topic7- superpower Flashcards
define superpower
a nation with means to project its power and influence anywhere in the world
how did America become a superpower
-control lots of territory
-in WW1, they intervened to end the war, promoting peace and stability.
-the creation of IGOs e.g. the Bretton’s Woods Agreement
-They maintained economic stability during the war
- creation of Nato (a military alliance)
-controlling global affairs
what’s a hard power
a power through force and is likely to involve military power or economic sanctions
whats a soft power
exerting influence through favour and persuasion ,and is therefore likely to be based on cultural power
examples of hard powers
- using economic sanctions against countries
-military action, or the threat of it
-military presence and force
-military alliances such as NATO
examples of economic power
-favouring certain trade partners
-using aid to influence policy
-trade blocs and alliances
-aid and trade
examples of soft power
-culture and ideology
-exerting influence through favour and persuasion
-using the media to promote a particular image and message
what are the 5 permanent members of the UN security council
China, France, Russia, UK, USA
whats a hyperpower
an unchallenged power dominant in all aspects of power e.g. USA (1990-2010) and Britain (1850-1910)
characteristics countries need to be a superpower?
-military
-political
-cultural influence
-access to natural resources
talk abt physical size and geographical position and the advantages and disadvantages for superpowers
soft power
-bigger countries have greater resources and influence- e.g Russia controls significant resources
however may have complex relations with neighbours
talk abt economic power and influence and how advantages and disadvantages for superpowers
hard power
-the 10 largest economies:
-earns 56% of global GDP
- control investment
-have the worlds most powerful currencies
-determine economic policies
however aid is only granted to those agreeing to policies specified to the countries providing aid
talk abt demographic factors and the advantages and disadvantages for superpowers
soft power
- a large population size leads to economic successes as there is a sufficient labour force
- many areas use people as a source of cheap labour
-a large population also spurs economic growth
However a large pop is not critical to pwr, e.g Singapore ( great influence upon SE Asia)
talk abt military strength and the advantages and disadvantages for superpowers
Hard power
-the size of a countries military determines their power- many countries regard the membership of the UN security council as the ultimate status of power
However type of weapons owned is representative of power e.g. nuclear weapons
talk abt political factors and the advantages and disadvantages for superpowers
Hard power
-most countries have realised that grouping up with like minded countries can cause them to exert more influence.
OECD began
- the G20 has a great influence and is a significant decision making forum
via this few countries have much influence on their own.
limitations- permeant members can block others decisions in the UN security council
talk abt military strength and the advantages and disadvantages for superpowers
Hard power
-the size of a countries military determines their strength
-many countries regard membership of the UN security council as the ultimate status in power
-however, military size is often less significant than national defence budgets and technology
- the type of weapons owned is also representative of power (nuclear > big military)
talk abt cultural influence and the advantages and disadvantages for superpowers
Soft power
-increased globalisation has lead to a global culture, spread via multimedia TNCs such as Disney. They dominate global culture by deciding which films people can watch
-many UK commercial radio stations
-however, North Korea dislike cultural erosion (censorship)
talk abt access to natural resources and the advantages and disadvantages for superpowers
Soft power
- some resources are essential to economic development
-OPEC countries influence setting global oil prices
however, the possession of natural resources doesn’t guarantee development. many countries’ natural resources may be managed by major TNCs so they can gain less profit, also countries with lack of investment means countries cant acquire material
where is the heartland located
Eastern Europe into Russia at the centre
what 3 things determined power in the heartland
- whoever ruled the most strategic part of Europe would command the heartland
-whoever ruled the heartland would command the world island (Europe and Russia)
-whoever controlled the world island ruled the world
what happens to the power when moved away from the heartland
power decreases
what 2 simple factors contribute to Russia’s power
-its location and resources
what factors hinders Russia’s power
-its many borders means it can be attacked from many directions
- because much of it’s coast is frozen in the winter, it has few year round ports
what role does sea power play in global power in terms of the heartland throry
- it was thought that the heartland could shift geographically, especially due to sea power.
how has the global power shifted in the 21st century- what impact has this had
the centre is pulled towards the region with the largest GDP- this shows the importance of the of the British industrial revolution and how it shifts with the rise of the USA. Its also reflected the growing importance of china. Due to the global shift, power has shifted towards the East.
-globalisation (a soft power) has played a key role in the 21st centaury, its significant to the development of technology.
whats a hyper power
a hyperpower is an unchallenged superpower that is dominant in all aspects of power e.g. USA 1990-2010
whats cultural hegemony
power/ dominance through the means of soft power/ cultural means
why is defence spending seen as a crucial development of superpower status (4)
Defence spending is critical towards the exercise of hard power because it enables territorial expansion and/or the protection of current territory, which in turn brings wealth through the acquisition of resources allowing the maintenance/ growth of the economy needed to develop superpower status
explain how soft power can be used to maintain superpower status (4)
soft power is exerting influence through favour and persuasion. Hollywood and Disney. Soft power includes cultural influences (arts, media, food) and has been seen as an important part of western superpower influence. the extent to which this will be important for emerging power will be discussed…
-allows usa to gain a global influence.
