Superpowers Key Theroetical Terms

Question 1

Superpower

Answer 1

A nation with the ability to project its influence anywhere in the world and be a dominant global force

Question 2

Emerging superpowers

Answer 2

Nations whose economic military and political influence is already large but still growing

Question 3

Regional powers

Answer 3

Smaller influence- countries that are superpowers at a continental scale

Question 4

Hyper power

Answer 4

A current superpower that is completely unchallenged by other powers

Question 5

Hard power

Answer 5

Use of military or economic force to make a country alter its ways

Question 6

Soft power

Answer 6

Use of power via policies and ideologies to influence a country to change

Question 7

Smart power

Answer 7

A mixed use of soft and hard power e.g. trade agreements

Question 8

Imperialist strategies

Answer 8

Strategy to extend a countries power via colonisation

Question 9

A unipolar world

Answer 9

Global power is dominated by one country

Question 10

A multi polar world

Answer 10

World where many different countries are global powers and they compete for global dominance

Question 11

What was the winds of change?

Answer 11

1950-70 era amongst African nations in which they experienced independence and equality

Question 12

Sphere of influence

Answer 12

A country or area in which another country or TNC has power to effect developments although it has no formal authority

Question 13

Nationalism

Answer 13

The belief that one countries culture is superior to others

Question 14

A bipolar world

Answer 14

When two global powers with differing ideologies dominate simultaneously

Question 15

Neo colonialisms

Answer 15

Mechanisms by which post colonial powers maintain control over ex colonies in the developing world

Question 16

SAP

Answer 16

Structural adjustment programme

Question 17

Debt-Aid relationship

Answer 17

Developing nations owe money for past loans from developed nations yet rely on aid from these same nations to survive

Question 18

Poor terms of trade

Answer 18

When developing nations export low value (often primary goods) to developed nations and import high value manufactured goods in return (disproportionately advantageous trade)

Question 19

Brain drain

Answer 19

The loss of developing nations brightest and most productive people as they migrate to developed nations

Question 20

Hegemony

Answer 20

Dominance

Question 21

Assured mutual destruction

Answer 21

Phenomenon where two powers don’t fight as they know a fight would negatively impact them both (e.g. nuclear war)

Question 22

Power vacuum

Answer 22

Situation in which there is a lack of global leadership

Question 23

UNSC

Answer 23

United Nations security council

Question 24

Capitalism

Answer 24

Economic model where markets are free and competitive with values of goods and services determined by supply and demand and people can privately own businesses and accumulate wealth

Question 25

Centrally planned economy

Answer 25

Economic model where all businesses are government owned and run, the lack of competition means the government can set prices for goods and services and the entire population are employed by the state

Question 26

State capitalism

Answer 26

Economic model (between capitalism and centrally planned) in which most industries are still owned by the government but some private investment and ownership has been allowed

Question 27

Trade liberalisation

Answer 27

The removal of trade restrictions such as tariffs or subsidies

Question 28

Public TNCs

Answer 28

Privately owned companies funded by numerous shareholders where shareholders receive a portion of annual profits as dividends these companies favour profit above all else

Question 29

Lobbying governments

Answer 29

Process undertaken by some powerful TNCs to change policy decisions in order to maximise profits

Question 30

Brand value

Answer 30

The overall worth of a brand, reflecting its overall strength, reputation and market position

Question 31

Brand value

Answer 31

The overall worth of a brand, reflecting its overall strength, reputation and market position

Question 32

Westernisation

Answer 32

The spread of western culture (capitalism) through arts, film, media, literature and fashion

Question 33

Unilateral intervention

Answer 33

Where one country acts alone in conflicts or world matters with its hugely powerful military or economy acting as a deterrent towards retaliation

Question 34

Economies of scale

Answer 34

The way in which mass produces products become cheaper as parts of the production line specialise and tariffs / subsidies are reduced

Question 35

Geopolitical stability

Answer 35

Global scale politics referring to the risk of wars, conflict or terrorism

Question 36

Deindustrialisation

Answer 36

Decline in industrial production and energy intensive sectors, in turn reducing carbon emissions

Question 37

Physical resources

Answer 37

Natural resources such as fossil fuels, minerals or timber

Question 38

Human Resources

Answer 38

The size of the working age population / skilled and innovative populations

Question 39

Transboundary resources

Answer 39

Reserves of resources that sit not within just one but multiple countries borders

Question 40

Exclusive economic zones

Answer 40

Area of ocean extending 200 miles from the mainlands coast that belongs to that nation (UNCLOS instigated)

Question 41

Intellectual property

Answer 41

The design of a product, piece of art etc that belongs to a specific brand or person

Question 42

Royalties

Answer 42

Money payed to an intellectual property owner that allows another company to utilise that intellectual property

Question 43

Wealthy elites

Answer 43

Rich individuals whom benefit from neo colonialism and have no desire to change

Question 44

Environmental exploitation

Answer 44

Unsustainable and irresponsible destruction of the natural environment used for economic gain

Question 45

Economic centre of gravity

Answer 45

Where the largest proportion of global gdp is created

Question 46

Cultural ideologies

Answer 46

Different perceptions across the world towards women, sexuality and the environment: often thought of as western capitalism, the Muslim world and eastern traditional culture

Question 47

Economic restructuring

Answer 47

Shift from one sector e.g. manufacturing industries to other sectors e.g. the service sector

Question 48

Skills gaps

Answer 48

Gaps in the labour forces skills meaning it cannot carry out some specific functions