Stability and Change Flashcards
(5 cards)
Examples of Political Stability and/or Change
- NATO expansion
- Sierra Leone (Erosion of stability)
- Tensions between East and West
NATO expansion explanation
Evidence Finland and Sweden
The conflict has reinforced NATO’s role as a critical security alliance. In response to Russian aggression, NATO has increased its presence in Eastern Europe, deploying additional troops to countries like Poland and the Baltic states. Furthermore Finland and Sweden, historically non-aligned states, applied for NATO membership in 2022, signalling the growing influence of the alliance. This expansion of NATO indicates a continuation of the status quo in European security, with NATO acting as a counterbalance to Russian aggression.
Tensions between East and West
Evidence/Explain
- Sanctions onto Russia
- Russia weaponising energy supplies
- Russia greater alliance with China, promoting “moltipolar world” over Western dominance.
- Greater tensions between East and West signalling erosion of political stability between the two regions.
Sierra Leone evidence
- Ukraine/Russia wheat exports
- Wheat prices following war
- World Food Programme quote
- Sierra Leone poverty stat
- Protests death stat
- Ukraine and Russia together account for over 30% of global wheat exports.
- Following the outbreak of war in 2022, wheat prices surged by over 50%
- World Food Programme warning of “a wave of hunger and destabilisation.”
- Nearly 60% of the population lives below the poverty line
- In Freetown, demonstrators clashed with police, leading to at least 27 deaths and the declaration of a nationwide curfew.
Sierra Leone explanation
The food insecurity caused by the war eroded citizens’ trust in their governments’ ability to provide basic necessities. In fragile states like Sierra Leone, this triggered violent protests, fatalities, and curfews, all of which undermined political legitimacy and increased the risk of regime collapse or authoritarian responses.
