Human Case studies

Question 1

Mackinder’s geographical pivot theory context.

Answer 1

• Mackinder believed the world was divided into 3 components
  1. The world island, comprising Europe, Asia and Africa it is the largest and wealthiest combination of continents.
  2. Offshore islands, including the British Isles and Japan.
  3. Outlying islands, including North and South America and Australia.
• At the centre of the world was the heartland which he described as the pivot area
• Controlling the heartland secured control of the world island and in turn the rest of the world.

Question 2

Mackinder’s geographical pivot theory facts and statistics.

Answer 2

• The heartland contained 50% of the worlds resources at the time.
• When Mackinder was writing the heartland was controlled by Russia but could be invaded by Germany or japan and an alliance
• Previous invasions did not work because land transport technology meant that conflict inland could not be sustained e.g. Napolean’s invasion of Russia in 1812 had succumbed to lack of reinforcements and supplies
• Britains naval power had been able to maintain control of coastal waters, but Mackinder was keen to ensure that Britain was prepared for a world where improved technology would make inland conflict and invasion more likely.

Question 3

What is an example of an unstable country?

Answer 3

• Somalia

- conflicts between Somaliland and the rest of Somalia.

Question 4

Unstable country Somali and Somaliland context.

Answer 4

• Somaliland is a region of Somalia that declared independence in 1991.
• The region was occupied for centuries by the ottoman empire.
• In 1888 it became a protectorate of the British empire.
• Britain’s interest in the region was as a supply of meat to British military in Yemen.
• The rest of Somalia was ruled by Italy.
• In 1960 Somaliland declared independence and united with Somalia to form the Somali republic.
• In 1969 the army’s leader initiated a coup d’état.
• Somaliland resisted this and was bombed by the army supported by Russian built aircraft.
• Over the following years US military troops were deployed to the country while Russia constructed one of the longest runways in Africa.
• Resistance to the army from other ethnic groups in Somalia led to a civil war in 1991 and the collapse of the govt.
• The country is described as a failed state while Somaliland remains one of two relatively stable autonomous regions within Somalia.
• Many residents of Somalia fled to European countries particularly france and Britain.
• Somaliland has relied on this diaspora returning money through the hawal Islamic finance system.
• The UK govt is one of a few countries to attempt links with Somaliland, sending aid and diplomats however dealing with Somalia at the same time has angered Somaliland.
• Mozambique which is a former Portuguese colony has been admitted to the commonwealth despite no links with Britain however Somaliland a former protectorate has not been allowed to join.

Question 5

How has Somaliland become a stable region within an unstable country?

Answer 5

• In 2009 saudi arabia lifted a ban on livestock imports from Somaliand.
• In 2015 5 million animals were exported.
• The money generated form livestock exports means that imports from Vietnam and china are growing as the diaspora begins to return.
• Shops in Somaliland are full of Vietnamese clothes and Chinese electronics.
• Business growth has been strong enough to justify investment in fibre optic broadband and mobile networks.

Question 6

Why is Somalia an unstable country?

Answer 6

• The Somalian army has caused unrest between different regions due to a planned coup d’etat to overthrow the govt.
• The unrest caused a civil war in 1991.
• In Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia ongoing terrorist attacks have created borders which don’t fit local geopolitical situations.
• Piracy is alos a problem for Somalia whose coastline is adjacent to one of the worlds biggest seaways.

Question 7

Intervention of IMF case study?

Answer 7

• The Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa.

Question 8

Intervention of IMF in Cote d’Ivoire case study context/facts?

Answer 8

• The IMF did not allow the cote d’Ivoire to receive aid until 2013 when its govt agreed to set up commercial courts and allow free presidential elections.
• After economic reforms, $4.4 bil of debt was cancelled but cancellation of a further $10 bil of debt depended on reform of the country’s electricity sector to allow companies to react to changes in world energy prices.
• Investment in education and training has depended on the govt creating a more competitive banking sector.
• The UN still bans diamond exports from the cote d’Ivoire after the country used them to finance a civil war in 2005.
• After min wage agreements and investment in road infrastructure were achieved in 2011, the country was allowed to export cocoa again.

Question 9

Cultural impact of MNC’s case study?

Answer 9

• Apple

Question 10

Cultural impacts of apple case study context?

Answer 10

• development of the ipod, iphone and the ipad has transformed how people work, communicate, listen to music and interact socially.
• Digital music, video and podcasts have changed the music industry, both on the high street and in the way artists produce music.
• instant messaging and video conferencing on iPhones made communication more dynamic.
• The ipad provided more intimacy than a laptop and more capability than a smartphone.
• The transformation of culture has been strong in china because of the large difference between the traditional Chinese communist culture and that of the capitalist USA.
• Apples brand image has had as much impact as the technology itself.
• For a young, outward looking generation that wishes for symbols of freedom, the iphone and the apple logo have become reflections of taste and lifestyle and a status.

