A-Level Geography: Superpowers EQ2 Flashcards
(41 cards)
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
What is a superpower?
A superpower can be defined as a country with a dominating power and influence. It means that this country influences different parts of the world beyond their own borders.
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
What is a regional power?
- A country that exerts influence over other countries in the immediate area of the same region.
- China and India are regional powers in Asia and currently developing to become (possible) superpowers.
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
What is an emerging power?
- An emerging power is a country that has increasing influence but is not yet dominant.
- We can refer to the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China) as emerging powers.
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
Why is what are the top three largest economies with regard to GDP?
- America is the world’s largest economy with a GDP of $20 trillion.
- China is second with a GDP of $14 trillion.
- Japan has the 3rd largest economy in the world.
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
How much of the global GDP do the world’s 10 largest economies earn?
The world’s 10 largest economies earn 65% of the global GDP.
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
What are the world’s five largest consumer markets?
- The USA
- China
- Japan
- Germany
- The UK
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
What currency has historically been considered a powerful currency?
The US dollar (USD).
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
Why do some nations borrow in the US Dollar? Name a real-life example.
- Some nations have to borrow in US Dollars because investors do not trust their currencies.
- Turkey had problems in 2018 because they had lots of debts in dollars and their currency kept depreciating vs the US Dollar, so they could not repay their debts.
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
How do the world’s largest economies and economic superpowers control investment?
- Most Foreign Direct Investment is directed towards these ten countries because a TNC investing here is likely to make more profit. This is because the consumer market is so large.
- Most of the world’s biggest companies are from the USA or China. Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Google are from America and Tencent (own part of Fortnite) and Alibaba are from China.
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
What is an example of a Superpower gaining status without physical size?
The British Empire is an example of gaining superpower status without physical size. Britain exerted global influence despite being a small island. But the Empire included large territories like India and had lots of strategic locations.
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
What is an example of a Superpower characterised by ifs physical size?
- Russia is the world’s largest country and controls significant resources as a result of its size.
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
How has Russia’s physical size benefitted it?
- The size of Russia may also prove important in the future with the Arctic region. Climate change makes it possible to exploit some of the previously untapped natural resources.
- The Arctic is mainly under Russian & Canadian control.
- The state-controlled oil company Rosneft has spent $1.74 billion in Arctic exploration since 2012 and will invest another $4.35 billion between 2017-2021.
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
How can superpowers exert political power in modern times?
With the rise of globalisation, it is rare for a country to hold much influence on their own. It is much more common for countries to exert power through their membership of trade blocs or IGOs.
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
How TNCs help promote global cultures/influence?
- Disney promotes a global culture with American traits through its films and TV shows.
- Netflix is also spreading US culture internationally.
- Global media TNCs influence global culture by deciding which films people watch.
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
How have demographics helped China achieve superpower status?
- China used its large population (1.4 billion) to become the ‘work shop of the world’. It was able to provide TNCs with low labour costs and use this to grow its manufacturing sector.
- As China becomes a more wealthy power, its large population is now offering TNCs a large consumer market and so increasing economic growth further.
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
What are examples of countries rising to superpower/regional powers without large demographics?
Singapore is an example of this. It is a regional power with major influence in South Asia yet it has a population of only 5.6 million. This suggests that demographics are not the only thing that matters.
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
How was the USA’s access to natural resources important to its growth as a superpower?
- The USA was very rich in Iron and Steel, which were very important in its development in the late 1800s.
- John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil was so powerful from 1870-1911 that it had to be broken up.
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
Why is access to resources not the only important reason for status development?
- Much of Africa has huge resource reserves but these have caused conflict and hindered development further.
- Corruption can mean that the gains do not accrue to the country.
- TNCs can manage many natural resource reserves and countries may not receive many benefits. In Nigeria, Shell and BP have developed many Nigerian oil fields.
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
What are the main Global Environmental Concerns?
- Urban air quality in emerging power cities is very dangerous due to poor vehicle engines.
- Imports and exports have increased so CO2 has increased through increased transport. This means goods have a larger carbon footprint.
- Deforestation has accelerated as people cut down trees in order to grow crops for food or biofuel
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
What has emerging economies and growing wealth led to?
- Emerging economies and the growing wealth of many countries has led to increased consumption of various resources.
- High resource consumption (the last stage in Rostow’s Modernisation Model) has caused many environmental problems
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
What are some of the pressures a growing middle-class provides?
- Food security
- Water security
- Energy security
- Resource security
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
How does a growing middle-class increase pressures on food security?
There will be more demand for volume and variety of food types. Land used for staple foods will be converted to produce meat and dairy products, which are more expensive to produce and release more greenhouse gases. This will cause food prices to rise, which would affect the poorest worst.
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
How does a growing middle-class increase pressures on water security?
Many emerging countries already suffer from water shortages. By 2030, it is estimated that 60% of places in India will face water scarcity. This could also worsen food security, as droughts induce crop failures and famine.
7.6 Global concerns about the physical environment are disproportionately influenced by superpower actions.
How does a growing middle-class increase pressures on energy security?
Oil demand is expected to rise by 30% by 2030. Prices of oil will increase and there may be shortages, causing electricity blackouts. Countries with vast reserves are likely to be in a good position (e.g. Russia) whereas countries not self-sufficient will be left vulnerable to exploitation.
