Superpowers EQ1

What is the definition of a superpower, and can you provide an example of a superpower?

What is the definition of a superpower, and can you provide an example of a superpower?

A superpower is a country with the ability to project its dominating power and influence anywhere in the world. An example of a superpower is the United States (USA).

Name two emerging superpowers and describe what characteristics make them emerging superpowers.

Emerging superpowers are countries with a large role in one or more superpower characteristics and with growing influence. Examples of emerging superpowers include China, Brazil, India, and Russia.

Define the term "regional powers" and provide examples of regional powers in Europe and the Middle East.

Regional powers can project dominating power and influence over other countries within the continent or region. Examples of regional powers include the United Kingdom, Germany, and France in Europe, as well as Saudi Arabia and Iran in the Middle East, and South Africa and Nigeria in Africa.

How many superpower characteristics are there, and what are they?

There are six superpower characteristics: Economic, Political, Military, Cultural, Demographic, and Natural Resources.

Explain the economic characteristic of a superpower and list some indicators of economic power.

The economic characteristic of a superpower includes having a large GDP, a high percentage of international trade, and a currency used as a reserve currency. A large GDP creates influence as a potential market and as the home of TNCs (Transnational Corporations) which create Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Which country has the world's largest total GDP, and why is a large GDP considered a significant factor in defining a superpower?

The United States has the world's largest total GDP, which is approximately $18.5 trillion, making it a significant economic superpower.

Describe the political characteristic of a superpower and how it can influence the policies of other countries.

The political characteristic of a superpower involves the ability to influence the policies of other countries through the dominance of negotiations, both bilaterally and through international organizations.

What factors might determine a country's voting power in international organizations?

Factors that might determine a country's voting power in international organizations include economic contribution, historical role in founding organizations (e.g., the United Nations), population size, and other forms of dominance in superpower characteristics.

How does military power contribute to a country's status as a superpower, and what are some indicators of military power?

Military power contributes to a country's status as a superpower by providing global reach to achieve geopolitical goals. Indicators of military power include army size, defense spending, nuclear weapons, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), the size of the blue water navy, being a major arms exporter, and presence in or leading international military organizations.

Which country has the most active nuclear warheads, and how does this contribute to its military power?

Russia has the most active nuclear warheads, with approximately 1790, while the United States is in second place with around 1750, contributing to their military power.

Explain the cultural characteristic of a superpower and how it can influence other countries.

The cultural characteristic of a superpower involves the ability to influence the beliefs, values, ideology, and way of life in other countries. This is achieved through dominance in media, the spread of cultural products, and imposition of viewpoints in international agreements.

Provide examples of how a country can achieve cultural influence in other nations.

Examples of achieving cultural influence include the global spread of music, fashion, food, language, and religion. The USA has a high percentage of the world's 20 largest TNCs, which contribute to cultural influence.

What is the demographic characteristic of a superpower, and how does a large population contribute to a country's power?

The demographic characteristic of a superpower involves having a large population, which leads to a large diaspora and workers at TNCs, assisting economic power through a large market and economies of scale.

Which country has the largest population in the world?

India has the largest population globally, with approximately 1.4 billion people, which contributes to its status as an emerging superpower.

Define the resources characteristic of a superpower and explain why control of physical resources is important.

The resources characteristic of a superpower involves control of access to physical resources such as energy and minerals, providing inputs for economic growth and military power.

Give an example of an organization related to resources that can impact a country's economic and military power.

OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), which controls a significant portion of the world's oil resources and influences oil prices and global politics.

What is a 'hyperpower'?

A 'hyperpower' is a term used to describe a globally dominating superpower. e.g GB until 1910, USA later.

What is hard power, and how does it seek to influence other countries?

Hard power involves using military and economic influence, such as trade deals and sanctions, to force a country to act in a particular way.

Define soft power and provide examples of its components.

Soft power is a more subtle form of persuasion that relies on a country's respect and appeal. It includes political persuasion (diplomacy) and cultural influence.

Which countries are often ranked highly in international rankings of soft power?

International rankings of soft power, such as those by Monocle magazine, often place the USA, UK, France, and Germany at the top. These rankings typically feature Western liberal democracies.

Who coined the terms "hard power" and "soft power," and in which year?

The political scientist Joseph Nye of Harvard University coined the terms "hard power" and "soft power" in 1990.

According to Joseph Nye, what approach is most successful in the 21st century?

Joseph Nye argues that the most successful countries in the 21st century are those that combine hard and soft power into a smart power approach, which involves a combination of coercion (the 'stick') and attraction (the 'carrot').

Describe the spectrum of mechanisms for maintaining power.

Mechanisms for maintaining power range from hard power (such as military force) to soft power (such as diplomacy and cultural influence). Trade agreements and selective development aid lie somewhere in between.

Which power approach, hard or soft, is more likely to be expensive and risky?

