Theories

Question 1

What is Mackinder’s Heartland theory?

Answer 1

• Summarises that whoever has the most influence and control over the Heartland (between Europe and Asia) is the global superpower.
• Has contributed to containment policies (USA and NATO preventing from the Soviet Union expanding through Europe.

Question 2

What is Wallerstein’s World Systems Theory?

Answer 2

• Divides the world into the core, semi periphery and periphery regions.
• The core regions are the economic powerhouses and have large influence on global trade.
• The semi periphery and periphery regions provide labour and materials for the core nations.
• Explains inequality in wealth and development across the world as relationships between core and periphery regions can be exploitative.

Question 3

What is the Dependency Theory?

Answer 3

• Explains the cycle of neo-colonialism, where the neo-colony becomes dependent on the neo-colonial power controlling it.
• However, it does not explain how some developing countries have grown rapidly while others have not.

Question 4

What is Rostow’s Modernisation Theory?

Answer 4

• Explains how countries pass through five stages as they grow economically and become developed.
• Traditional society (primary industries) –> Pre conditions for take off (manufacturing industries) –> Takeoff (Industrialisation, FDI) –> Drive to Maturity –> High mass consumption
• Some countries can leapfrog stages of development.

Question 5

What is the Demographic Transition Model?

Answer 5

• Model showing the five stages of population and demographic change as countries develop.

Question 6

What is the significance of geo-strategic location today?

Answer 6

• Proxy wars
• Global trade and goods flow easier

Question 7

What is the significance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) ?

Answer 7

• Countries can claim the right to exploiting resources in an area up to 200 nautical miles beyond their coastline –> EEZ

Question 8

Military alliances

Answer 8

• NATO
• ANZUS

Question 9

Economic alliances

Answer 9

• EU
• NAFTA
• ASEAN

Question 10

Environmental alliances

Answer 10

• UN
• IPCC

Question 11

Global geopolitical stability

Answer 11

• International Court of Justice
• UN Security Council
• UN peacekeeping missions
• UN climate change conferences

Question 12

What is BRICs?

Answer 12

• Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa
• Emerging economies with significant influence on global affairs

Question 13

What is MINT?

Answer 13

• Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey
• Group of emerging market economies

Question 14

What is G20?

Answer 14

• The 20 most significant economies in the world.
• BRICs countries could overtake in the future.
• G20 countries make up 85% of world trade.

Question 15

What is the Gini coefficient?

Answer 15

A measure of inequality in the distribution of household income.

Question 16

What does Degg’s model suggest?

Answer 16

If an area’s population is vulnerable, it will be more severely impacted by a hazardous event, meaning it is more likely to become a disaster.

Question 17

What is the relative deprivation theory?

Answer 17

People feel they have less in comparison to someone else (usually wealth), and therefore, feel deprived.

Question 18

What is Environmental Determinism?

Answer 18

The theory that physical environment shapes human culture and development.

Question 19

What does the Kuznets Curve show?

Answer 19

The relationship between economic development and environmental degradation.