1
Q
what is enquiry question 1?
A
what are superpowers and how have they changed overtime
2
Q
define superpower
A
a state with a dominant position, which is characterised by it extensive ability to exert influence or project power on a global scale (e.g USA)
3
Q
define emerging power
A
potential superpower of future -growing in population or status (e.g. China)
4
Q
define regional power
A
influential within a continent (e.g Mexico)
5
Q
define a hyper power
A
also dominates characteristics if a super power but is completely unchallenged
6
Q
What six aspects make up a super power?
A
economics, political, military, culture, demographics, resources
7
Q
how does economics make a superpower?
A
high GDP and levels of trade, including global trade and TNC’s
8
Q
how does political make a superpower?
A
ability to influence policies of other countries
9
Q
how does military make a superpower?
A
high expenditure, largest amount of hardware & personal including nuclear power and weapons
10
Q
how does culture make a superpower?
A
ability to influence the beliefs, values, ideologies and way of life in other countries
11
Q
how does demographics make a superpower?
A
countries with large populations, attracts skilled of workers and other migrants
12
Q
how does resources make a superpower?
A
able to export and control supply of valuable countries, less dependant on others
13
Q
define hard power
A
military force or threats (e.g USA and allies during Iraq war) economic force - sanctions, trade restrictions, travel bans (e.g. Russian invasion of Ukraine)
14
Q
define soft power
A
power through attractive policies/ideologies - cultural values, international relations - globalisation led to more
15
Q
What are the three phases of the British Empire
A
the mercantilist phase
the imperialist phase
the decolonisation phase
16
Q
What did the mercantilist phase of the British empire consist of?
A
trade important as well as naval power
overseas colonies established to ensure power supply of raw materials
trading companies like East India both trading and governance territories
British and Dutch overtake Spanish and Portuguese as dominant maritime power
17
Q
When did the mercantilist phase of the British empire happen?
A
1600-1850
18
Q
When did the imperialist phase of the British empire happen?
A
1850-1945
19
Q
When did the decolonisation phase of the British empire happen?
A
1945- onwards
20
Q
What did the imperialist phase of the British empire consist of?
A
Britain becomes first super power where they also become global hegemonic power
hegemony is the political, economic and military predominance
10 million Km2 + 400m added to empire
industrial might
steam ships and telegraph
india had investments in railway and canals
21
Q
What did the decolonisation phase of the British empire consist of?
A
WW2 changed: new attitudes and ideologies
Rise if USA and USSR
wish to avoid colonial/independence was
decline in British power
22
Q
What was the early super power theory?
A
Mackinder’s Heartland theory
23
Q
What did Mackinder’s Heartland theory consist of?
A
the heartland (central Eurasia rich in resources and strategically vital), pivot area (control of heartland=potential global dominance due to geography), geopolitical dominance, rimland (importance of land surrounding as acts as buffers
24
Q
What are the implications of the Mackinder’s Heartland theory?
A
cold war dynamics, geostrategic alliance, regional conflicts, global energy security
25
What are the critiques of the Mackinder's Heartland theory
oversimplification, technological changes, economic interdependence, alternative theories
26
What real world examples can we see of the Mackinder's Heartland theory in practise
geopolitical rivalries with Russia and Ukraine showing impacts of Eastern Europe's strategic importance
Chinas belt and road initiative shows influence of Asia on Europe
Artic significance (as more ice melts more paths created)
Energy politics (oil gas reserves)
27
What are the influences of soft power?
cultural dance
festivals
ideologies/norms
TNC's
food
entertainment (movies, etc)
28
define cultural imperialism
an enforced spread off culture by a large power - voluntary adoption of a foreign culture by other people
29
what are the negatives of cultural imperialism?
loss of cultural identity and heritage
reliance on foreign media
social tensions and resistance
30
what are the positives of cultural imperialism?
can improve living standards with new technologies
exposure to progressive social values
economic opportunity from job creation
31
define digital colonialism
emerged due to multimedia TNC's (operate a hegemony - what want to watch/listen to)
32
What is a unipolar world
one super power dominates (British Empire)
33
What is a bipolar world
two superpowers dominant with different ideologies (e.g. Coldwar)
34
What is a multipolar world
emerging superpower influence over all region
35
What is unstable about a unipolar power
other powers likely to change
36
What is unstable about a bipolar power
diplomacy may breakdown resulting in conflict
37
What is unstable about a multipower
becomes if 2 or more form alliances
38
What is stable about a unipolar world
sufficient hard and soft power
39
What is stable about a bipolar world
only if both can share control
40
What is stable about a multipolar world
only if power in systems equal
41
What are the three developmental theories in order of worst to best?