Hard power, which includes threats of force or military action, can be expensive and risky.

What are some potential drawbacks of relying on hard power alone?

Relying solely on hard power can lead to the loss of allies and moral authority, as others may view military action as unnecessary or illegal.

What does soft power depend on for its effectiveness?

Soft power depends on a country having a respected culture, values, and politics, which may persuade some countries but not others.

Why is soft power considered to be low cost and potentially influential in creating alliances?

Soft power, when applied effectively, is low cost and can lead to the creation of alliances and friendly relations, potentially spreading to other countries.

Give an example of hard power being used by the USA.

An example of hard power used by the USA is the organization and leadership of the coalition that expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait in the First Gulf War in 1991.

Provide an example of soft power in action, as demonstrated by the UK.

The UK's soft power includes diplomacy, a large network of diplomats and embassies, moral authority, the BBC World Service, cultural exports like films and literature, and its significant presence in international finance, banking, and law through the City of London.

What were the common mechanisms for achieving and maintaining power in the past?

In the past, military force and hard power were the common mechanisms for achieving and maintaining power.

What idea about power was significant in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries?

In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the idea that power came from controlling vast land areas was important.

Who produced the influential geo-strategic location theory known as the Heartland Theory, and in what year?

The British geographer Halford Mackinder produced the Heartland Theory in 1904.

Describe the Heartland as defined in the Heartland Theory.

The Heartland is an area of eastern Europe and central/northern Asia, bordered by the Himalayas, the Russian steppes, and the Arctic. It is characterized by physical barriers that make it difficult to invade.

What was the primary objective of the Heartland Theory in terms of Russia?

The Heartland Theory influenced countries like the USA, UK, and other European nations to believe that Russia needed to be 'contained,' preventing it from expanding outward by taking over new areas close by.

What idea did the Heartland Theory reinforce?

The Heartland Theory reinforced the geostrategic idea that control of physical resources, including land and mineral wealth, was important for maintaining power.

Why do the ideas associated with the Heartland Theory seem antiquated in the 21st century?

In the 21st century, modern military technology, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles, can penetrate deep into another country's territory, making size less of a protective factor. Additionally, physical resources are traded internationally, reducing the need to control them domestically. War and conflict are also less accepted as means of gaining power in the modern era.

What is soft power, and how has it become more common in the 21st century?

Soft power involves gaining influence and maintaining power through economic and political alliances. In the 21st century, soft power has become more common as countries create these alliances to exert influence globally.

Provide an example of a situation where hard power was still used in recent times by the USA.

The USA invaded Iraq in 1991 and again in 2003, partly to secure oil supplies, showcasing the use of hard power.

Give an example of Russia's use of hard power in recent years.

Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine/Crimea in 2014, claiming to be protecting ethnic Russians, demonstrating the application of hard power. On the 24th of February 2022, Russia started a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

During which historical period was there an imperial era dominated by empires?

The imperial era dominated by empires occurred from 1500 to 1950.

Which European powers were involved in conquering land in the Americas, Africa, and Asia during the imperial era?

European powers such as Spain, Portugal, Britain, France, and Germany were involved in conquering land in the Americas, Africa, and Asia during the imperial era.

What were the key factors that contributed to the development of empires during this era?

The development of empires relied on powerful navies, large armed forces, government-owned businesses for resource exploitation, fleets of merchant ships, and people from the home country to act as the government and civil service in the colonies.

How were empires typically maintained during this period?

Empires were maintained directly by force, and attempts by conquered people to rebel against the colonial power were brutally suppressed.

Which European country had the largest empire and reached its peak in 1920?

Britain had the largest empire, and it reached its peak in 1920 when it controlled 24% of land globally.

When did empires generally come to an end, and why did European countries grant independence to their colonies?

Empires generally came to an end in the period from 1950 to 1970. European countries granted independence to their colonies because the costs of maintaining them became too high as Europe rebuilt after World War II.

In the post-imperial era, which country has effectively acted as a colonial ruler over Tibet, and how has it suppressed dissent?

Since 1950, China has effectively acted as a colonial ruler of Tibet and has brutally suppressed dissent during rebellions by Tibetans in 1959 and 2008.

What factors have made multi-faceted, indirect control more important in the contemporary geopolitical landscape?

Multi-faceted, indirect control, including political, economic, military, and cultural aspects, has become more important due to factors such as the Cold War era and the emergence of China as a potential rival to the USA's hegemony.

During the imperial era, what efforts were made to exert control over colonies in ways other than through military force, particularly in British India?

Even during the imperial era, there were attempts to control colonies using mechanisms other than the military. In British India, English culture was encouraged, including English schools and language, competitive sport (cricket), and dress.

Why is indirect control the primary method of exerting power in the contemporary world, especially considering that no superpower or emerging power currently has a significant empire?

