Superpowers

Question 1

Why is defence spending crucial for superpower status?

Answer 1

Enables hard power, territorial control.

Question 2

How does military power contribute to a multi-polar world?

Answer 2

Increased military power challenges USA/EU.

Question 3

How does China’s economic growth affect global power?

Answer 3

Boosts infrastructure, military spending, hard power.

Question 4

How does China’s military expansion impact global power?

Answer 4

China builds aircraft carriers, expands military.

Question 5

How does the decline of former powers impact global influence?

Answer 5

Emerging powers challenge for global leadership.

Question 6

What effect does rising middle-class consumption have on resources?

Answer 6

Higher demand depletes resources, causes conflicts.

Question 7

How does increased vehicle use impact fossil fuel demand?

Answer 7

Greater demand drives up fossil fuel prices.

Question 8

How does rising disposable income affect energy consumption?

Answer 8

More appliances lead to higher energy use.

Question 9

What is the environmental impact of growing middle-class consumption?

Answer 9

Increased energy use, higher emissions.

Question 10

How does competition for resources affect nations?

Answer 10

Leads to territorial conflicts and resource searches.

Question 11

How does rising demand for water impact nations?

Answer 11

Desalination increases, driving energy demand.

Question 12

Why do countries join economic alliances?

Answer 12

Strengthens trade, interdependence, and economy.

Question 13

How do economic alliances impact national economies?

Answer 13

Boost trade, eliminate trade barriers.

Question 14

What is the benefit of integrated currencies in economic alliances?

Answer 14

Stabilizes trade, reduces exchange costs.

Question 15

How does FDI contribute to emerging powers’ global influence?

Answer 15

FDI boosts infrastructure, military, and power.

Question 16

What are the political and environmental challenges caused by superpowers’ resource demands?

Answer 16

Resource extraction causes pollution, territorial conflicts, and political tensions.

Question 17

What is the role of TNCs in securing resources for superpowers?

Answer 17

TNCs control global resources, influencing politics and economies.

Question 18

How does China’s military spending compare to other emerging powers?

Answer 18

China’s military spending: $261 billion (2019), far higher than BRIC rivals.

Question 19

How do superpowers legitimize power through economic growth?

Answer 19

Governments must maintain growth to avoid internal political challenges.

Question 20

How does the US protect its resource interests globally?

Answer 20

US uses military presence in the Middle East and Pacific.

Question 21

What is the environmental cost of economic growth in China?

Answer 21

High car ownership increases pollution, leading to environmental harm.

Question 22

How does Russia assert its geopolitical power over resources?

Answer 22

Russia’s $61 billion military spending and resource base boost influence.

Question 23

How does global demand for resources lead to international tensions?

Answer 23

Disputes over territory and resources, e.g., South China Sea, Arctic.

Question 24

How do TNCs contribute to environmental degradation and political tensions?

Answer 24

TNCs extract resources, causing environmental damage and local conflict.

Question 25

How has fracking affected political legitimacy in the US?

Answer 25

Fracking leads to water pollution and local political challenges.

Question 26

What is the impact of India’s massive population on resource demand?

Answer 26

India’s 1.4 billion people increase demand for food, water, and energy.

Question 27

How does China’s soft power affect its geopolitical influence?

Answer 27

Chinese media and cultural exports enhance global influence.

Question 28

What is the significance of oil in US foreign policy?

Answer 28

US seeks oil security through military intervention in regions like Iraq.

Question 29

How does China's growing navy affect international resource access?

Answer 29

China's expanding navy aims to secure resources in the Pacific.

Question 30

How did Russia’s annexation of Crimea affect global tensions?

Answer 30

Crimea’s annexation worsened EU relations and increased energy disputes.

Question 31

How does the US’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement affect global leadership?

Answer 31

China claims leadership on climate change after US withdrawal.

Question 32

What impact does Brazilian economic decline have on global resource politics?

Answer 32

Brazil’s shrinking economy reduces its influence on resource extraction.

Question 33

How do TNCs like Aramco and Gazprom support superpower geopolitics?

Answer 33

State-led TNCs, like Aramco, exert power through resource control.

Question 34

What is the economic significance of TNCs to superpowers?

Answer 34

TNCs drive economic growth, but also contribute to inequality and restructuring.

Question 35

How does China’s investment in Africa increase geopolitical tensions?

Answer 35

Chinese investments in African resources cause competition with Western powers.

Question 36

How does the UK’s decision to leave the EU affect TNCs?

Answer 36

Brexit forces TNCs to relocate European headquarters, affecting trade and influence.

Question 37

What role do TNCs play in international resource conflicts?

Answer 37

TNCs mediate access to resources, sometimes causing political and social unrest.

Question 38

How has global resource demand contributed to the political rise of emerging powers?

Answer 38

Resource-rich countries like China and Russia gain global influence through extraction.

Question 39

How does superpowers’ competition over resources lead to military escalation?

Answer 39

Military presence in resource-rich areas, e.g., US bases, China’s navy.

