superpowers Flashcards
(119 cards)
1
Q
What is the definition of a superpower?
A
A country with the ability to project its dominating power and influence anywhere in the world
-> through their economy, military and political influence
e.g USA
2
Q
What is the definition of an emerging power?
A
Countries that are potential superpowers of the future.
They hold significant economic power with growing political influence
e.g Brazil, India
3
Q
What is the definition of an regional power?
A
Can project dominating power over other countries within the continent they are
e.g UK, Germany, France in Europe
4
Q
What are the 6 superpower characteristics?
A
ECONOMIC
- Large GDP, high % of international trade
- Able to make money around the world through ownership of TNCs
POLITICAL
- Will hold significant influence in intergovernmental organisations
- Can influence how other countries behave and what policies they follow
MILITARY
- Military power with a global reach means they can achieve geopolitical goals
- Military is an important way of expanding influence over other countries
- Superpowers will spend a large proportion of their GDP on military
CULTURAL
- Superpower often have a specific ideaology that other countries may choose to follow
- May have significant influence over arts, food + fashion
DEMOGRAPHIC
- Having a larger population that is educated and healthy can lead to more power (soft)
- Creates larger labour force and army
RESOURCES
- Control of access to physical resources: energy + minerals
- Provides input for economic growth
- Means they can be exported at a higher price -> economic power
5
Q
What should a true superpower have?
A
All 6 characteristics of a superpower -> currenlty the USA is the only true superpower
6
Q
What is a hyperpower?
A
Dominates all 6 characteristics of a superpower and is completely unchallenged by other powers
E.g
Britain was a hyperpower between 1850-1910
The USA was a hyperpower between 1990-2010
7
Q
What is hard power?
A
using military and economic influence (trade deals, sanctions) to force a country to act in a particular way
8
Q
What are different elements of hard power?
A
Military force
-> involves the threat of action and the invasion of another country.
Economic sanctions
-> can take the form of trade restrictions, freezing of assets, arms embargoes and travel bans
-> they aims to limit opportunities for a country to act in a undesirable way
Over time hard power’s importance has decreased over time
9
Q
What is soft power?
A
Is the use of power through attractive policies or ideologies
10
Q
What are the elements of soft power?
A
- Soft power is seen through culture of one country spreading around the world in the form of films, music, television, social media and recognisable brands
- Spread and use of a common language
- International relations is a key element of soft power. Countries that can get on well with others are able to influence countries with appealing policies and cultural values
- Globalisation has contributed to the spread and growing importance of soft power in today’s world.
11
Q
How can soft and hard power be combined?
A
- Some strategies combine elements of hard and soft power
E.g
Some economic policies are examples of soft power as they involve no direct threat. However the nature of the trade agreements may control how a wishes to control to sell its good (may be forced to sell for lower which is hard power)
12
Q
Which is the most effective (hard or soft power)?
A
- Hard power can get results, but it is expensive and risky
- Others may view military action as unnecessary or illegal, so aggressor may lose allies
- Soft power relies on a country having respected culture + values
-> if applied well, is lost cost and is about creating alliances
13
Q
What is an example of hard power?
A
2003: invaded Iraq in the Second Gulf War when economic sanctions (softer power) failed to persuade President Hussein to change policy
14
Q
What is an example of soft power?
A
UK
- 5th largest economy - attractive market and source of TNC FDI
- City of London dominates international finance, banking and law
- Diplomacy - one of the largest network of diplomats and embassies in the world
15
Q
What is geostrategic theory?
A
The idea that controlling certain areas of land can make a country strategically stronger and have a greater influence over other nations
16
Q
How has use of hard power and soft power changed over time?
A
Hard power was important e.g control of natural resources, British Empire
- War and conflict now seem out of place, wheras they were seen as accepted ways of gaining power
- Soft power has become more COMMON as a way of gaining influence and maintaining power
17
Q
What is smart power?
