Superpowers

Question 1

What are the 5 main pillars of Superpower Status

Answer 1

• Cultural
• Political
• Resources
• Military
• Economic

Question 2

What is a regional power with 2 examples

Answer 2

A country that is dominant for their region but not a superpower on the world stage, like Brazil or South Africa

Question 3

What are the three types of ‘powers’ that countries use to exert influence

Answer 3

• Hard Power: Power through force or coercion, including military action and economic sanctions
• Soft Power: Power through favour or persuasion, such as cultural influence and diplomacy
• Smart Power: A combination of hard and soft power

Question 4

Provide an example of a country that invests more into soft power and one that invests more into hard power

Answer 4

Soft Power: UK - Uses its historical connections and cultural impact to increase its global presence

Hard Power: 2025 USA - Uses military threats to get what they want, such as against Greenland and Iran, as well as threatening tariffs

Question 5

What is (with an example):

• A unipolar world
• A bipolar world
• A multi-polar world

Answer 5

Unipolar: A world dominated by one superpower (Pax Britannica or USA post-Cold War)

Bipolar: A world with two opposing superpowers (Cold War)

Multi-polar: A world with no defined superpower and lots of competing countries (eg. between WW1 - WW2)

Question 6

What is Mackinder’s Heartland theory

Answer 6

A 1904 theory that whoever controlled Eurasia would control the world due to its large size, population, natural resources and impenetrability

Question 7

What political/military strategy was inspired by Mackinder’s Heartland Theory

Answer 7

Containment

Question 8

Why is Mackinder’s Heartland Theory no longer relevant

Answer 8

The heartland is now more ‘penetrable’ due to a rise in transport infrastructure, the melting of the Arctic and the development of warfare technology like fighter jets and missiles which ignore physical barriers like deserts or mountains

Question 9

What is a ‘rogue state’ with 2 examples

Answer 9

A country that does not accept the dominant position of a superpower and resist their dominance like Iran or North Korea

Question 10

What is neocolonialism

Answer 10

The use of economic, political or cultural means to expand influence in another country, giving the superpower more political influence over them

Question 11

How did the USA and USSR use neocolonialism in the cold war

Answer 11

They propped up corrupt and violent regimes in places like Zaire (USA) and Ethiopia (USSR) with economic and military support in order to gain ideological influence

Question 12

What is political neocolonialism with an example

Answer 12

Using advice or influence to affect political decisions of a country, eg the Commonwealth Office which advises former British colonies on how to develop

Question 13

What are examples of economic mechanisms of neocolonialism (2)

Answer 13

Many international organisations like the World Bank or IMF (which give out SAPs) enforce western economic ideology upin countries

TNCs also sometimes only invest in echange for relaxing trade with the superpower nation they’re from

Question 14

What are military mechanisms of neocolonialism

Answer 14

Selling weaponry to support countries’ governments in exchange for their political support

Question 15

What is cultural neocolonialism

Answer 15

Exporting the culture of a superpower country to other countries, through TNC products, sports or media to create a stronger sense of alliance

Question 16

Describe Chinese investment in Africa with 3 benefits and drawbacks

Answer 16

China has invested lots into African development projects, and in September 2024 pledged $51 billion of investment into Africa from 2024-2027 which will create 1 million jobs. Around 1/3 of this is in the mining industry which China hopes will secure raw materials for Chinese industry, as well as giving them influnce over African countries

Benefits for Africa:
- Creation of millions of new jobs (1.1 million from 2021-24) and provides key skills and technology to Africa
- Increases trade via China developing ports
- Chinese investment is no strings attached making it more popular than SAPs for many

Drawbacks for Africa:
- Risks becoming dependent on China for trade and supply of services
- Many investments are top down and does not benefit the regular citizen
- Excessive environmental degradation in some projects

Question 17

Why did China choose Africa to invest in

Answer 17

• Africa is resource rich, having 90% of platinum and cobalt and 75% of coltan in the world
• It has a rapidly growing population and therefore market
• African countries are historically more politically neutral and therefore can be influenced easier than more Western countries

Question 18

3 examples of Chinese megaprojects in Africa

Answer 18

$13.8 billion into Kenyan railways
$2.65 billion into DRC Copper
$2.8 billion into Angolan HEP

Question 19

What is hegemony

Answer 19

The dominance of one country over others

Question 20

Give an example of a country that economists unsuccessfully predicted could be the next superpower

Answer 20

Japan - A combination of an ageing population and a property bubble burst in the 1990s meant their rapid economic growth, which was expected to continue, suddenly stalled and their GDP in 2024 was below that of 1993

