7.2.2

Question 1

Outline the main trend in unequal power relations

Answer 1

HDE countries have more control over global systems bringing benefits such as greater wealth, better access to technology and increased economic and political power

Meanwhile, LDE countries have limited power and struggle to respond to global challenges such as climate change and sea level rise

Question 2

How do IMF and World Bank reinforce unequal relations?

Answer 2

Decisions are heavily influenced by the USA

When borrowing countries remove trade barriers, it can damage their economy

Loans tend to have conditions attached reducing the sovereignty of borrowing countries

They promote neo-liberalism

Question 3

Outline how use of technology can be an example of unequal power relations on the example of China

Answer 3

Increasingly the internet is utilised to influence and control global information

China has the ‘Great Firewall’ which is used to regulate the internet and blocks access to certain foreign websites
The launch of the ‘Great Cannon’ followed in 2015 which is able to adjust and replace internet content
The ‘Golden Shield’ is the use of technology as surveillance to monitor any dissent and anti government activity amongst the population

Concerns about the use of technology by one country to influence voting behaviour in another have also increased

Question 4

Outline an example of unequal power relations in military (South China Sea example)

Answer 4

China’s expansion in the South China Sea has included:

Building islands and arming them
Violating international law by laying claim to 90% of the South China Sea
Military exercises and manoeuvres

This expansion were it permitted would give China control of a vital trade route

There are attempts to control this through military, diplomatic and legal means

The nations in the South China Sea are reliant on other nations such as the USA as they cannot match China’s power