Human Theories

Question 1

Maintenance of power = Hard/Soft/Smart power

Answer 1

Hard = economic/military
Soft = cultural/resources
Smart = a mixture of both

Joseph Nye

Question 2

Heartland theory - Mackinder

Answer 2

Mackinder’s ‘Heartland Theory’:
Based on the premise that most of the world’s natural resources are to be found in Asia and Europe
The ‘heartland’ is an area bordered by mountains on three sides and the Arctic to the north

Question 3

World systems theory - Wallerstein

Answer 3

World systems theory:
Developed by Wallerstein in 1974
Whole world is one unit divided into:
- Core = HICs - need labour and resources
- Periphery = NEE - share characteristics of core and periphery
- Semi-peripheries = LIC - need investment

Criticisms = too focused on economy and not on culture

Cheap labour and natural resources from periphery to core

Question 4

Modernisation theory - Rostow

Answer 4

Modernisation theory:
Based on 15 EU countries
1. Traditional society = subsidence farming
2. Transitional stage = shift to manufacturing and improved infrastructure
3. Take off = industrial growth, regional and political change
4. Drive to maturity = growth supported through tech innovation and investment
5. Mass consumption = consumer orientated society, production of goods, high incomes

Criticisms = outdated, too simple, assumes nations start at same point, does not show how nations get the money needed to advance, colonialism not taken into account

Question 5

Dependency theory - Frank

Answer 5

Dependency theory:
- poverty of developing countries is due to dependence on developed nations - unequal relationship
- linked to Neo-colonialism
- Primary resources are exported from developing countries to developed countries - low profits
- Developing countries do not have the funds to process primary resources which would add value
- Developed countries apply tariffs on processed goods which means that developing countries struggle to export processed goods

Criticisms = Developed countries have lost their power to control developing countries,
Countries are emerging and becoming more developed semi-periphery countries such as Mexico and India
The global system is now controlled by TNCs and the World Trade Organisation,
Underdevelopment may be due to internal not external factors

Question 6

Colonial and neocolonial control

Answer 6

European powers dominated invading and taking power in many countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas

Colonial control = one power dominating and exploiting another territory, it’s people and resources - many islands under British Empire and large amounts of Africa

Neocolonial control = the continuation of domination after a nation gains independence, after the Cold War ended in 1991- can be through political, military, economic, cultural (China and Africa)

Question 7

Hegemony/hegemonic power

Answer 7

One dominant superpower (USA could become)

Question 8

Neoliberalism

Answer 8

Promoting free markets, deregulation, and a reduction of state/government intervention in the economy

Question 9

IGOs

Answer 9

World bank = SAPs - focuses on developed nations

IMF = SAPs - focuses on developing nations

WTO = reduce barriers and promote free trade

WEF = promotes free trade and is in favour of TNCs - bring businesses and governments together

Question 10

Climate change

Answer 10

Earth summit 1992

Kyoto protocol 1997

Paris agreement 2015 = variation in willingness to act = China/USA

IPCC 2 degrees

Question 11

Alliances

Answer 11

Military = NATO, ANZUS

Economic and political = EU, ASEAN, NAFTA

Environmental = IPCC, UNFCCC

UN = 193 nations

Question 12

Contested areas

Answer 12

South China Sea = trade - link between Indian and Pacific oceans (lots of biodiversity)

Artic = resources - no international treaty to protect the environment - 160bn barrels of oil and 30% undiscovered gas

Question 13

Shift of industry

Answer 13

Industry moving from western nations to Asian

China open door policy 1978 = FDI and trade

Question 14

Measuring globalisation

Answer 14

KOF index = measures the social, economic and political aspects of globalisation through a wide range of data and countries are scored out of 100 (higher = more globalised)

• only available for 122 countries
• does not include environmental factors

AT Kearney index = aims to look at how countries cope with population growth and a shrinking world
Ranks cities according to their ‘business activity’, ‘cultural experience’ and ‘political engagement’

• only looks at 156 countries

Question 15

5 pillars for superpowers

Answer 15

1. Economic
2. Military
3. Political
4. Cultural
5. Resources

Demographic