Question 21

What is BRICS

Answer 21

A group comprising 10 countries which aims to increase geopolitical cooperation

Brazil, Russia, India, China (2009)
South Africa (2010)
Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, UAE (2024)
Indonesia (2025)

These countries are noted for having generally fast growing and stable economies

Question 22

What is the G20

Answer 22

A group of 19 countries with large economies as well as the EU, which account for 85% of global GDP and trade

Question 23

Describe the 1960 Modernisation Theory / Rostow’s Model

Answer 23

• Developed using the UK and USA’s pattern of development

Argues that countries follow a linear model of development, assuming that enough investment will catalyse rapid economic growth until a country reaches post-consumerism and economic maturity

This capitalist model promotes the use of TNC investment in developing countries as a ‘stimulus for takeoff’

However the theory is quite one-dimensional and assumes all countries following the same development pattern

Question 24

Describe the 1971 Dependency Theory

Answer 24

Argues that TNC investment in developing countries leads to exploitation of people and resources, causing the core countries to benefit while keeping the ‘periphery’ countries poor and dependent on the ‘core’ countries

The marxist theory fails to account for changing patterns of power and the rise of previously developing countries like China

Question 25

Describe the 1976 World Systems Theory

Answer 25

Developed using the Dependency Theory as a model and is therefore also marxist Believes in the existence of core and periphery countries like the Dependency theory (as well as semi-periphery countries), but argues that periods of economic booms or recessions create an environment which can cause core countries to decline and periphery countries to develop over long periods of time, making it more flexible A criticism is it describes what happens, while not really explaining why

Question 26

What is the: - WTO - IMF - World Bank - WEF

Answer 26

- WTO: Brokers agreements which encourage free trade and reducing protectionism - IMF: Provides loans via SAPs to promote economic stability in developing countries - World Bank: Provides loans to help countries develop using SAPs - WEF: A Swiss non-profit organisation which holds meetings between businessmen and political figures to promote globalisation and free trade

Question 27

How do SAPs help maintain the superpower status of the USA

Answer 27

The loans provided are in exchange for the recipient country opening borders for trade and therefore SAPs enforce a neoliberalist ideology which aligns with the USA

Question 28

Which 5 countries are home to 360 of the Fortune 500 companies showing how superpowers often have TNCs promoting them economically and culturally

Answer 28

USA, China, Japan, Germany, France

Question 29

What % of Global Trade is TNCs responsible for and what number does that equate to

Answer 29

80%, or $27 trillion

Question 30

How do copyrights, trademarks and patents help developed countries

Answer 30

Intellectual Property is protected by copyright (media), trademarks (brands) and patents (products) Anyone wishing to use any of these has to pay a royalty fee to the original creator As western culture is the most spread worldwide, Western countries especially the USA benefit most from copyright and trademarks Patents are mostly registered by developed countries which have the money to invest in new products, although China is rising fast in new patents

Question 31

Give 2 examples of American exports being outcompeted

Answer 31

American Food - Struggles to adapt to different diets, such as in Israel where kosher is popular. KFC has had 3 failed attempts to open in Israel and closed 40% of its remaining Israeli branches in March 2025 American Sports - Some US sports such as Baseball and American Football have not gained global traction (although some like basketball have)

Question 32

Name 3 brands that spread Western Culture

Answer 32

Apple, MacDonalds, Disney

Question 33

What is the main organisation that plays a role in international decision making and what are 3 examples of their branches which helps decision making

Answer 33

The UN - International Court of Justice (International Law) - UNFCCC (owns the IPCC, Climate Change Agreements) - UN Security Council (Peacekeeping with military intervention or economic sanctions)

Question 34

What is the structure of the UN Security Council

Answer 34

5 permanent members with veto power (USA, UK, France, China, Russia) 10 rotating members who switch every 10 years, evenly distributed around the world To make a decision, 9 out of 15 members must agree, including all 5 permanent members

Question 35

Why does the UN Security Council often fail to pass actions

Answer 35

The USA, France and UK tend to agree with each other, while Russia and China take the opposite side, leading to deadlock

Question 36

What 3 ways do countries intervene militarily

Answer 36

- With the UN Security Council - With allied countries outside the UN remit - Unilaterally

Question 37

Give an example of US military intervention through the UN, with other countries and alone

Answer 37

With the UN - Libya 2011 With others - Iraq 2003 (with UK) Without any permission - Missiles against Syria 2017

Question 38

What fraction of greenhouse gas emissions are emitted by the top 10 emitters (China, USA, India, EU, Russia, Japan, Brazil, Indonesia, Iran, Canada)

Answer 38

2/3, and China alone accounts for 1/4

Question 39

Why do superpowers emit so much greenhouse gases comparatively to other countries

Answer 39

They generally need more energy to sustain a large population, industry and military which leads to more fossil fuels being burned

