1
Q
What is a superpower?
A
A nation with the means to project its power and influence anywhere in the world, and to be a dominant global force
2
Q
What are the 4 pillars of Superpower status?
A
Ecnomic
Military
Political & Ideological
Cultural
3
Q
How can economy give a country power?
A
- A large economy that enables them to control trade
- They can also use their money to invest in a strong military force and exploit natural resources
- They may also own the debt of other nations, and therefore have power over them
4
Q
How can military give a country power?
A
- Can use their military to threaten or invade other countries (hard power), or to achieve geo-political goals (such as UN peacekeeping missions)
5
Q
How can politics and ideology give a country power?
A
- The ability to influence countries in a way which suits their desires or matches their political systems
- Ideology is closely linked with politics, as many states may force their ideology through politics
6
Q
How can culture give a country power?
A
- Projecting a nation’s cultural values on others can change the way other populations think and align their ideology with the superpower’s culture
- Culture is often spread via social media, films, music, food, art etc. The Westernisation of culture is an important aspect of power
7
Q
What other factors can countries use to exercise their superpower status?
A
Physical resources
Human resources
8
Q
How can physical resources give a country power?
A
- Such as oil and gas
- Can help a nation develop their economy, and therefore their economic power through
trade. - If countries are dependent on the superpower for their natural resources then the superpower will have power over them
9
Q
Give an example of physical resources giving a country power:
A
Russia provides gas to large parts of Europe (now moving away from dependency on them)
10
Q
How can human resources give a country power?
A
A large human workforce if utilised properly can help to develop
a nation’s economy
11
Q
What is the Power Spectrum?
A
Describes the different approaches a country may have in influencing their power or culture on another
Hard power and soft power
12
Q
Political characteristics of superpowers?
A
- Permanent seat on UN Security Council
- Powerful allies
- Multilateral agreements
13
Q
Resource characteristics of a superpower?
A
Access to or control supply of valuable commodities
14
Q
Cultural characteristics of a superpower?
A
- Rich cultural history
- Way of life voluntarily enjoyed around the world
15
Q
Military characteristics of a superpower?
A
- High expenditure on military hardware and personnel
- Global military control
- Intelligence networks
16
Q
Demographic characteristics of a superpower?
A
- Significant % of global population
- Attracts migrants
17
Q
Economic characteristics of a superpower?
A
- High GDP / trade
- Influence over trade
- TNCs HQs
- Hard currency (not likely to fluctuate greatly in value)
18
Q
How do countries maintain power?
A
HARD POWER
- Military presence and force
- Economic power, Aid and trade
- Cultural and ideology
SOFT POWER
19
Q
Military presence and force to maintain power?
A
- Military action, or the threat of it
- Military alliances such as NATO
- Diplomatic threats to use force if negotiation fails
20
Q
Economic power, aid and trade to maintain power?
A
- Favouring certain trade partners
- Trade blocs and alliances
- Giving allies economic and technical help
- Using aid to influence policy
- Using economic sanctions against countries
21
Q
Culture and ideology to maintain power?
A
- Using the media to promote a particular image and message
- The values and ideology of some nations are seen as appealing
- Exporting culture in the form of film and TV, or globally recognised brands
22
Q
Define emerging power:
A
A state or organisation that is growing significantly in power and beginning to extend a more global influence.
23
Q
Define regional power:
A
A state or organisation with a sphere of influence that tends to be continental rather than global.
24
Q
Define hegemony:
A
Leadership or dominance, especially by one state or organisation.
25
Define colonialism:
The acquisition of political control over a territory by another country, and the subsequent settlement of that territory
26
Define neo-colonialism
The use of economic, political and cultural power to influence other countries
27
Define direct control:
Maintaining control through ‘hard’ power, e.g. colonialism
28
Define indirect control:
Maintaining control through ‘soft’ power, e.g. neo-colonialism
29
Define Uni-polar:
A world with a single, dominant superpower
30
Define bi-polar:
A world with two dominant superpowers.
31
Define multi-power
A world with a multitude of superpowers.
32
Define geopolitical:
Referring to the influence of geographical factors on international relations
33
Define Blue Water Navy:
A navy that can be deployed into Open Ocean i.e. with large ocean-going ships.
34
Define diplomacy:
The negotiation and decision-making that takes place between nations as part of international relations, leading to international agreements and treaties.
