Topic 7 - Superpowers Flashcards
Define superpower?
A nation with the ability to protect its influence anywhere in the world and be a dominant global force - used to describe dominant world powers like British empire, USA and USSR
Explain the role of size and population for superpowers?
Size
- larger land areas have greater natural resources
- extend influence over a large number of neighbours
Population
- economic growth can not be sustained without sufficient number of workers and large pops encourage economic growth through markets
- cheap workers can help promote growth (China and India)
- attracts skilled migrants and other workers
Explain the role of resources and military power for superpowers?
Resources
- countries with resources necessary for economic development should hold power - eg oil and gas
- not guaranteed power from exporting material as this add little value and TNCs control large volumes of resources (BP - Nigeria)
Military power
- military force can be used to exert pressure for achieving geopolitical goals (toppling saddam Hussain)
- type of weapons owned are sign of power (eg nuclear weapons)
- bases, aircraft carriers, drones and a blue water navy allow the deployment of military anywhere in the world
Explain the role of economic power and political for superpowers?
Economic power
- Countries with the largest economies have a significant influence over global
economies these countries have (around 2/3 of world GDP)
- Control investment and use the world’s most powerful currencies ($, € and £) and determine economic policies which affect the globe
Finnish political
Explain the role of cultural power (soft power) for superpowers?
Finnish notes
What are the 4 pillars of superpower status - briefly explain each one?
- military - can be used to achieve goals through reach and strength
- political - ability to influence others through diplomacy
- cultural - how appealing a nations way of life is and its values/ideology’s attractiveness
- resources - physicals resources (oil,minerals, land ext) and human (population, skill or education)
Economic base - gives the national wealth to maintain military power, exploit natural resources and develop resources
Explain soft power?
The power of persuasion - contrast with hard power which is getting your way by force
Explain how soft powers maintain power?
Soft power co-opts the views and agreement of other countries – they exert influence without force - due to history, culture and diplomacy
- eg the UK
Explain how hard powers maintain power?
Hard power incorporates military and economic powers - USA confronts other nations with force and dominates the
worlds economy
Explain why the uk is a the top of the ‘soft power’ index?
- foreign aid commitments
- democracy and personal freedoms
- high quality education
- popular media and shows
- relations with countries and diplomatic ties
- military aid and training
Explain why the uk is a the top of the ‘soft power’ index?
- foreign aid commitments
- democracy and personal freedoms
- high quality education
- popular media and shows
- relations with countries and diplomatic ties
- military aid and training
Finnish 7.2
Which countries will be the largest by population and GDP by 2030?
Population
- India (1,520 mil)
- China (1,390 mil)
- USA (360 mil)
GDP
- USA (25 trillion)
- China (22 trillion)
- India (7 trillion)
Outline how global powers are changing and will differ in the future?
- EU and Japan have ageing populations with little demographic growth - economies will slow down
- USA has less ageing problems but economic and population growth expected to be moderate rather than rapid
- China and Brazil have an ageing population - with a slow growing middle class - but manufacturing based economy has huge potential
Explain where future super-powers are likely to emerge from?
BRIC - Brazil, Russia, India and China - identified as emerging powers with significant economic potential
G20 major economies - made up of 19 countries and includes potential emerging powers like Mexico, Indonesia South Korea and Saudi Arabia
- accounts for 85% global GDB, 85% of world trade and 65% of world population
Explain where super future powers are likely to emerge from?
BRIC - Brazil, Russia, India and China - identified as emerging powers with significant economic potential
G20 major economies - made up of 19 countries and includes potential emerging powers like Mexico, Indonesia South Korea and Saudi Arabia
- accounts for 85% global GDB, 85% of world trade and 65% of world population
What are the BRIC countries - why are they interested in working together?
Formal association of 4 large and fast growing economies that were likely to have increasingly global influence in the future (Brazil, Russia, India and China - sometimes SA is included)
- India and China both worlds largest population - set to become worlds powerhouses
- China ad Russia share communist political views
- Brazil is Chinas main supplier of raw materials
allows for a strong partnership
Explain BRICS development bank?
Launched a development bank and a currency reserve pool to reshape the western-dominated international financial system
- will fund infrastructure projects in developing countries
- will compete with the IMF to finance infrastructure and development projects - with a budge of 50 bn
Explain the contingent reserve arrangement (CRA) of BRICS?
- developed to act as a rival to the world bank
- will make 100 bn available - which will strengthen global financial stability
- decreasing western significance in global economics
Explain what G20 is?
Developed in 1999 - involving 19 countries and some groups (EU and African Union)
- accounts for 85% of global GDP and 65% of worlds population