Question 40

How committed are the following at reducing their emissions? - USA - China - EU - Russia

Answer 40

- USA: With the presidency of Trump, no measures are being taken to reduce emissions and he ahs promoted fossil fuels - China: Has pledged to invest in green energy, investing $940 billion into clean energy in 2024. Aims to hit peak emissions before 2030 - EU: Invested 10x more in clean energy than fossil fuels in 2023, aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 - Russia: Although ratifying the Paris Agreement, reduced focus on fighting global warming after the start of the Ukraine War, as it has invested more into industry and military and has suspended climate agreements with the West. In 2022, Russia used 86% fossil fuels

Question 41

Give a statistic showing the rise of the middle class in the 21st century

Answer 41

The middle class is growing at a rate of around 115 million per year

Question 42

How does the rise of the middle class place pressure on: - Food - Water - Energy

Answer 42

Food: A rise in the middle class creates greater demand for meat, which reduces crop numbers and could cause crop prices to rise which affects the poorest Water: A greater demand for water for domestic use increases the risk of water scarcity in areas like India, which could be 60% water scarce by 2030 Energy: Fossil fuel demand is expected to rise by 30% from 2015 to 2030, which could cause supply shortages and price rises

Question 43

What 2 changes in the Arctic are increasing interest in the region

Answer 43

Melting of ice uncovers more fossil fuels - 25% of undiscovered oil and gas in the Arctic Melting of ice opens new ship passages for trading such as the 'Northeast Passage' over the top of Russia which makes trade from Europe to East Asia far cheaper and quicker

Question 44

How have the main 4 Arctic players increased their presence in the region

Answer 44

Canada - Invested over $6.4 billion in the Arctic's military in March 2025 USA - Threatening annexation of Greenland with military force, planned development of deepwater port at Nome, Alaska, to facilitate arctic naval fleet Denmark - Invested $1.5 billion into defence of Greenland in 2024 Russia - Developed and reopened many military bases, totally 32 in use bases in the Arctic

Question 45

How many days less would shipping from Murmansk to Taiwan take using the Northeast Passage compared to the Suez Canal

Answer 45

10 days

Question 46

How many nautical miles around a country's land is within their EEZ and why is this significant to the Arctic

Answer 46

200 miles In the Arctic, many countries use underground landmasses (like Russia with the Lomonosov Ridge) to extend their claims creating disputed territory

Question 47

What % of counterfeits are Chinese and what does this mean for China and other countries

Answer 47

80% of global counterfeits are Chinese These are bad for the rest of the world as counterfeiting cost the G20 It is bad for China as fear of counterfeiting their intellectual property reduces investment from TNCs, however counterfeiting makes up 8% of Chinese GDP

Question 48

Which UN convention delineates the area over which a state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources and what is this offshore area called

Answer 48

UNCLOS, the area is called an EEZ

Question 49

Describe the conflict over the Senkaku Islands

Answer 49

A group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, claimed by both Japan, Taiwan and China for their rich fishing grounds and oil reserves. Currently, it is administered by Japan. This has not led to conflict further than tensions, due to the US support of Japan's control deterring China or Taiwan from taking the islands

Question 50

Describe the conflict over the Paracel Islands

Answer 50

Claimed by both Vietnam and China, who are similarly close to the islands (and Taiwan). The archipelago was split between the two, but following conflict in 1974, China took over and controlled all the archipelago, to access local waters for fish and oil

Question 51

Describe the conflict over the Spratly Islands

Answer 51

Claimed by Vietnam, Taiwan, China, Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei for its location in shipping lanes, oil/gas and fish It is mostly controlled by Vietnam and the Philippines with Malaysia and Taiwan having an island each

Question 52

What and when was the Sykes-Picot agreement

Answer 52

A 1916 agreement between France and the UK partitioning the Ottoman Empire's territory with straight line borders which largely ignored ethnic boundaries and therefore has led to tensions upon the independence of these countries

Question 53

Describe the complication of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Answer 53

When granting independence to Middle-Eastern countries after WW2, Britain gave Israel full sovereignty and none to Palestine, due to both having the same 'holy land' of Jerusalem. This has led to numerous conflicts between Israel and Palestine, often involving other Arab states helping Palestine and the USA helping Israel

Question 54

What are the Arab Springs

Answer 54

A series of pro-democracy protests that emerged in Arab countries in the early 2010s. While Tunisia's was successful, encouraging other countries to, it has led to political instability and civil war in countries like Syria and Yemen

Question 55

What ethnic tensions have arisen in the middle east beyond Israel/Palestine 2 examples

