Superpowers Flashcards

Question

What does Angola import from China? How much?

Answer 1

Cement = manufactured material - (dependency theory) 44 million tons

Answer 2

Angola: • Cheap loans from China for infrastructure projects • Chinese build infrastructure such as roads and railways - railways and roads stimulate small business growth = trickle down effect. • Angolans benefit from Chinese investment - cheap products like knock off motorcycles and cars. • increase in Chinese tourism

Answer 3

• they give cheap loans, but then Chinese workers take up all construction contracts = they get the money back. • cheap resources such as oil • china has a market for its products

Answer 4

• Chinese TNCs get all construction contracts = unemployment in local Angolan populations. • the increasing middle class in China demands resources such as Ivory = rise in illegal ivory trade - rhino horn etc…

Answer 5

Their water supply comes primarily from this region.

Answer 6

Building infrastructure such as a high speed railway from Lhasa to Qinghai = increase Chinese migration into Tibet. Also investing in industry and infrastructure in Tibet = people side with Chinese gov due to increased quality of life. SOFT POWER

Answer 7

2014 - airport on fiery cross reef 2015 - port and possible airport on mischief reef 2015 - subi reef appeared to be being developed into a military base.

Answer 8

Colonel Gaddafi (Dictator)

Answer 9

It contains economic resources like oil and gas, important geopolitical trade routes, and is a region of historic conflict, and religious/ethnic tensions.

Answer 10

Iran Iraq Saudi Arabia (already is technically)

Answer 11

Due to deregulation of banking services, banks were allowing sub prime mortgages (loaning money to people unlikely to be able to repay). Then due to these people not being able to repay, lots of people lost their money that they had with the banks.

Answer 12

The crisis exposed structural weaknesses at the heart of the US-led global financial system and damaged US economic credibility. Specific evidence: • Originated in US subprime mortgage market • Lehman Brothers collapsed (Sept 2008) • US government bailout (TARP): $700 billion • US unemployment peaked at ~10% (2009) Analytical judgement: Because the crisis began in the USA and spread globally, it undermined the image of US economic competence and leadership, weakening its soft power. How to use in an exam: Best used to support arguments that US dominance declined in the 21st century or that US-led globalisation created systemic risk.

Answer 13

Despite causing the crisis, the USA played a central role in managing the global response, showing continued structural power. Specific evidence: • Federal Reserve coordinated global liquidity support • IMF and World Bank interventions shaped recovery policies • Europe adopted austerity, partly influenced by US-backed neoliberal ideas • Dollar remained the world’s reserve currency Analytical judgement: This suggests US power was damaged reputationally but not fundamentally displaced, as global recovery mechanisms still relied on US-led institutions. How to use in an exam: Excellent for balanced conclusions or essays asking whether US power declined or adapted after 2000.

Answer 14

They are defined by contrasting characteristics: economic, political, military, cultural, demographic, and access to natural resources [1].

Answer 15

Power maintained through military spending, military force, and economic strength usually measured by GDP [1, 2].

Answer 16

Power derived from cultural influence, such as the global spread of the arts, food, media, and 'Westernisation' [1, 3].

Answer 17

Direct militarised colonial control, such as that exercised by the British Empire [4].

Answer 18

A global system dominated by a single superpower, typically seen during the imperial era or the post-Cold War period [4].

Answer 19

A system with two opposing superpowers holding dominance, as characterized by the Cold War era [4].

Answer 20

A system where several countries hold significant power and compete for global influence [4, 5].

Answer 21

A group of emerging countries—Brazil, Russia, India, and China—considered increasingly important to global economic and political systems [6].

Answer 22

A development theory suggesting nations follow a linear economic path toward high mass consumption and superpower status [7].

Answer 23

A theory explaining power imbalances where developing nations remain dependent on wealthier nations for capital and markets [7].

Answer 24

An explanation of global dominance that categorises the world into core, semi-periphery, and periphery nations [7].

Answer 25

By promoting free trade and capitalism through IGOs like the World Bank, IMF, and WTO [7, 8].

Answer 26

An intergovernmental organisation used by superpowers to exert economic influence and shape global policy [7].

Answer 27

Through global production networks, ownership of intellectual property (patents), and trade patterns [3, 9].

Answer 28

It is an important aspect of power linked to economic influence and the spread of technology through brands and media [3].

Answer 29

Superpowers and emerging nations play a key role in global action, including crisis response and conflict management [3].

Answer 30

They increase interdependence and are vital for geostrategy and maintaining global influence [10].

Answer 31

Their massive resource demands cause environmental degradation, and their carbon emissions contribute disproportionately to global warming [11].

Answer 32

Increased consumption leads to higher demand and costs for oil, rare earths, staple grains, and water [12, 13].

Answer 33

A region where a superpower or emerging power claims exclusive or dominant rights, often leading to contested territory [12, 14].

Answer 34

Tensions arise over the acquisition of physical resources (oil and gas) where ownership is disputed and exploitation is disagreed upon [12].

Answer 35

These are political spheres of influence where territorial claims are contested, potentially leading to conflict [14].

Answer 36

A contested sphere of influence where conflict has significant implications for both people and the physical environment [14].

Answer 37

It undermines the global system of intellectual property rights, straining relations and reducing TNC investment [14].

Answer 38

Through developing economic ties (e.g., China in Africa) that increase interdependence but also generate environmental impacts [15].

Answer 39

Ongoing economic restructuring, debt, unemployment, and the high social costs of maintaining global military power [16].

Answer 40

Evaluate factors like territorial disputes (Arctic), neo-colonialism (resource searching in Africa), and price rises due to increased demand [12, 13, 17, 18].

Answer 41

Evaluate how TNCs drive FDI and trade, but also how government decisions (like trade bloc exits) can weaken their economic importance [9, 19-24].

Answer 42

Consider if ranking data (GDP, military spend) accurately reflects relative strength, or if factors like population health (sanitation) inhibit progress [2, 25-28].

Answer 43

Assess that Hard power is primary for security and resource access, while Soft power provides long-term stability and cultural alignment [1, 29].

Superpowers Flashcards

(73 cards)