A
involves the strategic use of diplomacy, persuasion and the projection of power and influences in ways that have political and social legitimacy
18
Q
What was Mackinder’s theory?
A
HEARTLAND THEORY
Identified the centre of Eurasia as a ‘heartland”
- the geographical position of this region means that is is centred on a large land mass and inland position that gives protection from attacks from sea
- also contains a large % of natural resources
Mackinder stated that whoever had power of the heartland would be a superpower
19
Q
Describe power in the Imperial Era (1500-1950) ?
A
European powers conquered land in the Americas, Africa and Asia and built empires
The development of empires relied on:
- powerful navies to transport soldiers + equipment
- large armies to conquer land
- business, often government owned, to exploit resources in conquered territories
Empires were maintained directly by force
20
Q
What are the 3 main patterns of power?
A
Unipolar world
Bipolar world
Multipolar world
21
Q
What is a unipolar world?
A
one globally dominant superpower
e.g British Empire
22
Q
What is a bipolar world?
A
A world were two superpowers that have different ideologies contest each others power and influence but equal in status
e.g
Cold War era (Russia vs US)
23
Q
What is a multi-polar world?
A
Where multiple superpowers and emerging powers are influencing other countries, often in the geographical region they are in.
24
Q
Is a unipolar world stable?
A
- some argue this is unstable as other powers are likely to challenge the dominant power
- however it can be dominate is the power has suffienect hard and soft power
25
Is a bi-polar world stable?
- if both powers are content to share control, it can be a stable system
- however if diplomacy breaks down it can lead to tense stand-offs e.g Cold War
26
Is a multi-polar world stable?
- this may appear more stable as there is a greater division of power
- as seen between the WW1 + WW2 it can lead to a power vacuum -> which lead to the rise in Nazi Germany
FUTURE
- some argue that there may a multi-polar world soon (USA, China, India, EU) having a major impact of geopolitical stability
27
What were the 4 categories for Dunn's Model of power?
1. Economic power
2. Military power
3. Cultural + ideologies
4. Geographical power
28
Who developed the World Systems theory?
Wallerstein in 1974
29
What is the Dependency Theory?
CORE
- provides the periphery with manufactured goods, aid, political ideas etc as well as pollution and waste
PERIPHERY
- provides the core with raw materials, cheap labour and debt repayments
Periphery can be exploited by core - which slows its development and furthers the core's development
Creates a dependency relationship between developed and developing countries
30
What is a criticism of the dependency theory?
- not all countries belong to periphery or core
31
What is the World Systems theory?
Expanded the Dependency theory to include the SEMI-PERIPHERY, which is made up of emerging economies
- semi-periphery is able to dominate the periphery but not the core
- semi-periphery also provide the core with resources and receive goods in exchange
-> this relates to underdevelopment., semi-periphery will stay poorer than the core
32
What is the Modernisation Theory?
Suggests that economic development only begins when certain pre-conditions are met:
- modern infrastructure
- education
- banking
- effective government
33
What are semi-periphery countries?
have organisational characteristics of both core countries and periphery countries and are often geographically located between the two
34
What was the Cold War?
a period of heightened tension + a series of proxy wars between the USSR + US
35
What were some of the causes of the Cold War?
A bi-polar world formed after the power-vaccum following the end of WW2
- conflicting ideologies between US (capitalist) + USSR (communist)
- US funded proxy wars in countries under threat from communism (e.g Greece)
- NATO was set up in 1949 - set up to prevent spread of communism
-> USSR set up the Warsaw Pact (China + Russia ) in response
36
What is a proxy war
a war fought between groups of smaller countries that each represent interests of larger powers
37
What proxy wars were fought during the Cold War?
AFGANISTAN
- wanted to turn communist + was funded by Russia
- US funded rebels (these went onto form the Taliban)
-> US left Afgan at end of the war causing a power vaccum + lead to 2001 war
VIETMAN
- US vs Vietnamse people
- Vietnam was communist
- was a show of hard power by US that failed when the US lost the war
38
What were the outcomes of the Cold War?