Answer 55

Sunni muslims (e.g. Saudi Arabia, UAE) and Shia muslim majority countries (e.g. Iraq, Iran) often oppose each other which leads to both internal and external conflicts For example, the introduction of a Shia government after Saddam Hussein (Sunni) was deposed led to some Sunnis feeling marginalised which contributed to the formation of ISIS Furthermore some ethnic groups in their entirety are marginalised, such as Kurds who were not given their own country, leading to them being socially and legally discriminated against by the governments of Syria, Iraq and Turkey

Question 56

How have refugees increased tensions in the Middle East

Answer 56

It has put a major strain on countries the refugees are fleeing to - 25% of Lebanon's population is made of refugees fleeing war from Syria and Palestine

Question 57

How do resources increase tensions in the middle east

Answer 57

65% of crude oil is located in the region which is incredibly profitable leading to disputes over oil rich land It is also low in water and farmland increasing competition over resources

Question 58

How do superpowers influence the Middle East

Answer 58

- The USA has openly supported past and present conflicts in Israeli, as well as involving themselves in the invasion of Iraq 2003 and sanctioning Iran several times - Russia supported Syrian President Assad throughout the Syrian Civil War before he was deposed, and support Iran - China invested $21.6 billion as part of its Belt and Road Initiative into the region between 2014-2019, 58% of which was on energy

Question 59

What is economic restructuring

Answer 59

The shift from primary and secondary industries to tertiary and quarternary sectors

Question 60

How much debt does the EU and USA have and how does this impact their future superpower status Why is the EU more vulnerable than the USA economically

Answer 60

EU: $14 trillion of debt USA: $33 trillion of debt Paying these off would be costly and reduce investment in futher development and economic growth The EU is more economically vulnerable however as the use of the USD as the global currency and the large number of US TNCs makes them more resistant to economic black swan events

Question 61

Why is Europe likely to experience a decline similar to that of Japan unlike the USA

Answer 61

It has a rapidly ageing population - 22% of EU citizens are over 65 and its population is expected to peak in 2026 The USA is still experiencing stable population growth and population rises are less impactful as the government spends less on healthcare and welfare than Europe

Question 62

Why could political factors limit the success of the EU and the USA

Answer 62

The different countries of the EU are different politically and may have conflicting ideas The USA however is more internally politically aligned due to being one country - although the Democrat-Republican split does hamper this somewhat

Question 63

How does energy resources affect the success of Europe and the USA

Answer 63

- Europe invests more into green energy which could be beneficial in the future, however it is also largely reliant on Russian gas which is at threat due to conflicts - The USA has a much more domestic energy mix (84%) making it less susceptible to future problems

Question 64

What is the youth unemployment rate in Europe and why is this a problem

Answer 64

14%, with up to 26% in countries like Spain This causes less economic growth and political disaffection

Question 65

Is the USA or EU better positioned to maintain a future superpower status

Answer 65

The USA - It is much more economically and politically stable, giving it the opportunity to influence outwards rather than the EU which has to focus on its own issues

Question 66

Give 3 examples of the rise of emerging countries creating instability in Asia

Answer 66

- China vs Taiwan: Each government claims to be the legitimate Chinese government following the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, the increase in the Chinese economy has led to an increased military threat to Taiwan - China vs Tibet: China's increased economy has allowed it to invest in high speed rail infrastructure to Tibetan cities like Lhasa, to encourage immigration there to dilute the Tibetan independence movement and culture - India vs China/Pakistan: China does not like India's interest in the South China Sea, as does India with the Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean. Border disputes in the Himalayas lead to military presence on the border, exacerbated by China's good relations with Pakistan who India hit with missiles in May 2025 (all 3 have nuclear weapons)

Question 67

3 reasons why India could compete with China in the future

Answer 67

- Faster economic growth rate in India than China (8.2% vs 5.2% in 2023) - Large cultural impact due to it having a diaspora of 35.4 million (highest in the world) - It has a large and young workforce which largely speak English which helps attract FDI from TNCs

Question 68

What are the 4 main sources of expenditure in military spending in Western Countries

Answer 68

- Navy - Air Force - Intelligence - Nuclear Deterrent

Question 69

Why have European countries increased military spending in recent years and why was it in decline before that

Answer 69

It has historically been in decline due to the lack of perceived threat following the Cold War, however the Russian invasion of Ukraine and reduced US commitment to NATO following Trump's inauguration has led to rising military spending

Question 70

What are the 4 most likely outcomes to future superpower patterns in the following decades

Answer 70

- US Hegemony (USA continues to grow while China experiences an economic crisis and stalls growth) - Multipolar World (USA and EU decline while other powers grow leading to many regional powers but no dominant one - New Cold War (Caused by US and Chinese competition) - Asian Hegemony (Decline in EU alongside rise of Asian countries like China)