Superpowers Case Studies

Question 1

Mackinder’s Heartland Theory

Answer 1

• Geo-strategic location theory
• If one country controlled the Heartland (Europe and Asia) it would become globally dominant
• It was impenetrable because it was surrounded by mountains, deserts and the arctic.

Question 2

British Empire

Answer 2

• Unipolar world
• Britain ruled over 20% of the world
• Used a mix of hard power and soft power
• An example of hard power is threatening or using military power on other nations
• They used soft power by spreading their culture throughout colonised countries

Question 3

USA/USSR Cold War

Answer 3

• Bipolar world
• Neo- colonialism (Indirect form of control)
• USA and Russia had indirect wars where they backed other countries (Korean War)
• Never a direct war between them

Question 4

China in Africa

Answer 4

• China is Africa’s top business partner
• 80% of Chinese Imports where mineral products from Africa
• China invested $1.8 billion in Africa in 2022
• China imports cheap raw materials and export expensive manufactured goods back to Africa

Question 5

Modernisation Theory

Answer 5

Countries develop in 5 stages
- Developing country
- Rapid growth of manufacturing industries
- New tech improves industries
- Mass consumption as people have more wealth
- People maximise leisure at home

Question 6

Dependency Theory

Answer 6

• Periphery countries provide a range of services to core
• Developed countries control the development of developing countries by exploiting them
• Assumes all countries are stuck in core or periphery

Question 7

World Systems Theory

Answer 7

• Countries can change between periphery, semi-periphery and core
• Core regions use semi-periphery regions for cheap manufacturing in return for FDI
• Semi-periphery regions get raw materials from periphery regions
• Periphery regions do not benefit from profits.

Question 8

United Nations Security Council

Answer 8

• Main global mechanism for maintaining international peace and security
• 5 permanent members and 10 rotating non-permanent members that change every 2 years
• USA, UK, France, Russia and China are permanent
• Any of the 5 perm members can veto a decision
• USA, UK and France vote together and Russia and China vote together

Question 9

Arctic - Contested Sphere of Influence

Answer 9

• Has 25% of the Worlds oil and gas
• Russia, US, Norway, Canada and Denmark all have claims on some of the arctic
• Will open the Northeast Passage which is a shorctut for trade between Europe and Asia
• Over 50 military bases built showing countries are willing to fight over resources

Question 10

Ukraine - Contested Sphere of Influence

Answer 10

• Ukraine used to be part of the Soviet Union so Russia believes it still has claim over the land
• Russia invaded Crimea
• Russia invaded Ukraine to prevent them joining NATO as they wanted to have influence over Ukraine

Question 11

China Sea - Contested Sphere of Influence

Answer 11

• China is claiming land and sea in the South and East China Sea
• By claiming more islands, its sphere of influence is growing
• These areas are militarily important for China as they are oceans they should control
• China has been building islands in the sea to gain extra control

Question 12

The Middle East

Answer 12

• There are many tensions in the Middle east due to being oil rich- they have 56% of known oil reserves
• There is also terrrorism by ISIS, Al-Quade and the Taliban against Superpowers like USA (9/11)
• War between Palestine and Israel

Question 13

USA and UK - Unilateral action on Iraq

Answer 13

• The UK and USA invaded Iraq unilaterally due to the threat of Nuclear weapons
• The UN did not allow for the invasion of Iraq
• Nuclear weapons where not found however USA and UK did extract oil during the invasion

Question 14

Exclusive economic zones

Answer 14

• 200 nautical miles from coast
• Tensions in South and East China sea