35
Define ideology:
A set of beliefs, values and opinions held by the majority of people in a society e.g. ‘Western Values’ of free speech, individual liberty, free-market economics and
consumerism.
36
Define Cold War:
A period of tension between the two superpowers of capitalist ASA and communist USSR lasting from 1945 to 1990
37
Define acculturation:
A process of cultural change that takes place when two different cultures meet; it includes the transfer of a dominant culture’s ideas onto a subordinate culture
38
Define sphere of influence:
The geographical area over which a powerful country can assert its authority
39
Define dependency:
The progress of a developing country is influenced by economic, cultural and political forces that are controlled by developed countries
40
Define modernisation theory:
A neo-liberal model used to explain the growth and dominance of the British Empire and the USA which suggests sufficient investment in developing economies would
stimulate industrial change
41
Define neo-liberalism:
An approach that transfers control of economic factors to the private sector away from government control, with the idea that there is an open market for trade and the
economy is free of restrictive barriers and regulations
42
Define world systems theory:
A model that divides the world into 3 sections; a developed core, a developing periphery and the semi-periphery.
43
Who is Mackinder?
Halford Mackinder
1861-1947
British geographer, academic and politician
44
What did Mackinder believe?
To exert influence, it was crucial for a country to control strategic areas of land (known as geostrategic theory)
45
What theory did Mackinder create and when?
Heartland theory in 1904
46
What is the Heartland theory?
Mackinder identified a region of Eurasia from Russia to China named the Heartland
He aruged that this was the key geo-strategic region in the world, and control of it meant control of most of the globe's human and physical resources
47
What were the reasons for the fall of the British Empire?
Economic decline
Loss of military influence
Loss of colonies
48
How did economic decline lead to the fall of the British Empire?
Britain had overspent on war, was effectively bankrupt, and after WW2 was showing serious signs of economic 'slowdown'
49
Where was Mackinder's heartland?
Stretches from Russia to China and from the Arctic to the Himalayas
50
Why was the heartland theory influential?
After WW1, attempts were made to limit Germany's expansion into this strategic area
After WW2, NATO allies tried to contain the Soviets from expanding into South and West Europe
51
Is the Heartland theory still as relevant today?
- Due to technological advancements and increased ease of transport, the shrinking world effet has reduced the locational importance of the Heartland
- Nations such as America, which is not within the Heartland, have been able to become global superpowers
52
Describe the British Empire:
- Ruled a quarter of the world's land and a third of the world's population during its peak
- The Royal Navy dominated the world's oceans and was double the size of Germany's navy, which was the second largest in the world
- Based on hardpower, it invaded and colonised
53
Successes of colonial power?
- Railway lines were built throughout the country and were used to transport goods and the army quickly between places
- The English language spread, which has allowed Commonwealth countries to have services outsourced to them and participate in business
- Education for all colonial states was imrpvoed- led to increased international migration to fill skills shortages in other countries after WW2
54
Negative impacts of colonial power?
- Majority of crops grown in colonial states were bought by the British at very low prices and then sold off for large amounts- farmers and primary manufacturers were left with very little profit
- Many colonial states did not have their own governments, which caused severe protests for independence and unstable countries when made independent
- Discriminating policies were established to segregate the British migrants from natives
55
Where will the world's future superpowers come from?
They are likely to emerge from two groups of countries, which overlap:
BRIC
The G20 Major Economies
56
Describe the BRIC group:
Brazi, Russia, India and China
- These countries were identified as a group of emerging powers in 2001.
- South Africa is sometimes included although its economy is not significant enough
57
Describe the G20 Major Economies:
- Formed in 1999 by the UK and meets annually
- It is made up of 19 countries plus the EU
- It includes some potential emerging powers such as Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Turkey
58
Name the 3 development theories and who made them:
World Systems Theory- Wallerstein
Dependency Theory- Frank
Modernisation Theory- Rostow
59
What does the World System's theory suggest?
There is a global system of core, semi-periphery and periphery nations.
Semi-periphery countries are the emerging economies, some of which are economic superpowers.
Globalisation should be viewed globally rather than individually
60
Critiques of world system theory?
It is an analysis rather than a detailed explanation of the world's patterns of power and wealth.
World viewed in 3 tiers- could be too general, as not all countries will fit neatly into the model.