- increased nuclear weapon testing + development
-> each country trying to hold the most hard power
- a Moscow - Washington direct phone line was set up
- Cuban missle crisis
- space race - a show of soft power to prove who was most technologically advanced
-> lead to development of missiles (hard power)
39
How did the Cold War end?
ended in 1989
- when the USSR's economy failed
- smaller states where then created as countries gained independence
40
Why is China likely to rival the US in the future?
- huge human resources
- has 2nd largest GDP in the world
- increasingly engages with other parts of the world
-> growing global influence
-> invests in development in Africa
- has an increasing military force
41
Why is China not yet a major superpower?
- military has limited reach
-> only 1 overseas naval base
-> navy rarely leaves Indo-Pacific region
- approx 25% of China's population lie in poverty
- lack of democracy
- human rights abuses
- many in China do not have access to good healthcare, education or clean water
42
What is a TNC?
Transnational Corporation - companies that operate in more than one country
43
What is a NGO?
a non-profit organisation that operates independently of any government
- aims to address political or social issues
44
What is a sphere of influence?
a country of are in which another country has power to affect developments although has no formal authority
45
What are the 4 main emerging powers?
Brazil
Russia
India
China
46
What strengths + weaknesses does Brazil have as an emerging power?
STRENGTHS
- has large supplies of oil and biofuels
- large middle-class consumer market
WEAKNESS
- small military
- high levels of domestic inequality
47
What strengths + weaknesses does Russia have as an emerging power?
STRENGTHS
- strong military + nuclear weapons
- significant oil + gas supplies
- growing economic + political links to Asia
WEAKNESSES
- has ageing + declining population
- difficult geopolitical relationship with US + Europe
48
What strengths + weaknesses does India have as an emerging power?
STRENGTHS
- has young population with huge economic potential
- possess nuclear weapons
WEAKNESS
- high levels of urban + rural poverty
- poor transport infrastructure
49
What strengths + weaknesses does China have as an emerging power?
STRENGTHS
- growing military
- large + educated workforce
- investing in infrastructure
WEAKNESSES
- ageing population
- major water + air pollution
- reliant on importing raw materials
50
What is neocolonialism?
the use of economic, political and cultural power to gain and maintain indirect control over developing powers
(indirect control)
51
What is an example of neocolonialism ?
Neo- colonialism was used by western nations to exert influence + control over ex-colonies
- Tied aid - which meant that developing countries have to spend money on goods/services from the donor country
- Uneven trade where the countries are paid little for their resources
52
What is an IGO
Intergovernmental organisation
- trade blocs
- WTO
53
What is the World Bank?
set up in 1944
- lends money to developing and emerging economies to promote economic development
- money originates from developed economies
- loans money so developing nations can export more goods to the global market
54
What is the IMF?
set up in 1945
- promotes global economic stability
- aids economies in opening up world trade + investment
- comes to aid of countries in economic difficulty
- distribute loans
55
What is the World Trade Organisations?
set up in 1995
- works to remove barriers to international trade
- has negotiated a sequence of global free trade agreements that gradually remove trade taxes
56
What is cultural influence?
an important aspect of power, linked to economic influence and the development and spread of new technology
57
How is westernisation a form of cultural influence?
TNCs create global brands that become known worldwide
- most TNCs come from the US and promote western culture around the world
This can be seen in:
- changes in dress and food choice in Asia + South America
58
How can TNCs influence the global economic system?
- Their size means they can dominate the market of some goods
- The expansion of free market capitalism has opened new markets to TNCs - allows them to expand on a greater scale
- TNCs account for 80% of global trade
Majority of large TNCs are based in the West - hold more economic power
59
What is a patent?
the granting of the exclusive right of ownership and possession of intellectual property by a state to an inventor for a fixed period of time
- anyone wishing to use the designs must pay a royalty
60
What are Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)?
