Superpowers Flashcards
(18 cards)
Definition
A superpower is a nation which is able to project its influence and be dominant on a global scale
Patterns of power
Uni-polar world means there is only one superpower = British Empire 1926
Bi-polar world exists when there are two superpowers = USSR and USA 1945-1990
Multi-polar world means there are multiple superpowers = now with BRIC/MINT nations
Emerging nations
Brazil
Russia
India
China
Mexico
Indonesia
Nigeria
Turkey
G20 = The EU is the largest trading bloc in the world
Other emerging powers in the G20 include Asian economies of Indonesia, Japan and South Korea
Regional powers
South Africa in Africa
France, Germany and the UK in Europe
Factors affecting superpower status
Physical size
Economic power
Cultural influence
Physical resources
Demographics
Political power
Military strength
Maintenance of power - Joseph Nye
Hard
Soft
Smart
Theories
Mackinder’s ‘Heartland Theory’:
Based on the premise that most of the world’s natural resources are to be found in Asia and Europe
The ‘heartland’ is an area bordered by mountains on three sides and the Arctic to the north
World systems theory:
Developed by Wallerstein in 1974
Whole world is one unit divided into:
- Core = HICs - need labour and resources
- Periphery = NEE - share characteristics
- Semi-peripheries = LIC - need investment
Criticisms = too focused on economy and not on culture
Modernisation theory:
Based on 15 EU countries
1. Traditional society = subsidence farming
2. Transitional stage = shift to manufacturing and improved infrastructure
3. Take off = industrial growth, regional and political change
4. Drive to maturity = growth supported through tech innovation and investment
5. Mass consumption = consumer orientated society, production of goods, high incomes
Criticisms = outdated, too simple, assumes nations start at same point, does not show how nations get the money needed to advance, colonialism not taken into account
Dependency theory:
- poverty of developing countries is due to dependence on developed nations - unequal relationship
- linked to Neo-colonialism
- Primary resources are exported from developing countries to developed countries - low profits
- Developing countries do not have the funds to process primary resources which would add value
- Developed countries apply tariffs on processed goods which means that developing countries struggle to export processed goods
Criticisms = Developed countries have lost their power to control developing countries,
Countries are emerging and becoming more developed semi-periphery countries such as Mexico and India
The global system is now controlled by TNCs and the World Trade Organisation,
Underdevelopment may be due to internal not external factors
How do superpowers maintain power
Military = NATO
Political = diplomacy
Economic = Trade blocs
Cultural = TNC ‘Westernisation’
Colonialism vs Neo-colonialism
Colonialism is the direct control of one country over another
Neocolonialism refers to the continued influence and exploitation of former colonies, even after they have achieved independence
Dominance of TNC’s
directly invest in one country and later expand to other nations (usually developing countries) to take advantage of lower labour costs and incentives
It is the process of moving manufacturing around the globe that has resulted in the development of emerging countries such as China, India and Brazil
The increased importance of TNCs have led to economic power shifting to emerging countries such as China
Use patents to protect innovations and tech
Developed countries have greater participation in international trade than developing countries as a result of TNCs
Global action
Crisis response = provide aid
Conflict response = “four policemen” 1942 Roosevelt
Climate change response = Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was set up to assess the ‘risks of human-induced climate change
This was followed by several international agreements:
Earth Summit 1992
Kyoto Protocol 1997
Paris Agreement 2015
Alliances
Economic = EU, ASEAN
Environmental = IPCC, UNFCCC
UN
Security council
Peacekeeping missions
International court of justice
Climate change conference
Resource demands
Water = higher prices
Food = scarcity
Fossil fuels = pollution
Minerals = energy, industry, construction
Leading to = Environmental degradation - carbon emissions
Variation in willingness to act on Environmental issues
Needs China to participate as they are largest emitters
Trump withdrew from Paris Agreement
Contesting global influence
Artic = resource demands
IPR = intellectual property rights
1. Industrial property
2. Copyright
Eastern Europe = Russia v Ukraine
South China Sea = islands claimed by nations - trade influence
Spratly Islands = overlapping territorial claims
Changing relationships between superpowers and developing nations
China + Africa = trade and resources
China + India = conflicts along border
Asian countries = China + India economic rise
Middle East = Extremist groups - Cultural, Political, Economic, Environmental
Economic restructuring in superpowers
USA and EU:
- Debt = 2008 financial crisis
- Economic restructuring = global shift
- Unemployment = deindustrialisation and global shift
- Social costs = ageing population and deindustrialisation
Economic costs of maintaining military power
- Naval
- Nuclear weapons = 9 nations
- Air power = speed of response
- Intelligence services = terrorism risks
- Space exploration = USA
Could military spending be used elsewhere?
