire ending due to growing resistance and not enough money resulted in a decrease of Britain’s influence and power as well as a decrease in their access to resources. This allowed or countries that had been colonised to use their resources and export these at a cost to build up their economies. This has resulted in countries such as India experiencing high GDP growth rates, showing they are becoming a global power over time, from once being a British colony.
Moreover, a somewhat significant factor leading to global power changing over time is the rise of IGOs and interdependency between countries. Trade blocs such as ASEAN have led to economic growth internally due to fewer tariffs between countries and so profits on trade are higher, leading to increased economic growth. These trade blocs can therefore lead to countries outside having reduced global power as exclusion means it would be more expensive to trade with them. Therefore, the creation of IGOs such as trade blocs have led to decreased global power for excluded countries and increasing power for included countries. This may lead to huge growth of blocs like ASEAN in the future, and uncertainties over a future multipolar world.
What are 3 important BRICs facts?
They comprise over 40% of the worlds population and so they have a large consumer market
They cover 1/4 of the worlds landmass so have lots of access to commodities
They have a combined GDP of 25.8 trillion, very similar to the US 25.5 trillion
Explain the strengths and weaknesses of China as a superpower
China:
+ Economic- second largest GDP worldwide of nearly 18 trillion and a very strong manufacturing economy that attracts a lot of FDI and TNCs. This makes them a world manufacturing hub with large amounts of power
+ Military- had a huge military spending of 293 billion in 2022. This allows them to have large military hard power e.g., blue water navy at spratly islands
- Political- China may politically be unable to exert global influence due to communist government having tight controls such as online censorship making international interactions difficult. This may then limit the spread of ideologies and cultural power.
Explain the strengths and weaknesses of Russia as a superpower
+ Resource- the have a huge natural resource potential, being the largest country worldwide spatially. They are the worlds leading natural gas exporter and second largest oil exporter (after Saudi), so can control prices boosting their economic power. They have over 20% of the worlds reserves
+ Military- Russia has the worlds largest store of nuclear with estimations of 5580
- Russia being reliant on oil and gas as their main exports could lead to poor economic power. Demand is decreasing as the world becomes more environmentally aware, and Russias lack of soft power means they are being isolated by the west
Explain the strengths and weaknesses of India as a superpower
+ Demography- India has a very youthful population with a mean age of 28. Also has largest population of 1.44 billion, not far ahead of china at 1.43 billion. This will increase economically active people in their IT economy, boosting the industry. As already the largest exporters of it, this is due to increase with a young population
+ Cultural- Bollywood film industry is worth just under 200 billion indian rupees in 2023. The largest film industry worldwide and make over 1000 films a year
- Wealth divide- India has a large wealth divide where the top 10% of the population hold 77% of national wealth. Bad infrastructure and poverty in many locations could hinder growth due to a lack of services like education, so much of the young population are likely to be low-skilled
Explain the strengths and weaknesses of Brazil as a superpower
+ resource- Brazil have a huge natural resource and farming potential with large exports of commodities like soya beans and iron ore.
- Political- Brazil can be seen as politically instable with their previous president being nicknamed ‘Brazil trump’. This can deflect FDI from committing to large-scale investments and reduces potential economic growth.
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of emerging powers on the world stage (12)
The most significant strength is emerging power economies. For example, China, a member of the BRICS, has the second largest GDP worldwide of nearly %18 trillion USD and can be described as a global hub for manufacturing. This is because of the global shift in manufacturing from the west to Asia, leading to their economic growth. This led to the creation of SEZs in the 1980s, creating favourable conditions like a lack of labour laws and attracting many TNCs and FDI, further increasing economic growth. This means much of the world are reliant on their manufacturing, giving them global power and influence, with capabilities to overtake current superpowers like the US. Although, some BRIC economies may be too reliant on one area e.g., Russias reliance on oil and gas exports, which could cause issues due to much of the developing world trying to move away from renewables and isolating Russia due to the war.