Rostow's modernisation theory
Dependency theory
World systems theory
42
What does Rostow's modernisation theory consist of?
is a linear process consisting of traditional society, preconditions for takeoff, take off, drive to maturity, high mass consumption
43
What make Rostow's modernisation theory the worst ?
does not consider development of political and cultural characteristics needed to become superpower. Also says only western pathway countries can follow
44
What makes the dependency theory come middle in the theories?
good to explain historical exploitation and colonialism shaping inequality but rigid as suggests periphery cannot develop
45
What does the development theory consist of?
periphery and core rely on one another
46
Why is the world system theory the best theory?
flexible and realistic, helps to explain why some countries can move upwards and gain power overtime while other remain stuck. Also still explains modern globalisation
47
What does the World System Theory consist of?
the core, semi periphery and periphery with how goods and resources move in and out
48
define neo-colonialism
use of economic, political and cultural power to gain and maintain indirect control over developing powers
49
What are the features of the cold war?
ideological divide (capitalism/democracy vs communism/state control)
also supported opposite sides in korean was
50
define post colonial era
use of economic, political and cultural power after western colonialism
51
define imperialism
policy of extending a countries power and influence through colonisation, use of military force and other means
52
Who is included in BRIC
Brazil
Russia
India
China
53
What is an emerging economy?
nations economy progressing towards a developed status
high annual growth rate
54
What is enquiry question 2?
what are the impacts of superpowers on the global economy, political systems and physical envrionment?
55
How do superpowers influence the global system?
cultural influence
TNC's
IGO's
56
How does cultural influence impact global systems
westernisation, glocalisation, art, food, music
57
How do TNC's impact global systems?
public TNC's vs State owned TNC's
size can dominate goods and services
free market capitalism (can trade with limited restriction)
reduced competitions by mergers or takeovers
invest in technology, business, infrastructure and operational influence
58
How do IGO's influence global systems?
ASEAN
NAFTA
World bank
International monetary fund
World trade organisation
World economic forum
promote free market capitalism to help countries grow economically
59
How should the world respond to natural disasters, political conflicts and environmental threats?
Military alliances (e.g. NATO or ANZUS)
Economic alliances (e.g. EU to improve free trade and movement)
Environmental alliances (intergovernmental panel on climate change IPCC: support main international treaty on climate change, UN framework looks at pre published statistics to look at what to do)
60
What is the environmental impact of urbanisation industrialisation?
China rapid industrialisation made largest CO2 emitter producing 30% global emissions
61
What is the global importance of urbanisation industrialisation?
drives economic growth but accelerates climate change (effects all nations)
62
What is the environmental impact of growing middle class?
increases car ownership, India vehicles 30-230 million, job oppurtunities
63
What is the global impotance of growing middle class?
expands global consumer markets boosting TNC profit and more economic oppurtunity
64
What is the environmental impact of global shift?
China relocation caused severe air pollution, caused 1.6 million premature deaths
65
What is the global importance of global shift?
reshapes global trade patterns, manufacturing loss or gain, increase Asian superpower influence
66
What is the environmental impact of changing diets?
rising meat consumption in East due to westernisation and overfishing. Japan blue fin tuna fallen by 80%
67
What is the global importance of changing diets?
alters food supply chains, more pressure on ecosystem, raise global greenhouse emissions
68
What is the environmental impact of demand for water?
India groundwater extraction highest, 70% aquifers declining
69
What is the global importance of demand for water?
water threatens food security, industrial growth, global geopolitics
70
What is the environmental impact of demand for resources?
China consumes 50% worlds steel, copper and cement driving mining in Africa and South America
71
What is the global importance of demand for resources?
intensifies global competition for minerals, foreign policies, environmental and poor job conditions
72
What is enquiry question 3?
What spheres of influence are contested by superpowers and what are the implications of this?
73
Give 5 examples of contested borders
Gaza strip (religion)
Ukraine (territory claim)
Taiwan (territory claim)
Sudan (ethnic and religion)
Greenland / USA (resources)
74
What is the sphere of influence?
territorial area that a country has influence over (disputes occur when two significant powers overlap)
75
What happened in 1976 in the arctic?
USA and Canda claim 200 miles maritime zone
76
What happened in 1994 in the arctic?
UNCLOS provided legal framework for continental shelf claim
77
What happened in 2007 in the arctic?
Russia plant titanium flag on seabed in north pole
78
What happened in 2010 in the arctic?
Russia and Norway sign treaty ending 40 year dispute over maritime border
79
What happened in 2014 in the arctic?
Demark/Greenland submit claim ridge extension of greenland
80
What happened in 2021 in the arctic?
Russia submit claim of north pole shelf to Canada/Denmark exclusive economic zone
81
What happened in 2024 in the arctic?
rising strategic competition with Russia and NATO expanding military force
82
What happened in 2026 in the arctic?
Diplomatic - USA, EU and Denmark where USA wants national security resources
83
How many minerals/resources in the Arctic?
22% of world oil and natural gas, phosphate, bauxite, iron, copper, nickel, cole and diamond
84
What are the two main drivers to sovereignty over the Arctic?
worlds largest underdeveloped mineral reserves - estimated 90 billion barrels
arctic geopolitics - ice is melting so new shipping routes and strategic defence position
85
What are the political arctic tensions?
arctic council paralysis
US Greenland sovereignty
Resources rates
Indigenous rights conflict in rapid climate change
86
What are the economic arctic tensions?
mineral race
northern sea route expansion
high infrastructure cost vs high potential profits
sanctions hampering Russias energy
87
What are the environmental arctic tensions?
climate change
oil spills
fragile ecosystems
88
What are the military arctic tensions?
