Superpowers Flashcards

Question

Role of the WTO?

Answer 1

World Trade Organisation aims to ensure free global trade and reduce protectionist measures. Failed to stop protectionist measures of developed countries protecting their own industries. US and EU give subsidies to their farmers which prices out farmers of developing nations. Limited enforcement power

Answer 2

Dates back to the 18/19th century East India Company controlled trade routes and a fifth of the world's population. Many TNC's carry great power due to their economic size. Political influence - Can lobby home governments and shape foreign policy. eg. US oil in the Middle East **Superpowers can use TNC's to secure resources.** TNCs have massive influence over global culture: As American/Europe dominate TNC ownership they spread the westernised lifestyle globally. eg. Mcdonalds and Coca cola.

Answer 3

Economic bankruptcy: - spendings on arms races - Communist system much less economic growth than US Lack of belief: - Population no longer believed in the system - Republics demanded independency eg. baltic states

Answer 4

**Economy** 9th largest economy in the world. Large oil and gas reserves - potentially overdependent on oil and gas exports (vulnerable to price fluctuations) Hit by economic sanctions which has weakened economy and currently at war. Very unequal - richest 1% control 70% of country's wealth - victim of communism. **Political** Permanent member of UN security council so has veto power. Strong relationships with eastern Europe Reliant on authoritarian stability Relationships with EU are very strained. **Military** Strong nuclear arsenal - detterence Convential power is however limited. Much of its military stock is aeging and may not be fit for purpose **Demographic** Large population (144M) Uneven distribution and some remains isolated which limits development Declining population due to low birth rates - Ageing Emigration of skilled workers - brain drain **Cultural** Limited global appeal vs US or SK **Environmental** Severe impacts of industrialisation. Extraction of natural resources - pollution and salination Chernobyl nuclear disaster (part of Ukraine)

Answer 5

**Economy** Indian economy quadrupled between 1997 and 2015. Benefit of English speaking schooling has attracted TNCs - IT sector. Major unis but Infrastructure is very poor in both energy and clean water 20% of population live in poverty Government has severe debt- rupee dropped in value **Political** Largest democracy in the world Founding member of the UN and part of G20 Poor relationships with neighbors like China and Pakistan. **Military** 4th largest military in the world Nuclear arsenal **Demographic** 2nd largest population 1.3B Youthful and massive work force Much outward migration of skilled workforce - brain drain **Cultural** Bollywood is 2nd largest film industry Famous cuisine world wide Religion **Environment** High biodiversity Large slums 3rd largest producer of CO2

Answer 6

**Economy** Major player in global investment - BRI - Cobalt in DRC Modern infrastructure throughout country - High speed rail throughout the country. Massive growing economy and educated workforce but Due to large population GDP per capita is only 10% of USA's Rising wages in China mean TNC's are relocating to cheaper places eg. Bangladesh Aeging population and One child policy effects may cause the economy to collapse **Military** China has the world's largest army but it is very poorly equipped. Limited global reach Limited blue water navy - few overseas bases and only 3 aircraft carriers **Political** Avoids getting involved in global crises and giving aid which limits its global relations. Authoritarian party **Demographic** World's largest population allows for large workforce. Former one child policy has created an aeging population. Low retirement ages Very little inward migration **Cultural** Few global brands But growing influence due to investment into other countries eg. China **Environmental** World's largest CO2 producer River's polluted by factories Very poor air qualities

Answer 7

Another cold war esc? - China growing militarily and influence other regions - Arms race (=competition of military superiority) Strong economic and population growth in Asia lead to conflict over resources for water and energy. Already high western demand

Answer 8

World Economic Forum is an IGO Meet annualy in Davos - Switzerland Not for profit organisation that promotes public private cooperation. Opportunity for TNC's to network with world leaders.

Answer 9

Mass increase in global trade due to TNC facilitated global shift of manufacturing - spatial division of labour. Mass increase in exports from developing countries. This has increased the power of TNCs as profits have become so large due to **economies of scale** 2013 - TNCs account for 80% of global trade 'Overall, TNCs facilitated the global shift by outsourcing production, exploiting global inequalities in labour costs, and creating global production networks enabled by technological advances and supportive government policies.'

Answer 10

TNCs and national governments invest heavily in research and development in order to fuel innovation. To protect this investment 1995 the WTO agreed that all members must protect the rights of new inventions through **intellectual property rights**. This prevents ideas being stolen. ISSUES: Patents developed by pharmaceutical companies make many medicines unaffordable for poorer countries. eg. SSA cannot access antiretrovirals for treating HIV

Answer 11

Responsible for preventing conflict 15 members at any one time - 5 permanent members 10 on rotation biannually. 5 permanent members can veto any decision - these are the 5 countries who had the largest economies at the time the second world war ended. Can place sanction on countries that are deemed to be a security risk eg. North Korea. Authorise military force against another country Deploys peacekeeping forces - sometimes limited by mandate. Challenges: - Accused of selective intervention due to the interest of the 5 permanent members which undermines its credibility eg. Libya 2011 - Russia and China did not prevent NATO intervention Syria - Russia vetoed intervention as Russia was ally of Assad's regime. Russia claimed that NATO did more than intervene and they forced a regime change. - Enforcement issues - North Korea's continued nuclear developement despite sanctions - Representation/ Outdatedness - Lack of representation for emerging powers like India. Brazil and Nigeria

Answer 12

The UN's judicial branch - settles legal disputes between UN states. **Promoting peaceful resolution** Challenges: - Relies on international cooperation to bring in certain criminals - Only 5/42 criminals convicted

Answer 13

**NATO** - Formed during the cold war - has an effective collective defence principle. Effectiveness shown post 9/11 as it efficiently mobilised member states. **ANZUS** - security in the pacific region. NZ partial suspension due to its anti nuclear policy limits the full potential of the alliance.