Question 11

Cultural impacts of apple case study facts?

Answer 11

• until 2015 apple was the largest company in the USA worth $724 bil, twice that of the second largest.
• Digital music, video and podcasts have created an industry now worth $6.85 bil.
• By 2015 apple had sold more than 1 bil ios devices

Question 12

Disputes over physical resources case study?

Answer 12

• South and East China Sea

Question 13

Disputes over South and East China seas case study context - Spratly islands?

Answer 13

• Japan and china in dispute over eight islands in the east china sea, currently administered by Japan.
• the seas are rich fishing grounds and extensive gas and oil reserves are under the seabed.
• The islands were transferred to US sovereignty in 1972, but evidence from 1600s is being used to justify claims of ownership by china.
• Protests by Japanese activists in 2012 against China exploiting their land caused an angry reaction from Beijing.
• china has established a small military presence on the disputed spratly islands which lie between Malaysia and the Philippines.
• these islands also have large fossil fuel reserves and is a busy trading route.
• China have built structures on the islands but recently finished dredging the seabed to create artificial reefs and an airstrip.
• The Philippines govt pays some of its citizens to live on the islands to reinforce claims however it is no match for China’s military presence.

Question 14

Disputes over South and East China seas case study context - Woody island?

Answer 14

• in 2016 china installed launch batteries for surface-to-air missiles on Woody Island in the paracel archipelago as a possible response to the US navy beginning military exercises in the sea in 2014/15.
• The USA is committed to defending the Philippines and Japan as they want to be able to operate in an unrestricted way in all waters.
• The Chinese navy are working on quieter submarines, long range hypersonic anti-ship missiles and medium-range missiles, meaning tensions are growing.
• In 2016 a tribunal gave a legal ruling in favour of the Philippines claims in the disputed waters of the south china sea.
• Taiwan, who also claim woody island are paying attention to developments.
• The tribunal also found china had violated the Philippines rights by its fishing and oil activities and construction of artificial islands.
• This caused international pressure on china to reduce its illegal operations, although china did not initially accept the ruling

Question 15

Disputes over South and East China seas case study facts?

Answer 15

• The 8 island sin dispute between China and Japan were transferred to US sovereignty in 1972, but evidence from 1600s is being used to justify claims of ownership by china.
• In 2010 Japanese coastguards rammed a Chinese fishing trawler, arresting the boat and crew. In 2012 Japanese activists staged a protest on the islands provoking an angry reaction from Beijing.
• Spratly islands have one of the world’s busiest trading routes 30% of trade passes through it.
• The Philippines govt pays some of its citizens to live on the islands to reinforce claims.
• at a meeting between ASEAN leaders Obama said the US will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows (woody island).
• In 2016 an international tribunal in the Hague gave a legal ruling in favour of the Philippines claims in the disputed waters of the south china sea.

Question 16

Western Russia and Eastern Europe tensions case study context?

Answer 16

• Tensions between Russia and other former communist states of eastern Europe have been growing ever since the accession 8 countries joined the EU in 2004.
• Changing their allegiance towards the west was a humiliating for Russia and Vladimir Putin is determined for Russia to regain and reassert its former power.
• Russia has opposed the US constructing a strategic missile shield in Poland, planting the Russian flag on the Arctic seabed and its military intervention in the Ukraine, demonstrating Russia’s intention to consolidate territorial claims.
• In 2006 and 2009 Gazprom raised the price of its gas and subsequently cut off supply to Ukraine in winter and raised the price of gas for Belarus after it cut off the pipeline carrying Russia oil.
• When Georgia wanted to join NATO in 2010, Russia used the excuse of Russian ethnicity in both south Ossetia and north Ossetia to begin an armed conflict between the 2 territories.
• A similar justification was given for Russia’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula in Ukraine in 2014.
• Control over the Caucasus would give Russia control over an alternative gas pipeline route from the south Caspian sea to turkey and into Europe; the Crimean peninsula gives Russia complete access to the black sea and the Mediterranean for it’s navy.
• In the ensuing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, a Malaysian airlines passenger plane was shot down, apparently by separatists armed by Russia.
• Russian military jets have also been flying very close to British airspace, and Russia’s intervention in Syria has controversially used its military capability to attack both extremists and troops supported by the UK and the USA.

