Superpowers eq3

Question 1

sphere of influence

Answer 1

the territorial area that a country has influence over

Question 2

Political impacts of the Arctic

Answer 2

• America has tried 4 times to buy Greenland with an aggressive approach and utilising the media
• Russia has claimed 46% of the Arctic
• China and Russia built relationships over the ice caps melting
• Canada argues that they own the North Western Route as it is in their waters

Question 3

Military impacts and the Arctic

Answer 3

American VP Vance visited the US military base in Greenland

Question 4

economic impacts and the Arctic

Answer 4

• natural resources like gold and oil in Greenland ($2.5 trillion worth)
• may contain 20-25% of the world’s oil and gas reserves
• China want iron ore, copper and gold

Question 5

environmental impacts and the Arctic

Answer 5

ice caps melting means resources are becoming accessible

Question 6

Examples of contested places

Answer 6

the Arctic and the South China Sea

Question 7

South China Sea background info

Answer 7

• most contested ocean space in the world
• disputes over sovereignty of many small islands
• valuable marine environment and resources

Question 8

Importance of the South China Sea

Answer 8

• link betweeb Indian and Pacific oceans for trade
• 1/3 of global trade passed through
• ships carry $5.3 trillion in trade per year
• important crossroads between cheaper labour and high consumption

Question 9

natural resources and biodiversity in the South China Sea

Answer 9

• reef habitats
• 12% of global fishing catch
• provides employment to 3 million people

Question 10

examples of contested places in the South China Sea

Answer 10

• Archipelagos
• Spratly Islands

Question 11

economic

What impact does Ukraine conflict have on superpowers?

Answer 11

Western aid given to destroy Russian tanks

Question 12

Political

What impact does Ukraine conflict have on superpowers?

Answer 12

Removal of fear that Ukraine will join NATO

Question 13

Military

What impact does Ukraine conflict have on superpowers?

Answer 13

Year round access to black sea for Russian navy

Question 14

Cultural

What impact does Ukraine conflict have on superpowers?

Answer 14

Russian language and culture can be embedded in schools

Question 15

Demographic

What impact does Ukraine conflict have on superpowers?

Answer 15

Additional 40 million poeple who can speak Russian, boosting their ageing population and workforce

Question 16

Resources

What impact does Ukraine conflict have on superpowers?

Answer 16

Access to ‘rare earths’ and fertile farmland in Ukraine for Russia

Question 17

what is the global economic centre shifting from

Answer 17

west to east, primarily due to the rise of East Asian countries like India and China

Question 18

factors driving the shft of the global economic centre

Answer 18

• rapid urbanisation and increased household consumption
• the rise of china and india
• technological advancements
• shift of manufacturing and service jobs

Question 19

impacts of the global economic centre shift

Answer 19

• changes in gloval governance
• changing global policy questions
• economic interdependance

Question 20

political middle east

Answer 20

as major supporter of Isreal USA struggles to maintain a positive influence in the Arab world

Question 21

economic middle east

Answer 21

essential supplier for oil from key states such as Libya, saudi arabia and UAE

Question 22

cultural middle east

Answer 22

religious and ethnic tensions

Question 23

environmental middle east

Answer 23

past conflicts have often resuklted in damage to oil installations, particularly in Kwait following the first Gulf War 1991 and the allied invasion of iraq 2003

Question 24

trump

Answer 24

Trump impacting economic problems by encouraging manufacturing in AMereica and iimplementing large tarrifs on countries like china
- apple put $500 billion investment to create 20,000 new jobs in US

Question 25

What are the current geopolitical issues in the Middle East?

Answer 25

* Iraq previously had Soviet links but became US-aligned. * Sanctions placed on Iran by USA/Japan for nuclear development. * ISIS is opposed by all * Strategic oil reserves and conflicts over water.

Question 26

What key historical events shaped the Middle East?

Answer 26

Sykes-Picot Agreement split Ottoman Empire into zones of influence. Creation of Iraq, Jordan, Israel post-WW2. Ongoing Israeli-Palestinian tensions. Arab League establishment.

Question 27

What are the contrasting cultural ideologies in the region?

Answer 27

Superpowers sold arms to the Middle East (e.g., Syria). Refugees from armed conflict. Turkey torn between NATO ties and Kurdish issues. Region holds 48% of global oil. Transboundary water disputes.

Question 28

Why maintain/increase Navy spending?

Answer 28

Low-cost ships provide strategic strength. High-tech (e.g., US drug runners). South China Sea presence.

Question 29

Why reduce Navy spending?

Answer 29

Costly (e.g., £6bn for 2 UK aircraft carriers). Piracy threats like Somalia debated in importance.

Question 30

Pros and cons of nuclear investment?

Answer 30

+ Deterrence without use (Cold War logic). − Costly (e.g., Trident £100–250bn over 45 yrs), ethically controversial.

Question 30

Air power: cost vs value?

Answer 30

+ Rapid modern response (e.g., Libya 2011). − 2nd most expensive area.

Question 30

Should intelligence be funded?

Answer 30

+ Effective vs terrorism (post-9/11). − Expensive & risky (e.g., Snowden leaks, 2013).

Question 31

What's the issue with space exploration spending?

Answer 31

+ Tech and research value. − Budgets are under threat in Western nations.

Question 32

How has debt affected superpowers?

Answer 32

Global 2008 recession → high debt. UK debt = £2.8 trillion. Leads to austerity, higher taxes.

Question 32

Unemployment issues?

Answer 32

Global shift = job losses (e.g., Detroit). Up to 10% unemployment in EU/US. Creates a vulnerable workforce.

Question 33

What is economic restructuring?

Answer 33

Shift from manufacturing to tertiary/quaternary. Clarke-Fisher model. Disadvantaged communities, rising class divide.

Question 34

What are the social costs of economic problems?

Answer 34

Community decline. Poor living environments. Two-tier economies.