Set out by the WTO
- requires all WTO members to protect + enforce their intellectual property rights (e.g register + enforce patents)
61
Who do TRIPS favour?
TNCs
- allows TNCs to justify the cost they put into innovation + research of new items
- encourages them to continue innovating
62
What are the issues with patents - Drugs?
- patents developed by pharmaceutical companies make medicines unaffordable to poor countries e.g new treatments for HIV
- this creates a treatment barrier to those in LICs
However there are known ways around these as patents were removed for the critical Covid vaccine when it was affecting HICs
63
What are the issues with patents - GM Crops?
GM Crops are controlled by TNCs, however can bring great benefits such as higher yields + the ability to tackle diseases in a region
- using patent laws, TNCs 'own' every GM plant grown from their seed
- Some TNCs force farmers to sign contracts to only use their chemicals, or prevnt them from reusing seeds for the next year
-> makes farmer's reliant on them
TNCs benefit the most
64
How do superpowers help in times of crisis?
- intervene in war + conflict - especially when internal conflicts threaten to spill into neighbouring countries
- take action in terms of crisis response e.g natural disasters, famine
- respond to terrorism e.g threat from ISIS or Al-Qaeda
- response to longer-term threats such as climate change
The US often acts in this way as the 'global police'
- this is a large responsibility + a large economic cost
65
What is an example of the EU + US showing global action in conflict?
2011 Libya Crisis
- EU, led by France + UK, took military action against Gaddafi regime, with help of US
66
What is an example of the US showing global action in conflict?
War on Terror
- since 2001, the US has led a global effort against Islamic terrorism in Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, East Africa + the Middle East
67
What is an example of the US showing global action in natural distaters?
2010 Haitian Earthquake
7.0 magnitude earthquake
- US was main aid benefactors, other countries got aid fatigue
- however high levels of corruption + poverty + gang violence have slowed aid efforts still now
68
Why was there military action in Afghanistan?
The US went into Afghanistan in 2001 to remove the Taliban + remove Bin Laden
- once he was killed, the US trained the Afghan army + reconstructed the area
-> however during this time the Taliban were gaining support in the countryside + the US losing it after a series of air strikes hit civilans
US withdrew from Afghan in 2021, Taliban quickly retook power
69
How do neighbouring countries feel about Afghanisatn?
INDIA fears destabilisation from Islamic groups in Pakistan + Afghanistan
RUSSIA, UZBECKISTAN, TURKMENISTAN + TAJJKINSTAN - fear Islamic uprisings within their own borders
CHINA - less corncered about Afghan
IRAN - opposes the western government + backs Afghanisatn
70
What is a military alliance?
treaties which involve mutual defence
71
How do broad military alliances aid the US?
Broad military alliances with many countries
- allow the US to position powerful air and naval assets around the world - they have a global reach
72
What is NATO?
Has 30 member states - world's largest alliance in terms of military power
-> 3/5 permanent members of the UN Security council are in NATO
- if one member is attacked, all NATO members will take actions to defend it.
73
What is the ANZUS treaty?
A military alliance between Australia, New Zealand + the USA.
Aim of the treaty is to keep the Pacific region safe + that they will act as a collected defence is any of the countries are attacked
74
What are economic alliances?
When superpowers are tied by economic alliances - achieved by free-trade agreements, which allow for tarriff-free trade
75
What is AUKUS?
New alliance formed after Brexit
Australia, UK, US
- UK are forming military alliances with countries outside Europe
- UK + Australian officers can command each other boats as equipment is interchangeable
GIVES WESTERN POWERS MORE PRESENCE IN SOUTH EAST REGION
76
What is ASEAN?
Economic alliance
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
- free trade area with 10 members
- had agreed to work towards a single market however this has not happened
77
How is the European Union an alliance?
A single market trade bloc composed of 28 countries
- guarantees the free movement of goods, capital + people
- has a single currency
- has integrated economic policy areas
78
What is the UN, why was it set up?