Question 17

Mozambique’s resource boom case study context?

Answer 17

• Coal, oil and natural gas are abundant in Mozambique.
• After a 17 year civil war that ended in 1993, the country still uses only a small amount of gas because it cannot afford the capital investment required to extract and distribute the gas.
• however rising GDP suggests Mozambique should be able to extract and distribute gas reserves in the future.
• With the prospect of a resource boom, tension has been rising between the govt and opposition groups over who is allocated building and security contracts or gains from new ports and railways.
• International concerns have focused on land grabs, forced relocations, poor working conditions, bribery and the unwillingness of mining companies to stick to promises to build new infrastructure.
• The world bank is putting pressure on investors to help develop social responsibility plans.
• However TNC’s are already frustrated over the complicated tax and concession arrangements with many waiting 3 years to start drilling.
• as Mozambique’s economic wealth continues to grow, Portuguese companies are beginning to return to the country that was previously part of their empire.
• Brazilian, Australian and UAE companies have already begun mining projects as well as the construction of rail links to move resources to the coast for export.
• China has also created a special economic zone in Beira, a neglected part of the country.
• The Chinese govt has gone further and bought a significant stake in an Indian company (Videocon) that is exploring natural gas supplies.
• The reopening of the railway link to Beira has brought other economic activities such as hotels, banks, an airport and car hire companies.
• The railway runs from Beira thorugh Tete, the centre of the coal mining region on the main trading route linking Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique.

Question 18

Mozambique’s resource boom case study facts?

Answer 18

• Mozambique’s gas reserves could make it the worlds fourth largest gas producer.
• In 2000 the country’s GDP (PPP) was only $8.1 billion but by 2015 it was $33.7 billion, and its growth rate between 2013 and 2015 was 6.9% (similar to India’s 7.5% and china’s 7.3%).
• The IMF has predicted that in 2020 the GDP (PPP) of Mozambique will be $59.2 billion.

Question 19

The growing importance of India case study context?

Answer 19

• India’s population is continuing to grow, free from the constraints of birth control policy.
• Manmohan Singh who was finance minister and then prime minister from 2004 to 2014, introduced reforms that dismantled India’s state controlled economy by privatising many parts of it.
• These reforms have continued under prime minister Narendra Modi with current investment in improved transport infrastructure and digital India and smart village schemes.
• India is a BRICS country and member of the commonwealth and helps to stimulate economic change in the region.
• The country is seeking permanent membership of the UN, strongly supported by the UK.
• however Narendra Modi is seen as a controversial leader and some wonder whether India will be able to find a solution to divisions that exist between ethnic and social groups within the country, or resolve to disputes with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
• India’s growing economy and middle income groups make the country part of a global emerging market.
• Although India’s development is still at an early stage as highlighted in a 2015 report by McKinsey, some geopolitical strategists recognise that its strong democratic govt could be vital counterbalance to an autocratic china.

Question 20

Reasons for the growing importance of India case study?

Answer 20

• democratic govt makes it easier to hold political leaders to account and counter corruption.
• High economic growth rates have enabled the govt to invest in road infrastructure (the golden quadrilateral project links the four main cities), rural healthcare, national security and education.
• India’s relations with surrounding countries have improved dramatically, particularly with Afghanistan, to whom India is the largest aid donor.
• China is an important trade partner and the USA has supported Indian development of nuclear reactors.
• Links have been developed with Israel and the country now look to their support rather than Russia.
• Its graduates are very entrepreneurial and the country is home to many technology start ups as well as a space programme with remote sensing.
• Many workers are under the age of 25, creating a large and lasting workforce, many of whom speak fluent English.
• The Indian diaspora stretches across the globe, helping to spread culture, technology and ideas and create links.
• The Indian ocean remains a key sea trade route, and India is centrally located with deep natural harbours.
• With its low latitude and many hours of sunshine, renewable solar energy could be an affordable energy source for the country.
• India’s investment in its space programme and its ability to be the first Asian nation to put a satellite into orbit around mars are indicative of its ambitions, a form of hard power to match its status as a nuclear power with significant armed forces such as 2 aircraft carriers.

Question 21

The growing importance of India case study facts?

Answer 21

• In a 2015 report on global competitiveness, India was cited as the 3rd largest national market after china and the USA.
• This might be expected for a country with over 1.2billion people, but India’s GDP per capita is small.
• However its growth rate (7.5%) was higher than china’s.
• The Bollywood film industry sold 3.6 bil ticket sin 2014, in comparison to 2.6 bil for Hollywood.
• Tourism contributes 6% of India’s GDP.