The USA vs China Flashcards
A weaker USA?
Vulnerability to terrorist attacks, such as 9/11, removing its veneer of invincibility.
Growing economic problems at home, such as the 2008 financial crisis, causing it to focus more on internal affairs.
A feeling that some of its foreign policy actions, such as the Iraq War and detention of terrorist suspects in Guantanamo Bay, were ill conceived and have undermined its international authority.
Increased dependence on foreign oil and gas imports weakens its economic bargaining power.
A more influential China?
The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games were a showcase of Chinese culture, ingenuity and technical prowess.
Chinese companies are beginning to become world players. In 2008, 70 of the world’s largest companies were Chinese, compared to only 30 in 2002.
China’s position as the world’s biggest emitter of carbon dioxide gives it a new status and increasingly important role in the fight against global warming.
Chinese technology is advancing rapidly.
What are two theories about the growth of superpowers try to explain how they achieved and maintain their power?
Modernisation theory and Dependency theory.
What is the modernisation theory?
Modernization theory is used to explain the process of modernization within societies. Modernization refers to a model of a progressive transition from a ‘pre-modern’ or ‘traditional’ to a ‘modern’ society.
What is the dependency theory?
Theory influential in the 1970s that the continuing poverty, social deprivation, and political instability in many poor countries was a result of their economic dependence on capitalist countries.
What is the world systems theory?
World Systems Theory posits that there is a world economic system in which some countries benefit while others are exploited.