United Nations was set up in 1945, part of an attempt to create a new world order of peace and stability
79
What is the UN Security Council?
Makes decisions on issues:
- whether military action is needed against countries seen to be breaking international law or persecuting people
- applying economic or diplomatic sanctions to countries -> to try and change their behaviour
80
Who are the Security Coucil's 5 permanent members?
USA, France, UK, Russia + China
- The US, UK and France tend to vote together giving the West a 3:2 advantage
These 5 members can veto any resolution
81
What is the International Court of Justice (UN) ?
Upholds international law
- has a western framework
- has 15 judges - who represent different global regions -> 5 are permanent
The court only deals with cases brought by individual countries, rather than individuals
82
What was the 2015 Paris Agreement?
Countries agreed to continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- keep any rise in global temperatures below a 2 degree increase
- 196 parties signed the agreement
83
What are peacekeepers?
Peacekeeping missions can be set up by the UN - sources armed forces from member states
- have been successful at preventing conflicts
84
What is the IPCC?
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
- organisation responsible for producing regular scientific assessments on climate change, its impacts + how to mitigate
85
What is the problem with climate agreements such as Paris Agreement?
- Not legally binding
- Climate change has become a political tool in countries
-> Trump withdrew from the agreements as soon as he took office
86
Why is having control of natural resources important?
Having control of natural resources is crucial if a country wants to gain superpower status
Disputes may occur
- if the resources are transboundary resources
- are in areas of territorial disputes
87
What is an Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ)?
is the marine area 200 nautical miles off the coastline of any country and is included in the territory of that country
87
When can disputes occur between countries related to EEZs?
- if countries EEZs overlap and they can't reach an agreement on how to share the area
- if multiple countries show an intrest in unclaimed territory
87
Why is the Artic expected to be the next area to exploited? (resources)
There are reserves of oil and natural gas in the Artic Cycle -> these are beyond the EEZ of Canada, USA, Russia etc
- and unlike the Antarctica is not protected from resource exploitation
87
What countries have made territorial claims in the Artic?
Russia
Canada
Greenland (Denmark)
Norway
USA
88
Why do both Russia and China have interests in the Artic circle?
Russia have developed a Northern Sea Development plan
- aims to create a sea route through the Artic sea between China, Russia + Europe (faster than through Suez canal + Russia would have greater control)
89
What is the proposed Northern Sea Development plan? (resources)
Aims to create northern sea route through Artic Sea
- Russia have installed military bases here
- Investment in 40 new ice ships - which can move through ice
- creation of 500km of train lines tpo link up new ports
Sea route only developed due to melting ice due to climate change
90
Why is demand for resources increasing in emerging countries?
- increasing population
- increasing wealth -> an emerging middle class
- undergoing rapid urbanisation and industrialisation
-> results in environmental degradation
91
How does an emerging middle class impact resource demand?
As the emerging middle class get richer, the demand for luxuries increases
-> e.g they consume more
manufactured goods than
lower class groups
Changes in diet lead to a greater demand on staple grains e.g wheat + rice
Growing demand for water as population grows
92
What natural resources do superpowers have a high demand for?
WATER needed for human consumption, industry
ENERGY used to power homes + business + transport
MINERALS provide manufacturing + construction with raw materials
LAND used to build + food production
93
Why do superpowers have such a high demand for natural resources?
- large populations
- have economies based of industries that consume high amounts of raw materials
- likely to be hubs of trade and transport that have high energy demands
CONSUMERISM
94
Why are high levels of consumption causing local and global environmental issues?
- natural areas of land are degraded
- ecological sensitive areas of land are exploited for unconventional sources of energy
- poor water quality from inefficient farming practices
95
Why are superpowers still the largest producers of fossil fuels?
- high levels of consumerism
- economies are reliant on fossil fuels
96
How have the EU tackled carbon emissions?
Kyoto Protocol
Set out environmental laws about:
- acceptable levels of pollution
- how intensely land can be used to grow food
- water sources ate strictly regulated
97
What is the Kyoto Protocol?
