What is a superpower and the criteria Flashcards
What characteristics may a superpower have?
Strong economy, strong military, oil, allies, nuclear weapons, well geographically placed, stable politics and technology.
What is a superpower?
A nation which is able to project it’s influence on a world wide scale.
Superpower criteria: Physical size and geographical position
By having a good geographical position you can access many trade routes. A large area means a large global influence and also means the country is more likely to have more resources. For example: Russia has trade routes with Europe, the Middle East, and China and so on.
Superpower criteria: Access to resources
Resources are critical for economic development such as oil. When countries withhold production and create shortages they create influence. For example countries in the Middle East withholding oil supplies unless prices per barrel increase.
Superpower criteria: Population size
Large population able to work means increase in economic growth. Larger population also provides a larger market. For example countries in the EU have access to 550 million people; much larger than individual countries. Also China has the largest population in the world and so they have huge potential to take advantage of having so many people who are able to work. (Evident in the fact they have the largest growing economy.)
Superpower criteria: Economic Power and influence
World’s top 12 economies influence much of what happens on a global level. They earn 68% of global GDP. USA for example have 26% of the world’s economy, and Germany have 6.8%.
Superpower criteria: Military force
Allows countries to assert dominance and power. The USA have military presence in a number of countries, it allows you to protect important trade routes. Having nuclear weapons gives you global influence.
Superpower criteria: Dominant belief system
Religion can seek influence through teaching and doctrine.