Question 40

How do TNCs drive infrastructure development in emerging countries?

Answer 40

TNCs invest in infrastructure (ports, airports), benefiting trade and regional power.

Question 41

How does China’s role in resource extraction in Africa affect global politics?

Answer 41

China’s investments in Africa lead to geopolitical tensions with Western countries.

Question 42

What environmental issues arise from the extraction of oil and gas?

Answer 42

Fracking, deep-water drilling, and oil shale exploitation damage ecosystems.

Question 43

What role do TNCs like Disney and Coca-Cola play in cultural diplomacy?

Answer 43

Cultural exports (films, brands) increase soft power globally.

Question 44

How do environmental concerns influence political debates during economic booms?

Answer 44

During booms, environmental issues often gain more public attention.

Question 45

What effect does resource demand have on local political stability?

Answer 45

Resource extraction causes local unrest, e.g., Nigeria, Ecuador, or Angola.

Question 46

What kind of power includes military force, economic sanctions, and coercive diplomacy?

Answer 46

Hard power.

Question 47

Which country consistently spends most on military power globally?

Answer 47

United States.

Question 48

Why is hard power crucial for global resource protection?

Answer 48

Ensures trade route security.

Question 49

How does China use military to claim regional dominance?

Answer 49

Nine-Dash Line strategy.

Question 50

What demonstrates Russia's belief in hard power?

Answer 50

Increased military spending since 2000.

Question 51

How does military dominance help project global power?

Answer 51

Enables global interventions.

Question 52

Which superpower uses alliances like NATO to project strength?

Answer 52

United States.

Question 53

Which type of power involves manipulation of other governments?

Answer 53

Sharp power.

Question 54

Besides hard power, what strengths support China’s rise?

Answer 54

Educated population, economic growth.

Question 55

What cultural factors help maintain U.S. influence?

Answer 55

Media, TNCs, English language.

Question 56

What balance of powers did Joseph Nye promote?

Answer 56

Smart power.

Question 57

What causes international tension over resources?

Answer 57

Rising global competition.

Question 58

Why are emerging powers increasingly interdependent?

Answer 58

Resource needs exceed national supply.

Question 59

How do TNCs create political sensitivity abroad?

Answer 59

Deals with unpopular governments.

Question 60

How did Russia assert control over resources?

Answer 60

Crimea invasion.

Question 61

What region shows overlapping influence tensions?

Answer 61

South China Sea.

Question 62

What role does China play in Africa?

Answer 62

Resource extraction, investment.

Question 63

What domestic issue affects Canada's politics?

Answer 63

Tar Sands extraction.

Question 64

Why is energy security a political issue?

Answer 64

Affects national stability.

Question 65

How are internal and external politics linked in emerging powers?

Answer 65

Growth depends on resources.

Question 66

What was hard power's historic role in empires?

Answer 66

Military conquest, territorial control.

Question 67

Why did British Empire’s hard power decline?

Answer 67

Colonies demanded independence.

Question 68

Which two countries defined the Cold War?

Answer 68

USA and USSR.

Question 69

What weakened the Soviet Union’s power?

Answer 69

Economic reform and openness.

Question 70

How does China use hard power today?

Answer 70

Blue Water Navy.

Question 71

Why might hard power backfire internationally?

Answer 71

Seen as illegal aggression.

Question 72

What shows USA’s reliance on hard power?

Answer 72

Highest military spending.

Question 73

Which soft power tool aids U.S. influence?

Answer 73

Cultural exports.

Question 74

What is the main risk of hard power?

Answer 74

Costly, may lose allies.

Question 75

By how much did Russia increase military spending from 2000 to 2017?

Answer 75

Increased 7× between 2000–2017.

Question 76

How much less did China spend on military than the USA in 2017?

Answer 76

China spent 3× less.

Question 77

How much did the USA spend on military relative to all major powers in 2017?

Answer 77

Over 50% of total spending.

Question 78

How much oil is in the South China Sea?

Answer 78

11 billion barrels.

Question 79

How much natural gas is in the South China Sea?

Answer 79

190 trillion cubic feet.

Question 80

When did Russia annex Crimea?

Answer 80

In 2014.

Question 81

How does China’s military spending compare to the USA's?

Answer 81

3× less (2017).

Question 82

How much of China's oil imports pass through the South China Sea?

Answer 82

82%.

Question 83

What share of military spending does the USA hold?

Answer 83

Over 50% (2017).

Question 84

Which African country became China’s top oil supplier in 2016?

Answer 84

Angola.

Question 85

What resource strategy links China and Nigeria?

Answer 85

Investment in oil through TNCs.

Question 86

When did Russia invade and annex Crimea?

Answer 86

In 2014.

Question 87

Where does Canada rank in global oil reserves?

Answer 87

Third-largest.

Question 88

How many fracking licenses were issued in the UK by 2015?

Answer 88

Over 100.

Question 89

How much oil is estimated to lie in the Arctic?

Answer 89

90 billion barrels.