(environmental)
aims to reduce emissions from industrialised countries by setting a carbon emissions reduction target
98
Why did the annexation of Crimea occur?
Ukraine tried to join EU in 2013 - Russia invaded in 2014 (Putin lost political influence)
Gave Russia access to a warm water port
99
What is intellectual property?
the design of a product
100
What is the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)?
Operated by the UN
- regulates intellectual property + enables creators to protect their work -> INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
101
What are intellectual property rights?
Prevent ideas or designs being used by another person or company in order to profit it from it
If a company wishes to use the intellectual property of another they must pay a royalty fee
102
What is a sphere of influence?
the claim by a state to exclusive or predominant control over a country or territory
103
How is a rise in counterfeited goods in China creating tensions?
- TNCs and companies are losing millions each year from conterfeited goods
- conterfeited good are often usafe and put customers at risk
- TNCs may limit investment in China is they fear IP theft
- strains trade agreements
104
SOUTH CHINA SEA
See mindmap
105
What is an example of economic ties developing between emerging powers and the developing world?
Growing relationship between China + Africa
(linked with Belt + Road project)
106
How are the ties between Africa + China benefitted both of them?
China increasingly depends on Africa's raw materials
Africa relies on investment from China (for HEP, railway, ports, roads etc)
-> this focus brings jobs and raises income in African countries
It is increasing interdependence
107
What are the challenges presented by the economic tie between Africa + China?
- many jobs are done by Chinese migrant workers
- mining + oil extraction is causing deforestation + water pollution
- Chinese imported goods have undercut local African producers
108
Why may there be political tension between China + India in the future?
- they have rivaling ideologies - communist dictatorship vs democracy
- China has formed a strong alliance with Pakistan but India and Pakistan have a tense relationship
- have recently become rivals in outer space with both having advanced space programmes
109
Why is the Middle East an area of tension?
- Most MUSLIM countries are hostile to the JEWISH state of Israel -> who is a key ally of US
- Religious differneces between SUNNI (Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey) and SHIA (Iran, Iraq, Lebanon) is a source of conflict
- Rise of ISLAMIC STATE in Iraq + Syria has created wars, terrorism + a refuge crisis
Very unstable region
-> Russia support Iran, US + EU lean towards Saudi Arabia
110
What was the Arab Spring (tensions in Middle East)?
A string of uprisings in the Middle East + North Africa between 2011-12
Uprisings have been about:
- economic decline
- corruption
- desire for stronger democratic rights
111
What is viewed as causing reason of most tension in the Middle East?
The complexity in the region can be dated back to agreements after the World Wars when the region was divided into new states
-> religion/ ethnic groups were not taken into consideration
112
Why is the Middle East economically important?
Much of Europe + the US's involvement in the Middle East is connected to the oil reserves found there
Middle East hold 48% of world's oil
-> peace + stabilty have a direct impact on stability of oil trade
113
What is the New Development Bank?
Set up by BRIC countries
- provides loans and funds infrastructure projects (Chinese construction companies take on the work)
China is using NDB to advance its economic intrests
114
What economic problems may superpowers face?
STRUCTUAL UNEMPLOYMENT
- loss of manufacturing jobs to emerging economies
ECONOMIC RESTRUCTRING
- global shift has caused deindustrialisation in the EU
AGING + CARE
- rising life expectancy puts more pressure on social services
THESE PARTICULARLY AFFECT USA + EU
115
What are the large economic costs associated with superpowers?
- defence
- intelligence services
- social security
- transport
- medicare
Large amounts of superpowers GDP is spent on defence - this can be questioned when 13% of Americans live in poverty
116
What are the 3 possible future outcomes of superpowers?
1. Unipolar - USA remains the single domaint power
2. Bi-polar - China draws level with US
3. Multi-polar - USA and EU decline relative to increasingly powerful BRICS