Categories are fixed so they may not be able to reflect real world changes as countries can grow or decline very quickly
61
Good aspects of world systems theory:
One more category than the Dependency theory so less general than that
It can explain why some countries remain poor and powerless even if they work hard to try and improve- shows reliance on historical wealth and power.
Shows that economic problems are global and not just local- countries have too look at global problems to develop
62
What countries can fit into the World Systems theory?
Core: UK, USA
Semi-periphery: China, Brazil, India
Periphery: many countries in Africa
63
What does the Modernisation theory suggest?
Suggests at a clear course for development to governments
Science and tech can be used to advance industry and stimulate economic growth. Development is achieved when a country has high industrial outputs and exports goods to the world economy.
64
Critiques of modernisation theory?
Only looks at economy- doesn't help to understand political or cultural aspects of power
Outdated and eurocentric as it was modelled on the development of the wealthiest nations
65
Positives of Modernisation theory?
Simple structure, each stage has distinctive characteristics
Real world examples of it being followed and being successful- Asian tigers (Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan)
66
Countries which fit the modernisation theory:
USA
UK
Asian tigers
67
What does the dependency theory suggest?
Periphery, or developing countries, sustain core developed countries' economic growth and wealth.
68
Critiques of dependency theory?
Model only has two sections- developed and developing, so its too general. Oversimplification of the complex states of countries.
69
positives of dependency theory:
Doesn't just focus on economic reasons for power, but historical and some political aspects- more rounded view of aspects of power.
70
Periphery to core movement in dependency theory:
Debt repayments
Raw materials
Brain drain
Political support
71
Core to periphery movement in dependency theory:
Aid
Political and economic ideas
Manufactured goods
Polluting industry
72
What are Kondratieff Cycles?
A theory of long term 40-60 year economc cycles in capitalst economies.
It suggests that radical innovations lead to new industries, dirving periods of growth, followed by stagnation and depresion as the innovations mature
73
IMF
promotes global economic stability by supporting countries in economic difficulty
74
WTO
works to promote international trade by removing trade barriers
75
World Bank
lends money to developing and emerging countries to promote economic development
76
World Economic Forum
Swiss non-profit that acts as a
forum for discussion between business, politicians and
IGOs
77
What is the OECD?
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation that
works to stimulate economic progress and world trade.
Made of high income countries – promote democracy and
liberalisation of markets.
78
How do the members of the UN security council work?
5 permanent members
USA, UK, France, China, Russia
10 others rotate on a 2 year cycle and must be voted in by at least 129 (out of 193) votes.
Each council member has one vote. Any decisions need at least 9 votes.
79
What are the MINT nations?
Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey
Identified as having significant growth potential to follow the BRICS nations.
Rapid economic growth, high populations, increasing influence in global, economic and political systems
80
Describe the impacts of IGOs on the global economy:
IMF- promotes global economic stability by supporting countries in economic difficulty
WTO- works to promote international trade by removing trade barriers
World Bank- lends money to developing and emerging countries to promote economic development
WEF- swiss non-profit that acts as a forum for discussion between businesses, politicians and IGOs
81
What is the Paris climate agreement?
World leaders pledged to try to prevent global temps rising by more than 1.5C above those of the late 19th century (known as pre-industrial levels)
It saw almost all the world's nations agree to cut the greenhouse gas emissions which cause global warming
82
Describe the USA's relationship with the Paris agreement?
It joined in 2016, withdrew under Trump in 2020, rejoined under Biden in 2021 and Trump has once again intitiated withdrawal proceedings in 2025, which will not take effect until 2026
83
Why are TNCs dominant in the global economy?
Their economies of scale mean they can outcompete smaller companies and in many cases, take them over
Their bank balances and ability to borrow money to invest has allowed them to take advantage of globalisation by investing in new technology
The move towards free-market capitalism and free trade has opened up new markets, allowing them to expand
84
Give some features of capitalism:
Private ownership of property
Private ownership of businesses: wages based on supply vs. demand and skill level
The right to make a profit and accumulate wealth
Buying and selling of goods and services in a competitive free market with limited restrictionsG
85
Give some features of a centrally planned economy:
Profits taken by the government
Gov ownership of property and land
Most businesses state-owned and wages determined centrally
Geography Paper 2
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