-food: glocalsiation- countries adapt their products to suit local tastes/ culture/ religion e.g McDonalds in India
-media: social media- communication + share info + ideologies
-media: film- Disney- glocalised movies for specific cultures e.g, lion king
Dominance of westernisation-> uk and usa employ large amount of TNCs
during the rule of the British Empire, what mechanisms of power did they use
hard power-> e.g. military
patterns of power change over time, what are the 3 types of polar worlds
-uni-polar world
-bi-polar world
-multi-polar world
whats a uni-polar world and an example
when the world is dominated by one superpower
e.g. the british empire
whats a bi-polar world and an example
two superpowers, with differing ideologies, compete for power on a global scale
e.g. during the cold war the USA and USSR competed
whats a multi-polar world and an example
many superpowers and emerging powers compete for power in different regions
e.g. developed and BRIC nations*
why might it be difficult for a country to remain as a hyperpower
-competition of resources*
what is colonialism
the direct control exerted over territories conquered by mainly European powers in the period 1600-1900. They were ruled by force, with almost no power or influence being given to the original population.
-imposing government system and laws
what is imperialism
extending a countries power through colonization, military or other
a relationship of political, economic or cultural control between geographical areas
what is colonisation
the physical settling of people from colonial power within their colony.
Is this imperialism, colonialism or colonisation?
The political control of Burma by Britain
colonialism/ imperialism
Is this imperialism, colonialism or colonisation?
The introduction of Christianity in countries
imperialism
Is this imperialism, colonialism or colonisation?
English people moving to live and work in India
colonisation
what led to a decline in European territories
post ww2 as countries gained independence
at its height, how much did the British empire extend over and how much of the population did it rule
extended over aprox 25% of the worlds land and ruled 20% of the pop
The british empire has the royal Navy which dominated the seas around 1700-1930 and it helped protect trading routes. The Navy was a symbol of military power. why was this significant for Britain in a uni-polar world
the navy was a hard power. This was important for Britain because it allowed them to be seen as an indestructible force and as they ruled the sea, they then had the power to determine the trade taking place
state the timeline of the British empire
-late 1400s-
England was competing with Spain and Portugal to explore the world. Christopher Columbus discovered America. This was hard power and land and settlements were gained for the empire
-1600s-
Rivalry with other European powers led to the Anglo-Dutch wars, England won. this was hard power and they gained power due to their victory.
-1600s-1800s-
Britain established trading companies to finance voyages to search for valuable commodities. For much of the 1800s, Britain was unchallenged by any other superpowers. soft/hard (resource acquisitions)*
-1875 onwards-
The British empire worked by direct colonial control. The steamship and telegraph* were new technologies to maintain the empire. British inventions, sports and language were spread, this facilitated trade and growth. British ideologies dominated many areas
-imperial era (late 19th century)-
although it had almost total global control, it had little input in politics, Britain also helped defeat China in the opium wars. Hard power, although political imprint was declining, the military was still deemed as formidable
-1914-
Britain’s empire was becoming overstretched and was facing competition from a rapid industrialising Germany. Britain had to face challenges. Hard.
-after the second world war-
growth of the US and Japanese naval power occurred, challenging Britains control, Britain became bankrupt. Hard. The downfall of the British empire occurred
what 3 factors allowed Britain to be able to conquer India
- Robert Clive learnt the best way to repel troops mounted on elephants
**2. Clive took a large sum of money and shipped it and the East Indian company took control with this - British style palaces were built and Clive became governor of Bengal
state 6 things about the impact of Britain as a superpower on India
- Acculturation took place- British traditions (e.g. tea and cricket ) were introduced. A strict social order that differentiated the ruling White British from the Indians
2.The British ‘modernised’ India building an extensive rail network- enabling exports but also the efficient movement of troops. - symbols of imperial power were built (e.g. presidential palace in Delhi) were built by the British as a symbol of political power , wealth and prestige
- Educated Indians ( speaking English and wearing European attire) occupied lower administrative positions (and were used in other colonies in East Africa)
- collaboration of Indian Princely states- these were given a measure of self-rule
- British military personnel, civil servants and entrepreneurs emigrated to India ***
what are the 4 pillars of superpower status
-military
-political
-cultural influence
-access to natural resources
describe the mercantilist phase of the British Empire and what this did to Britain’s superpower status
Mercantilism- an economic theory practice that promoted governmental regulation of a nations economy to expand power at the extent of other nations. An example is building overseas colonies. This also allowed Britain to expand state power through trade as this policy accumulated finance/money.
describe the Imperial phase of the British Empire and what this did to Britain’s superpower status
-expansion of the formal empire (military and political influence) rather than securing authority through cultural, commercial or diplomatic (spoken) means. Allowed for direct rule
describe the post-colonial phase of the British Empire and what this did to Britain’s superpower status
After WW2, British colonial rule was weakened as countries sought independence. Once countries got independence, the British Empire was transformed into the commonwealth.
In what two ways was The British Empire justified
via:
-modernism
-evangelical Christianity and social Darwinism
define the term modernism which justified The British Empire
MODERNISM:
-the world can be improved by human intervention and achievement
-Europe could improve the world by colonising
-Europeans were superior to others
-British were naturally intelligent
-British were natural rulers
- Britain should and could rule the world
define the term Evangelical Christianity and social Darwinism which justified The British Empire
Evangelism- spread of the Christian word through churches and schools
This led to…
1. Belief that natives were racially inferior
2. Belief that colonialism was a divine calling
Social Darwinism- Strong should survive over the weak
Capitalist themes
-the USA
-free market economy
-wealth and poverty in a country
-democratic elections
-businesses are privately owned
-social objective= freedom
Communist themes
- the USSR
-government planned economy - social objective= equality
-general standard of living is low but there is no extreme poverty
what two technology based events are associated with the cold war
-Russians win race to launch Earth satellite (1957) projecting they are more technologically advanced and allows them to ‘spy’
-US man enters space (1969)- US increased influence as they have colonized more land
characteristics of the cold war superpowers: geography and resources
USA and USSR had a population near 200-300 million people
-both were self sufficient in most raw materials