Another significant strength of emerging powers is their military, a hard power strategy which many emerging countries dominate in. Russia has the most nuclear weapons in the world with approximately 5580, posing a threat to other countries and protecting them from attacks. This means that Russia can force countries to act in a preferred way, increasing their global power. As well as this, China have strong military power such as a strong blue water navy which is enabling them to have power in the south-china sea conflict, protecting the spratly islands to keep resources to themselves, and therefore military power nay lead to them having strong resource power. However, strong military power could be seen as a weakness as this use of force decreases their soft power and respect from other countries and has led to Russian isolation from much of the west. This could be decreasing their global influence, hindering their ability to export resources to their potential. Therefore, emerging powers may have strong military power, but this often comes at a cost of soft power.
Contrastingly, a weakness of emerging powers is their political power, particularly demonstrated by China and Brazil. Brazil can be seen as politically unstable where the previous president was nicknamed ‘Brazil trump’. This can deflect long-term or significant FDI investments, limiting their ability to for economic growth with commodity exports like soya beans. China have a restricted communist government who limit international communication and culture spread by the great firewall of china. This could decrease their ability to have global influence.
Explain Rostow’s modernisation theory
Rostow’s modernisation theory is a liberal theory, emphasising the creating of wealth and power by changing patterns.
It suggests that economic development only begins when certain pre-conditions are met for take-off e.g., modern infrastructure, education and effective government. This has led to many developing countries attempting to reach pre-conditions so they can take-off
A large criticism of the theory is that it only describes the process of economic growth to become a superpower, not gaining an understanding of political and cultural power needed for superpower status
Explain Frank’s dependency theory
Frank’s dependency theory is a marxist theory, emphasising that some countries maintain wealth and power at the expensive of others, and so patterns of power are unlikely to change
Frank saw periphery countries as providing a range of services to core countries such as cheap commodity goods and an influx of skilled migrants. The core then control development of the periphery by manufacturing goods and setting them at high prices, keeping periphery underdeveloped. They also use economic and military aid to ‘buy’ periphery loyalty, maintaining patterns of power
A criticism is that it suggests periphery are stuck terminally underdeveloped, but newly industrialised industries have broken free e.g., Singapore
Explain Wallerstein’s World Systems Theory
This is a marxist theory that emphases some countries maintaining world power and wealth at the expense of others
This sees the world as a global system of core, semi-periphery and periphery nations. it suggests that whilst the world economy is ever-changing, there are 3 basic hierarchies to countries.
Core countries use semi-periphery to provide cheap labour e.g., China, and core get large returns. Periphery provide cheap raw materials to supply to semi-periphery and for core consumption. Periphery are therefore at the bottom of the supply chain and so are least able to benefit
A criticism is that it is marxist, however, the semi-periphery countries are catching up such as China
EQ2
Assess the role of TNCs in developing the importance of superpowers (12)
TNCs play an important role in developing superpower importance as they have huge economic importance to countries they are in. TNCs can dominate the economic landscape in terms of production and sales in countries they are in, so they can affect commodity price and increase superpower economic growth. This is particularly seen in countries of manufacturing economies like China, where China relies on TNCs global shift for their huge economy
Superpowers also play an important role in developing superpower importance because they invent new technology through research and development. These developments are then protected by patents, copyrights and trademarks. These legal protections means TNCs maintain exclusive rights to their innovations giving them more economic power due to substantial profits having a monopoly in markets.
Superpowers are also culturally important to superpowers as they can spread ideologies of the country they originate from as they are known globally. Glocalisation can help them to open in worldwide markets so they are known everywhere. Global media of companies like Disney has helped to spread western ideas e.g., christmas.
However, TNCs may not be so important as counterfeiting is becoming an issue which destroys brand image and decreases economic importance as people buy cheaper copies of luxury brands e.g., in china. This means TNCs may actually hinder growth of superpowers by reducing soft power by giving them a bad image if copies are of bad quality.
