Explain China’s belt and road policy
Two new trade routes, the Belt and the Road which aims to enhance connectivity and cooperation between China and countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and beyond through massive investments in transportation, energy and other infrastructure projects
The belt refers to the network of overland routes
The road refers to the network of maritime sea routes
The British Empire during the colonial era
Britain ruled a quarter of the world’s land and a third of the world’s population during its peak
Expansion based on hard power and they invaded other countries and colonised them to maintain its control, during this time the world was considered uni polar
For example the British East India company and the Scramble for Africa
What were some successes of colonial power?
- Railway lines were built throughout and were used to transport goods and the army quickly
- English language spread throughout the empire
- Education for all colonial states was improved
What are some 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 by Britain for large amounts
- Many colonial states did not have their own governments which caused severe protests for independence
- For example the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya was a protest against British rule
Why did many empires collapse?
- After the war, many colonial powers were bankrupt as they had to spend a lot during the war and so couldn’t afford to control and maintain their colonies
- After the wars, colonial powers focused on rebuilding their home countries and so they focused less on the colonies
- Anti colonial movements gained popularity and increasing demand for independence forced colonies out
What have the IMF and World Bank been accused of?
Neo colonialism as they provide loans to developing nations but with high rates of repayment and conditions, and so therefore developing nations become trapped in a cycle of debt
How did the Cold War spark geopolitical tension?
USA and USSR were both dominant powers which clashed
USA is a democratic society based on a capitalist economy whereas the USSR was under communist rule and had a centralised economy
What did the USSR install to act as a shield to the West?
Communist governments in Eastern Europe e.g. Poland and Hungary as these countries were of strategic importance to the USSR due to being able to provide a shield incase the West attacked Russia
What agreement did the countries supporting the USSR sign?
Warsaw Pact
What did the USA do to prevent countries being influenced by communism?
- Created NATO
- After 1945, the USA provided billions of dollars worth of aid to many European nations to rebuild after the wars
- Invested significant amounts into Japan, Singapore, and the Philippines
Why was the space race so significant in the Cold War?
Competition for technological superiority and ideological dominance
Why did the USA fight Vietnam?
As they feared the spread of communism
Why did the USSR collapse?
- Economic stagnation led to inefficiencies and a lack of innovation
- Costly arms race with the United States during the Cold War put strain on the soviet economy
- Rise of nationalism led to demands for independence amongst the 15 soviet republics
Arguments for and against Brazil being an emerging power?
+ Produces 50% of South America’s GDP
+ Large reserves of natural resources
+ Largest population in South America
+ Young population
- Brazil has been very politically unstable in recent years and facing corruption
- Small military
- Pollution is a major issue from mining and oil spills
Arguments for and against Russia being an emerging power?
+ 9th largest economy
+ Large oil reserves
+ Permanent member of the UN security council
+ Nuclear power
+ Large population
- Oil and gas isn’t sustainable for the future
- High levels of inequality
- Aircraft is ageing and unsuitable for modern times
- Extremely ecologically stressed landscapes due to human degredation
Arguments for and against China being an emerging power?
+ China is a major player in global investment especially in Africa
+ A lot has been invested in modern infrastructure e.g. high speed rail
+ Nuclear power
- Low GDP per capita compared to USA
- Small percentage of adult graduates from university
- TNC’s have moved to Bangladesh due to rising wages
- Government run by authoritarian party
- Poorly equiped army
- World’s largest emitter of CO2
Arguments for and against India being an emerging power?
+ Widespread use of English attracts TNC’s
+ World’s largest democracy
+ 4th largest military
+ Nuclear power
+ Large pool of labour available due to young population
+ Bollywood is the largest film industry
- Infrastructure like energy, water and transport is poor
- Government has a lot of debt
- Outward migration of India’s youth leading to brain drain
- Pollution is a major problem, 3rd largest emitter of CO2
South China Sea conflict
- Many countries base their claim on the UN convention of the law of the sea stating that a countries EEZ extends 200 nautical miles adjacent to its coast
- Countries have exclusive rights to all the resources and trade within their EEZ
- Claims by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan
- US has sent military ships and planes near disputed islands in what it calls “freedom of navigation” operations
- China has built artificial islands in order to increase their EEZ to assert territorial sovereignty
What does China argue relating to the South China Sea?
- China is arguing that is has rightful claim to a large amount of it as expressed by the ‘nine dash line’ which represents China’s claim to nearly 90% of the Sea
- Claims based on historical reasons, namely the Parcel and Spratly islands that were once regarded as Chinese
What are China doing to try and claim more of the sea?
- Building artificial islands in the Spratly islands and then building military bases on these islands
- Surrounding the spratly islands with as many military ships as possible
Why are the US and India worried about the South China Sea?
Military threat China poses, as it has many allies in the region, but doesn’t want to go to war with China. The US regularly sends military ships and places to ensure access to key shipping and air routes as it has freedom of navigation
UN smallpox eradication
Through the World Health Organisation, the UN coordinated:
- Mass vaccination campaigns
- Global surveillance systems
- Smallpox was eradicated in 1980
- Saved millions of lives
However…
- Extremely expensive
- Required cooperation from national governments and weaker states struggled with implementation
World Bank poverty reduction in China
World bank supported:
- Rural infrastructure projects
- Education and healthcare improvements
- Over 800 million people lifted out of extreme poverty
However…
- Projects caused environmental damage
- Rising inequality between urban and rural areas
IMF South Korea during 1997 Asian financial crisis
South Korea faced:
- Currency collapse
- Corporate bankruptcies
- IMF coordinated a $58 billion bailout package
- Returned to economic growth within two years
However…
- Unemployment and social hardship due to IMF conditions
- IMF imposed high interest rates and so some claim the crisis initially worsened
