Superpowers

Question 1

Political power

Answer 1

The ability to influence the policies of other countries through the dominance of negotiations. (Both bilaterally & through international organisations).

Question 2

Superpower

Answer 2

A country with the ability to project its dominating power and influence anywhere in the world, sometimes in more than one region of the globe at a time.

Question 3

Emerging superpower

Answer 3

Countries with a role in one or more superpower characteristics, & with growing influence. E.g. Brazil, India, China & Russia

Question 4

Regional power

Answer 4

Can project dominating influence over other countries within their continent or region. e.g. South Africa and Nigeria in Africa.

Question 5

Cultural influence

Answer 5

The ability to influence the beliefs, values, ideology & way of life in other countries.

Question 6

Hyperpower

Answer 6

One, globally dominating superpower.

Question 7

Hard power

Answer 7

Using military and economic influences (trade deals, sanctions) to force a country to act in a particular way.

Question 8

Soft power

Answer 8

More subtle persuasion of countries to act in particular way, on the basis that the persuader is respected & appealing. Includes political persuasion (diplomacy) & cultural influence.
-International rankings of soft power usually place the UK, US, Ger, France (Western liberal democracies).

Question 9

The ‘great power competition’

Answer 9

(Loosely defined term- meaning still evolving). Refers to the competition between established superpowers mainly the U.S, Russia, & rising superpowers such as China to influence international norms, win influence, & shape international discourses & practices.

Question 10

Colonialism

Answer 10

Where an external nation takes direct control of a territory, often by force.

Question 11

Aid dependency

Answer 11

The level to which a country can’t perform many of the basic functions of governance without overseas aid.

Question 12

Arctic amplification

Answer 12

The phenomenon where the Arctic region is warming twice as fast as the global average.

Question 13

Austerity

Answer 13

The policy of reducing gov spending and debt.

Question 14

Brics

Answer 14

Collective term for Brazil, Russia, India & China (and, latterly, South Africa) which were predicted (by writer Richard Scase in 2000) to show rapid economic growth.

Question 15

Democracy aid

Answer 15

The allocation of funds to other countries for democracy building.

Question 16

Deregulation

Answer 16

The reduction in government involvement in finance and business.

Question 17

Development aid

Answer 17

Financial aid given to developing countries to support their long-term economic, political, social and environmental development.

Question 18

Economic restructuring

Answer 18

The shift in employment from the primary and secondary sectors into tertiary and quaternary.

Question 19

Economic sanctions

Answer 19

Financial penalties (such as freezing assets or trade embargoes) which are designed to put pressure on another country to change their polices or behaviour.

Question 20

Import substitution

Answer 20

Boosting domestic manufacturing and production as a substitute for previously imported products.

Question 21

Intergovernmental organisation (IGO)

Answer 21

An organisation involving several countries working together on issues of common interest.

Question 22

International Monetary fund (IMF)

Answer 22

A global organisation whose primary role is to maintain international financial stability.

Question 23

Modernisation theory

Answer 23

A theory that believed that poverty was a trap; traditional family values in poorer countries held economies back; and that capitalism was the solution to poverty.

Question 24

Nationalism

Answer 24

A patriotic feeling of pride and loyalty to a nation.

Question 25

Neo-colonialism

Answer 25

Describes how even though less-developed countries may no longer be directly ruled by another, they are still controlled indirectly through economic, cultural and political means.

Question 26

2015 Paris agreement

Answer 26

Legally binding global climate deal, adopted by 195 countries at the UN’s Paris climate Conference (COP21) in December 2015.

Question 27

Privatisation

Answer 27

The transfer of state or government assets into ownership by private individuals, companies or shareholders.

Question 28

Proxy war

Answer 28

A war instigated by a major power that’s not always directly involved in the fighting.

Question 29

Schengen Agreement

Answer 29

An agreement which abolished many of the internal border controls within the EU and enabled passport-free movement across most EU member states.

Question 30

Sectoral sanctions

Answer 30

Penalties that are imposed on targeted key areas in another country, such as energy, banking, finance, defense and technology.

Question 31

Soft power

Answer 31

The power that arises from a country’s political and economic influence, moral authority and cultural attractiveness.

Question 32

Unilateral actions

Answer 32

One country, or group of countries acting against another, for example, without formal UN security council.

Question 33

Wallerstein’s world systems theory

Answer 33

A theory which claims that core regions drive the world economy and that peripheral areas (distant from the core and lacking capital) rely on core regions to exploit their raw materials. Therefore, unequal trade develops between them.

Question 34

Washington consensus

Answer 34

A belief that economic efficiency can only be achieved if regulations are removed.

Question 35

World bank

Answer 35

A global organisation whose role is to finance development.

Question 36

World trade organisation (WTO)

Answer 36

A global organisation which looks at the rules for how countries trade with each other.

Question 37

Patent

Answer 37

Legal protection given to a new invention (new intellectual property). Other companies can use it but only after paying a royalty fee to the inventor (usually a company). The WTO enforces intellectual property rights.