NATO expansion vs Russia remilitarisation
Nuclear defence
Grey zone sabotage
Control of strategic maritime chokepoints
89
What are intellectual property rights?
design of a product
90
What is the WIPO?
World Intellectual Property Organisations
91
Whats the problems with buying fake products?
loss of income for TNC's and tax revenue
dangerous products
fund illegal activity
TNC may not operate in country with lots of counterfeits
92
Why has WIPO expanded in recent years?
in recent years grown rapidly due to expansion of internet and buying cheap is easier (e.g. temu)
93
Why are counterfeit products a threat to TNC's?
may not set up in countries
reliance on knowledge economy (e.g. USA Pharmaceutical)
Shift in power due to global shift
military, hard power edge (loss of technology)
94
Why are counterfeit products not a threat to TNC's?
Doesn't effect revenue that much as may not be purchased anyways
Bigger issues (politically)
Cultural products can still be spread
Environmental effects more reducing IP's as irrelevant
95
What is the South China sea dispute about?
China, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and Indonesia, Overlapping territorial and maritime claims
96
Why is the South China sea dispute important
strategic trade routes, natural resources and spheres of influence also SEZ
97
What is the economic impact of Ukraine v Russia conflict?
energy and food prices increase
98
What is the political impact of Ukraine v Russia conflict?
NATO strengthened, world more multipolar
99
What is the military impact of Ukraine v Russia conflict?
NATO defence spending and Russia military loss
100
What is the cultural impact of Ukraine v Russia conflict?
Ukraine identity gain global support
101
What is the demographic impact of Ukraine v Russia conflict?
millions Ukraine refugees globally
102
What is the resources impact of Ukraine v Russia conflict?
Europe diversity energy, Asia more use of Russia energy
103
What is the driving shift of power globally?
rapid urbanisation and increased household consumption
rise of China and India
Technological advancements
Shift of manufacturing and service jobs
104
What are the impacts of global shift in power?
changes un global governance
changing global policy questions
economic interdependence
105
How much oil does the middle eats hold?
48-50% (800 billion barrels)
106
What disputes are their in the Middle east
Sykes agreement divided up the middle each into zones of influence for France and Britain
After WW2 sovereignty states of Iraq, Jordan Israel created
Tensions have continued due to Palestinian tensions continued
107
What are the Arab Springs?
Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen
over political repression, prodemocratic, corruption, inequality and economic problems
108
What are the four economic problems for superpowers?
debt
unemployment
economic restructuring
Social cost
109
What an example of debt being an issue for a superpower?
Blocal recession in 2008 created debt for rich countries, UK debt reached £1.5 trillion
110
What is the example for global shift as an issue for superpowers?
increased global shift led to decline of western TNC's, TNC's increasingly owned by emerging countries leaving decisions abroad. 2008 recession unemployment (5-10%)
111
What is the example of economic restructuring as a problem for a TNC?
Eu and USA forced away from secondary sector creates challenges for disadvantaged community in developed country who don't have skills for tertiary or quaternary job sectors
112
What is the example for social costs causing issues for superpowers?
deterioration of employment network and decaying living environments. Reduced gross motor skills in children limit other social skills needed to perform well in services and knowledge economies
113
What are the economic challenges for superpowers?
GDP per capita in europe decline as lower GDP countries join EU
Global shift = job loses
migrant worker reliance, migrants may see other places as more attractive
EU experiencing ageing population
114
Who are the players?
Nation states
IGO's
TNC's
NGO's
Government leaders
Regional organisation (ASEAN)
115
How much did the UK government spend on defence in 2024/5
£60.2 billion with plans to increase
6th largest military spender globally
116
How much does USA spend on military budget?
$997 billion
117
How much does China spend on military budget?
$314 billion
118
How much does Russia spend on military budget?
$149 billion
119
What are the five parts if military power?
navy
nuclear
air power
intelligence
space
120
What is the navy part of the military?
best to have either low quality large fleet or high quality small fleet. Good for anti-piracy, hunting drug runners or humanitarian missions. Air craft carriers vital but vulnerable to land missiles
costs of two characters cost $2 billion
121
What is the nuclear part of the military?
expensive to maintain and frowned upon by many, successful as deterrent, made in 1945 many countries have access
cost of upgrading UK trident systems £100-250 billion
122
What is the air power part of the military?
second most expensive after nuclear, rapid response option to rising threats adopted by most countries globally
123
What is the intelligence part of the military?
anti terrorism, labour intensive, cyber attacks more and more common. However leads to intelligence leaks which have serious impact
124
What is the space part of the military?
only a few countries committed. Funding taken away from military budgets under threat in West but many Asian countries adopted major space programmes
