Superpowers Flashcards

Question

Explain how tensions can increase between countries over the acquisition of physical resources such as oil (6)

Answer 1

ARCTIC - Many different countries such as Russia, China and the USA are in a bid to control the North Pole region due to the vast oil reserves with some describing the situation as the ‘New Cold War’ - This has led to increased tensions due to the untapped oil and natural gas believed to be worth over $35 trillion with China and Russia believing the money would allow them to challenge USA’s currently uni-polar structure as a superpower - In response, USA is considering bolstering military presence in the region as well as strengthening alliances in the area. SOUTH CHINA SEA - In response to claims by Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, China has built man-made islands (spratly islands) in the region to further gain access to waters that were previously untouched. - China has treated the region as a military base causing tensions. - 80% of global trade travels through the area and so China are creating tensions by suggesting taxation in the region.

Answer 2

Economically China has experienced annual GDP growth rates of 6-10% since the early 1990s and its total GDP of US$12 trillion is the second largest in the world after the USA’s $18 trillion. However, Chinese income per person is much lower at around $8,000 compared with the USA’s $55,000. In addition, the USA has a larger number of global TNCs, especially ones that operate globally such as Apple, Nike and CNN. Not only do these TNCs generate wealth but they are culturally influential, spreading USA values and ideology worldwide. China’s TNCs are state-owned enterprises such as banks, oil and mining companies that lack a global profile and therefore have little cultural influence. That said, China is a key location in the global production chain for most global manufacturing TNCs and so is a crucial part of the globalised economy.

Answer 3

The strength of the US economy allows it to invest heavily in military technology. The USA spends US $580 billion each year on its military and defence, compared with $130 billion in China. US military assets are deployed worldwide. It has naval bases in Japan and Italy, a fleet of aircraft carriers and nuclear armed missiles. The US has global military reach which China does not possess and is unlikely to in the near future. A combination of military power and the cultural influence of the USA through brands and global media mean its ideology is the hegemonic one.

Answer 4

China’s key weakness is its limited geopolitical role. Whereas the USA tends to operate as the ‘global policeman’, intervening in conflicts and crisis response worldwide, China tends not to get involved in geopolitics in places that are beyond its immediate borders. The USA is seen as a global leader by other countries. Conversely, China might be viewed as avoiding getting dragged into costly, dangerous situations such as the Afghanistan conflict 2001-2014 and Syrian conflict 2011-ongoing.

Answer 5

- Direct influence = colonial control or military influence | - Indirect influence = neo colonial influence (spreading of western culture)

Answer 6

-ERA 1 (British Empire) -Initially, British Empire conquering by military force and using its global navy to protect global supply routes, but later attempting to influence its empire in more indirect ways such as imposing British culture, legal systems and civil service on its empire. -ERA 2 (Colonial Era) -This era existed until 1950/60 and saw direct influence as still important but saw a shift towards indirect power with the World Bank 1944 and IMF 1945 seeing provisions put in place to avoid conflict ERA 3 (Modern Day) -Today, the world's true global superpower the US chooses to act with soft power using the influence of Westernisation to spread its ideology via cultural traditions on a global scale. E.g. Maharaja burger COUNTER FOR ERA 3 -China military expanding rapidly after developing its economic status with a military budget increase of 10% since 2015 to $175 billion. Suggesting preparing itself for shift to direct power in the future -2014, after Russia invaded Ukraine the EU and USA froze Russian funds in their banks and ordered to stop trading with them.

Answer 7

Economically China has experienced annual GDP growth rates of 6-10% since the early 1990s and its total GDP of US$12 trillion is the second largest in the world after the USA’s $18 trillion. However, income per person is much lower in the emerging superpowers as seen in China at around $8,000 compared with the USA’s $55,000. Moreover, Russia’s GDP per capita of $10,400 and India’s of just $1,560 show a huge gap. In addition, the USA has a larger number of global TNCs, especially ones that operate globally such as Apple, Nike and CNN. Not only do these TNCs generate wealth but they are culturally influential, spreading USA values and ideology worldwide, India can compare somewhat to this with the spreading of Bollywood and Indian cuisine seen in the west becoming the UK’s national dish. Regardless, this does not compare to the USA and even still the other emerging superpower in Russia can not compete. China’s TNCs are state-owned enterprises such as banks, oil and mining companies that lack a global profile and therefore have little cultural influence. That said, China is a key location in the global production chain for most global manufacturing TNCs and so is a crucial part of the globalised economy.

Answer 8

The strength of the US economy allows it to invest heavily in military technology. The USA spends US $580 billion each year on its military and defence, compared with $130 billion in China. US military assets are deployed worldwide. It has naval bases in Japan and Italy, a fleet of aircraft carriers and nuclear armed missiles. The US has global military reach which China does not possess and is unlikely to in the near future. This is also the case with Russia who has a military spending of 4.1% of its GDP. However, its $63 billion annually cannot compete with the USA. A combination of military power and the cultural influence of the USA through brands and global media mean its ideology is the hegemonic one.

Answer 9

China’s key weakness is its limited geopolitical role. Whereas the USA tends to operate as the ‘global policeman’, intervening in conflicts and crisis response worldwide, China tends not to get involved in geopolitics in places that are beyond its immediate borders. The USA is seen as a global leader by other countries. Conversely, China might be viewed as avoiding getting dragged into costly, dangerous situations such as the Afghanistan conflict 2001-2014 and Syrian conflict 2011-ongoing. Whilst, EU leaders such as Macron and Merkel of France and Germany have called for a ‘true European army’ even is this did come to fruition it remains likely the EU would to a large extent support as was the case in Iraq and so would not threaten the USA’s status. Although, Russia has shown its power as with the Crimea invasion it stands little power politically and regularly are condemned by the EU amongst other international bodies.

Answer 10

TRADE -Economic alliances creates interdependence between them. These countries have free trade agreements amongst themselves. In the west these agreements commonly overlap between economic and military alliance. The US has the NAFTA which allows free movement of products with no tariffs and also labour. This guarantees the status of superpowers as they can continue to build a larger work force to grow the economy. A larger economy means a superpower status as this allows countries to control others via soft power and foreign aid.

Answer 11

SPREAD OF CULTURE - Economic alliances also allow TNC’s to spread their products and ideology on a global scale. 12 of the 16 largest corporations in the world come from the USA. This leads to a form of cultural globalisation known as ‘Westernisation’. As is seen in India with the ‘Maharaja burger’ which is a McDonalds burger for halal customers. - Much of the trade the USA carries out is protected by the patent system. This means that when TNCs invest in research and development and bring out new products, only those TNCs benefit because copying their ideas is illegal. TNCs also mean that the USA spreads its cultural influence around the world through globally known brands like Coca-Cola, CNN and Disney. These brands sell the idea of the ‘American dream’. In addition, the USA is an influential member of the World Trade Organization. This inter-governmental organisation has promoted free-trade. This has led to an increase in world trade which has benefited the EU and USA

Answer 12

MILITARY POWER (GLOBAL POLICEMAN) - Military alliances allow for a greater size of military which allows action to be taken against those who do not act in a superpowers favour as seen in Iraq 2003 when Tony Blair and the UK followed the USA into combat. - Also allows the USA to act as ‘global policeman’ in conflict almost acting as a country of higher status than others. Other than NATO the USA also has treaties with New Zealand, Australia and with Japan and South Korea also other parts of Asia. This guarantees peace and also allows the USA to have bases in all corners of the globe to manage potential conflicts.

Superpowers Flashcards

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