Answer 14

**EU** 28 member states with free trade and now people. Boosts economic growth and stability in the region - introduction of the euro in 1999 - **combined is the second largest economy in the world** Social concerns also enforced collaboratively with the **European convention of Human rights**. Challenges - maintaining unity - BREXIT Tensions within countries calling for greater convergence and right wing parties wanting more separation. **ASEAN** 10 SE Asian Nations. Promote regional economic growth and stability - allows conversations on security issues (area of previous conflict) Challenges - slows down decision making mainly as many different priorities with differing government types. **NAFTA** Free trade block between Mexico, Canada and the US. Benefitting Canada and US as they have relocated much manufacturing to Mexico for lower labour costs. Has lead to job loss however so Trump threatening to leave for protectionist measures

Answer 15

**Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change** MONITORS (not funds) peer reviewed scientific research. USED TO INFORM POLICY DECISIONS Pivotal in shaping international climate agreements such as Paris Agreement. Challenges - Its recommendations depend on the political will of the individual nations

Answer 16

Annual climate conferences - COP Tries to establish legally binding agreements for all developed countries to reduce greenhouse emissions. COP 2011-2015 culminated in the Paris Agreement 2015 Highest number of signatures to date. Trump has withdrawn from the agreement - climate change denier

Answer 17

**USA** Shown leadership in reducing emissions and massively increased wind energy and positive ecological practices. Trump has withdrawn however from Paris Agreement and is not committed to reducing Carbon emissions. **China** Agreed to work towards an emissions peak in 2030. Working on world's biggest solar farm. Still however using massive amounts of fossil fuels (still developing however)

Answer 18

More countries entering rostow's high mass consumption stage of the modernisation model. **INCREASED MIDDLE CLASS** - Higher demand for varied and volume of food types - Meat and dairy products - Methane emissions - rising food prices - Water scarcity - more required for larger houses and appliances - clothing production etc.... 2030 60% of places in India will experience water scarcity - Energy security - Oil prices rise as demand does. Countries who are not self sufficient will be vulnerable to exploitation - Resource scarcity - Demand for rare earths. Risk of increasing tensions

Answer 19

**Highly resource rich** - 13% of undiscovered oils -30% of undiscovered natural gas - Source of rare earth minerals **New shipping routes emerging as a result of climate change** - Northern sea route - Russia Shorten trade route between Asia and Europe

Answer 20

UNCLOS National Laws of Arctic states Arctic council - non binding decision making between the 8 arctic countries

Answer 21

Each country has a territorial claim of 12 miles of their coastline. For 200 nautical miles off the coast countries can claim for an exclusive economic zone (EZZ)

Answer 22

Responsible for 20% of exports Reopening of military bases from soviet era Expanding Northern Sea Route control

Answer 23

Investing in infrastructure and research in the Arctic Promotes the 'polar silk road' with Russia Declared itself as a near Arctic state.

Answer 24

Expanding Arctic infrastructure US threatening Greenland takeover for military protection/ resources. Finland and Sweden joined NATO in 23/24 Increased military presence.

Answer 25

Shortest missile route between Russia and the US

Answer 26

Ice melting making trade routes eg. Northern Trade Route more navigable. Reduce Suez Canal reliance

Answer 27

Economic cost of Arctic expansion is too high Region not currently vital to SP - may turn into UNCLOS is a legal framework (relatively weak)

Answer 28

Undermines intellectual property rights Loss of income and tax loss. Manufacturing is unregulated - unsafe working conditions/ unsafe drugs.

Answer 29

10% 2/3 in China eg. Silk street, Bejing

Answer 30

**Strategic control:** Wants to extend its blue military presence Can exert greater political influence and challenge other superpowers eg. US **Economic interests** Rich in natural resources **Major global trade route** - enhance control over global trade.

Answer 31

**Increased military presence** - construction of artificial islands with military equipment. **Gray zone tactics** - aggressive actions which stop short of open warfare. **Created the 9 dash line** - this attempt to extend territorial claim was rejected by UNCLOS

Answer 32

**Increased military spending and military miscalculations** this may lead to conflict if they are not deescalated. Economic development of ASEAN nations may mean that they look to the South China Sea for energy resources. Become contested over.

Answer 33

Alliance between the West, Israel and Arab Monarchies vs alliance of Syria, Iran, Russia and China. Invasion an occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan lead by US militaries to create stable governments and remove weapons of mass destruction has lead to questions surrounding the true motives - protect oil and gas supplies? - Mistrust in British and US governments. Refugee crisis as people flee Syria and Iraq to Jordan and Lebanon has put strain on these countries. Israel Palestinian conflict further puts strain on the region

Answer 34

**Religion** - Clashes between Shia and Sunni Muslims fight against each other in proxy wars eg. Yemen. **Oil and gas** - 65% of crude oil comes from Middle East **History** - colonial powers drawing borders that separate cultures

Superpowers Flashcards

(59 cards)