Superpowers

Question 1

What is a superpower?

Answer 1

A nation which has the ability to project its influence around the world through hard or soft power.

Question 2

What is global influence?

Answer 2

Means a superpower has big decision making and they are often a global force for change

Question 3

What are the four pillars of superpower status?

Answer 3

Strong economic base
Military
Political and ideology
Cultural influence

Question 4

Why is a strong economic base important to be a superpower?

Answer 4

A large economy enables a nation to control trade
Also spend more on military

Question 5

Why is military important as a superpower?

Answer 5

Can use hard power to threaten or invade countries

Question 6

Why does Political and Ideological factors influence superpowers?

Answer 6

Be able to influence county which suits/ matches their political desires.
Many countries force ideologies through policies

Question 7

Why does culture play a big role in being a superpower?

Answer 7

Projecting a nations cultural values on others can change the way other populations think and align their ideology with the superpowers.

Question 8

How is culture spread across the world?

Answer 8

Through social media, films, music, food, art etc

Question 9

What is an example of culture being spread?

Answer 9

Westernisation

Question 10

What are the two resources a superpower can use to exercise their power?

Answer 10

Physical resources
Human Resources

Question 11

Explain why it’s good to have physical resources?

Answer 11

Oil and gas can be used as a way to develop a countries economy as other countries can be reliant on it therefore exercise power through trade

Question 12

What is an example of exerting power through physical resources?

Answer 12

Russia providing gas to Europe

Question 13

Explain how having Human Resources can benefit a superpower?

Answer 13

A large human workforce if utilised properly can help develop a nations economy

Question 14

Example of countries using Human Resources?

Answer 14

China and India use their populations to manufacture goods to trade which develops their economy

Question 15

What are the two types of power?

Answer 15

Soft power
Hard power

Question 16

What is hard power?

Answer 16

Using military and direct political intervention to change or influence the behaviour of other countries

Question 17

What is soft power?

Answer 17

Influencing other countries using indirect techniques such as political persuasion and cultural influence

Question 18

What ways can a country use hard power?

Answer 18

Military action
Threat of trade restrictions (embargo’s)
Use of economic sanctions to damage a nations economy
Owning debt of other countries

Question 19

What ways can a country use soft power?

Answer 19

Attractive culture and lifestyle
Sought-after political advice
Foreign trade policies that encourage migration
Trade alliances
FDI

Question 20

Explain how Mackinders theory explains power changing over time?

Answer 20

The theory explains that geolocation helping countries exert hard power, this changed over time as smart and soft power are more prevalent

Question 21

Who has more power in Mackinders theory?

Answer 21

The heartland is very hard to invade because of physical barriers in the way. Eg Most of Russia

Question 22

What is Wallerstines world systems theory?

Answer 22

Two economic theories: core, periphery

Question 23

In Wallerstines what features do core countries have?

Answer 23

Core regions are economic powerhouses and control most of global trade such as trade agreements and trading currency

Question 24

What does Wallerstines theory explain?

Answer 24

Inequality in wealth and development. Shows how the core exploits the periphery (colonialism) and the periphery is forced to provide resources

Question 25

Give an example of Wallerstines theory

Answer 25

The British empires exploitation of India for natural resources

Question 26

What are the stages of Rostows modernisation theory?

Answer 26

Traditional society Pre conditions for take off Take off Drive to maturity High mass consumption

Question 27

Explain the traditional society stage (Rostow)

Answer 27

Subsidence Farming, Primary industry, Traditional Cultures and values

Question 28

Explain the pre conditions for takeoff (Rostows)

Answer 28

Construction of infrastructure, specialising or manufacturing industries

Question 29

Explain the takeoff stage (Rostow)

Answer 29

Industrialisation, investment, further construction

Question 30

Explain the drive to maturity (Rostows)

Answer 30

Adoption of global culture, increase in domestic quality of life

Question 31

Explain the high mass consumption stage (Rostows)

Answer 31

Throw-away society, advanced technology

Question 32

What is a unipolar world?

Answer 32

One country dominates e.g USA currently

Question 33

What is a Bi-polar world?

Answer 33

Where there are two main superpowers e.g USA and USSR cold war

Question 34

What is a multi-polar world?

Answer 34

Where there are several powers and emerging powers competing for power and global influence

Question 35

How did the British empire maintain power during the imperial era?

Answer 35

Railway lines to transport goods/army A strong navy Improved education in colonial states The English language was now the business language

Question 36

What are the negative impacts of colonial power?

Answer 36

Farmers and primary manufacturers were left with little to invest Many colonies didn’t have their own governments Large discrimination policies

Question 37

What is neo colonialism?

Answer 37

The exploitative relationship between more powerful developed countries who are using their relationship with less developed countries for their own benefit

Question 38

Why did countries colonise?

Answer 38

Empires exploited their colonies for commodities such as sugar, cotton and tea

Question 39

What has caused a multi-polar world?

Answer 39

Socialist economies collapsed in USSR and Eastern Europe China become capitalist Reform from communist Cuba

Question 40

What are the two groups of states?

Answer 40

BRICS G20

Question 41

What countries are part of the BRICS?

Answer 41

Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa

Question 42

What countries are part of the G20?

Answer 42

EU Turkey Indonesia South Korea Saudi Mexico

Question 43

What is a blue water navy?

Answer 43

Operates in open ocean all over the world

Question 44

What is a green water navy?

Answer 44

Operates close to the coast and protects the one country

Question 45

China strengths?

Answer 45

2nd largest GDP powerful manufacturing economy Growing military power and technology

Question 46

China weaknesses?

Answer 46

Ageing population Unwilling to engage with global problems Environmental problems

Question 47

India’s strengths?

Answer 47

Youthful population will become large working age population soon Global leader in IT technology

Question 48

India weaknesses?

Answer 48

Widespread poverty Poor energy and transport infrastructure Lack of water resources

Question 49

Brazil’s strengths?

Answer 49

Huge natural resources and farming potential Modern economic structure

Question 50

Brazil weaknesses?

Answer 50

Economy gas boom and bust cycles Limited military strength

Question 51

Russia strengths?

Answer 51

Very powerful, nuclear armed military Large oil and gas reserves

Question 52

Russia weaknesses?

Answer 52

Difficult relations with rest of world Ageing population

Question 53

Japan strengths?

Answer 53

3rd largest GDP Technologically advanced economy and global TNCs Culturally influential via technology eg gaming

Question 54

Japan weaknesses?

Answer 54

Ageing and decking population Very slow economic growth since 1990

Question 55

How do superpowers influence the global economy?

Answer 55

They do it through multiple IGOs that promote free trade and capitalism

Question 56

What is an IGO?

Answer 56

Inter-governmental organisation

Question 57

What is the combined GDP of the USA, EU and Japan?

Answer 57

60% of worlds GDP

Question 58

What features do superpowers have? (trade)

Answer 58

They are capitalist Promote free trade in goods and services across borders Private enterprise Promote wealth and creation by companies Put quotas on developing countries

Question 59

Explanation of world bank?

Answer 59

Created 1944 Lends to LEDCs to promote economic development Uses western capitalist model Money originates from MEDCs

Question 60

Explanation of IMF?

Answer 60

Created 1945 Promotes global economic stability Aids economies in opening up to world trade and investment AIDS countries in economic struggle

Question 61

Explanation of WTO?

Answer 61

Created 1995 Works to remove barriers to international trade Try’s to remove taxes, quotas and promotes free trade

Question 62

Explanation of WEF? (World economic forum)

Answer 62

Created 1971 Non profit org from Swiss Forum for discussions between businesses, politicians and IGOs It is pro trade and pro TNCs