Superpowers Flashcards
(26 cards)
Uni/bi/multi polar
The British empire 1926 = unipolar 25% of world and 458m people
Cold War = Bipolar = A period of tension between ideologically rival superpowers, capitalist the USA and the communist USSR 1945-1990
Hegemonic power
USA = The dominance of a superpower over other countries
Can be a dominant power – EG the US military or more subtle power, sometimes known as ‘cultural hegemony”
Cultural impacts of superpowers
TNC’s = adaptations to local tastes = glocalisation
Consumerism – EG Apple.. Encouraged to spend/brand identity.. Easier to have all Apple products.
Capitalistvalues – EG social media spreads the idea that money = happiness and fulfilment.. A mainly capitalist concept.
Dominantcountries with English-speaking language – around 15%of the world speaks English – about 5% as a first language.
Adaptation of selective other world cultures – Sushi has become popular in the West
The US boycotted the 1980 Olympics which was held in Moscow and the USSR boycotted the 1984 Olympics held in Los Angeles
Military alliances
NATO
Russia Ukraine
UN Security Council
NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. 31 members so strength in numbers.
NATO membership is open to “any other European state in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area.”
5 superpower pillars and 4 pillars of global security
Superpower:
military
political
cultural
resources
economic
Global security:
Political - UN
Economic - IMF
Social - WHO
Judicial - International court of justice in Netherlands
Environmental agreements
Plans to reduce carbon emissions = 1997 Kyoto Protocol: an international agreement set up to reduce carbon emissions.
Superseded by the Paris Agreement agreed at COP21 (2015) which came into force in 2016, a legally binding international treaty.
Growing middle class and consumerism = pressure on resources
US = attitudes change quickly - pulled out of Paris agreement Trump
EU = implemented policies - nations must achieve climate neutrality by 2050 (legally binding)
China = reluctant to sign climate deals due to limiting economic growth, since slowdown they have now invested in renewables 44% in 2021
BAD = The US has recently approved the Willow project in the north of Alaska
This will allow drilling for an estimated 600 million barrels of oil
Belt and road
China’s belt and road initiative = To improve/increase access to trading routes overland and at sea therefore increasing sphere of influence.
Neocolonialist relations
- China - reliance on Nigeria for materials
- African countries - importing manufactured goods from china as well as FDI in roads/rail networks
China = $60bn FDI in Africa 2015
China Africa trade = $200bn in 2016
creates the appearance of partnership and trust, but is actually used to extract natural resources through soft power.
Challenges for Africa:
1. Debt - China’s loans to African countries are part of a strategy to trap them into debt and force them to give up control of their resources.
2. Corruption - There are accusations of increased corruption, bribery, and unfair business practices in Africa.
3. Prioritization of Chinese interests - Some say that China prioritizes its own interests over local needs
Opportunities which may result in gains for African nations include:
1. Economic growth - China’s investments have helped African countries diversify their economies, create jobs, and improve infrastructure.
2. Trade - China has provided a market for African products and has helped African countries increase their exports.
3. Technology - China has provided products and technologies to African countries.
Lack of growth in EU and USA
DEBT = 2008 global recession/financial crisis
UNEMPLOYMENT = Loss of manufacturing jobs due to the global shift of industry
SOCIAL COSTS = Rising life expectancy and low fertility rates - ageing population, care home costs have increase by 3.1% in UK 2022
ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING = Dedindustrialisation in the EU, high costs in regenerating former industrial areas, retraining of workforce in tertiary sector
What country are many of the top TNC’s from
USA
Conflict in the Arctic
no international treaty to protect the environment
potentially 30% of the world’s undiscovered gas and 160bn barrels of oil resources
- Scientific exploration has increased – again, nations extending their sphere of influence
- Russia and Canada have military force dedicated to protecting their territorial claims
- Other nations with patrols over the Arctic include Norway, the UK, Canada and the USA
As ice melts = drilling becomes easier
US approved Willow project = 600m barrels of oil
Hard power and Soft power and Smart power
Joseph Nye
Hard = military and economic
Annexation of Crimea in 2014 led to Russia losing many allies due to violation of international law
Soft = persuasion
BBC = outputs news from a British/western perspective
Smart power = mixture
Trade agreements within trade blocs
British Empire
Trans oceanic cables = efficient communication and trade
Military garrisons = military posts in different continents to protect against/deter invasions
Controlling trade routes = control large amounts of Africa which meant they had access to the Suez Canal giving access to Asia
Forms of neocolonialism
Debt = polarising inequalities - by causing a power difference superpowers gain control of the vulnerable
Aid = given to allies who want good relations, can force countries into debt - superpowers in control
Trade = “western free trade ideology” - dominated by USA and EU, use TNC’s to manipulate countries to follow trade agreements
Strength of BRIC/MINT
India:
+ youthful population
+ demographic dividend = large working age population in the future
+ global leader in IT
+ 7th largest GDP
- widespread poverty
- poor energy and transport infrastructure
- lack of water resources
Brazil
+ huge natural resources and farming potential
+ modern economic structure
- economy has bust and boom cycles
- limited military strength
Mexico
+ Part of USMCA trade bloc, improving democracy.
- Crime issues, obesity-related health costs, skilled emigration.
Energy increase
Projected to increase by 40-50% between 2010 and 2040
Instability in Middle East
Religion – Sunni and Shia Muslim groups
Conflict, 2011 ISIS, 2015 Syrian civil war
Resources – land
60% of Oil supplies - 76% of Japan, 21% USA
Youth – young populations facing the prospect of high unemployment
Governance – weak political systems/new democracies
Global police and UN Security Council
President Roosevelt proposed the “four policemen” - the only armed nations = this did not happen but lead to the permanent members along with France
Security council =
China
France
Russia
UK
US
The USA has intervened in foreign conflict many times over the past 40 years
As part of UN security, in coalition with other countries (but outside UN) and unilaterally (on its own).
UK = “official development assistance” and “Arab partnership programme” to help MENA regions
E.g Britain contributed over $1.5bn to Syria in 2015/16 and focused aid on humanitarian projects
Military action was used in 2014-15 by Britain in coalition against the Islamic state in Iraq
Can argue Uk create relations for oil deals - real goal
G7
G7 (Group of 7)
A group of the world’s 7 largest advanced economies (USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan, Canada, Italy). Focus on global economic policy, development, and democracy.
USA
10% = $584bn
Costs are high and could reinvest elsewhere = 13% of Americans live in poverty (less than $12,000 a year)
Counterfeiting
estimated 5-8% if China’s GDP
Worldwide losses = $400-600bn annually
TNC’s unlikely to investment if they fear counterfeiting
South China Sea
The South China Sea and associated territories is another very complex example of contested sphere of influence
- Since 2012, launching and strategic positioning of aircraft carriers, including the potential for nuclear capabilities..
- Occupying islands (some deserted) and reclaiming land on Firey Cross Reef
- Since 2015, constructing a new port and airport on Mischief Reef
- Developing a military base on the Subi Reef
During the COVID pandemic, China announce two new administrative districts in the SCS (both of which are claimed by Vietnam) this increased tension and pressure in an already ‘heated’ area
WEF
Founded in 1971
A Swiss non-for-profit organisation
It promotes free trade and is in favour of TNCs
It aims to bring businesses and governments together, encouraging public and private co-operation
Meetings of the WEF take place each year in Davos bringing together politicians
USA
7/10 best known global brands are from USA