Today, no superpower or emerging power has a significant empire. As a result, control of other places and people has to be indirect.

What are some examples of political mechanisms used for indirect control in the modern world?

Examples of political mechanisms for indirect control include dominance in international decision-making bodies like the United Nations, G7, and World Trade Organization, where some countries have disproportionate influence.

How does military power play a role in indirect control, and what strategies are used to maintain it?

Military power in indirect control involves the threat of large, powerful armed forces with global reach. Strategies include selective arms trading, providing weapons to key allies while avoiding arming potential enemies.

Explain how economic alliances are used for indirect control, and what role do trade deals and trade blocs play in this strategy?

Economic alliances are created through trade deals and trade blocs, fostering interdependence between like-minded countries and promoting economic influence as an indirect means of control.

What is the role of culture in indirect control, and how is it spread globally?

Culture is used as a tool for indirect control through global media, arts, culture, and global Transnational Corporation (TNC) brands to spread a country's ideology, beliefs, ideas, and values through consumer culture.

During the Cold War era, how did the USA and USSR seek allies and exert influence on other countries?

During the Cold War era, the USA and USSR sought allies through military alliances (e.g., NATO and Warsaw Pact), foreign aid to buy support, and support for corrupt regimes in exchange for their backing.

What is neo-colonialism, and how does it relate to indirect control?

Neo-colonialism is an indirect mechanism where Western nations continue to control their ex-colonies in the developing world. It includes debt-aid relationships, poor terms of trade, and the loss of productive people to developed countries.

What challenges and actions have arisen with the rise of China as an emerging power in the 21st century?

The rise of China has led to accusations of neo-colonial actions in Africa, as well as challenges to the hegemony of the USA and former colonial powers (France and Britain) in the region.

What are the three patterns of power that can characterize global dynamics, and how do they differ?

Three patterns of power include uni-polar (one dominant superpower), bi-polar (two opposing superpowers), and multi-polar (many broadly equal powers with regional influence but less global influence).

How have patterns of power changed over time, and can you provide examples for different periods?

Patterns of power have changed over time, with examples including the British Empire in the 1800-1919 period (uni-polar), the Inter-war period of 1919-1939 (multi-polar), the Cold War between the USA and USSR from 1945-1990 (bi-polar), and the globalized era led by the USA from 1990-2030 (uni-polar).

What remains uncertain regarding the future patterns of power, especially after 2030?

The future patterns of power after 2030 are uncertain and could be uni-polar, bi-polar, or multi-polar, impacting geopolitical stability.

Which pattern of power is generally considered more stable, and what are some characteristics of it?

A uni-polar world is often considered more stable as there is one dominant superpower. However, sustaining hegemony can be costly, and the dominant power may become involved in various global issues.

What are some potential benefits and challenges of a uni-polar world, using the example of the USA as 'the world's policeman'?

A uni-polar world can provide stability, but the costs of being a hegemon can be high. The example of the USA as 'the world's policeman' involves involvement in multiple trouble spots, which may increase stability but also comes with challenges.

How would you describe the stability and risk level of bi-polar situations, such as the Cold War?

Bi-polar situations like the Cold War involve a tense stand-off between opposing superpowers and can be described as 'scary but stable.' However, there were occasions during the Cold War where the USA and USSR came close to a 'hot' war, increasing the risk.

What were some consequences of the multi-polar world between the First and Second World Wars?

The multi-polar world during this period had no dominant power, which some argue created a power vacuum that allowed the rise of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, as no country was prepared to stop them.

How might the future patterns of power, especially after 2030, impact geopolitical stability, and what are some potential scenarios?

After 2030, the world could become bi-polar (e.g., USA and China) or more multi-polar (e.g., USA, China, India, EU), which would have a significant impact on geopolitical stability.

What emerging countries are considered increasingly important to global economic and political systems, and why are they significant to global environment governance?

Emerging countries like Brazil, Russia, India, China (BRIC), and other G20 members are considered increasingly important to global economic and political systems. They are also significant in global environment governance, particularly in the context of the UN Climate Change Conference.

Which emerging power is most likely to challenge the USA's current hegemony, and what are some reasons for this potential rivalry?

The most likely rival to the USA's current hegemony is China. China's potential as a rival stems from its huge human resources, significant economic growth since 1990, global engagement, and military ambitions, including the development of a blue water navy.

What has been the trend in the share of world GDP for Europe, the USA, China, and India since 1945?

Europe's and the USA's share of world GDP has been in decline since about 1945. In contrast, China and India, after declining until about 1960, are becoming increasingly significant to the global economy, and this trend is expected to continue.

What are some likely roles for emerging powers in the near future, particularly in global organizations and international affairs?

Emerging powers in the near future are likely to demand more say in global organizations like the United Nations and have more influence in global financial decision-making at institutions like the World Bank, IMF, and WTO. They may also play a greater role in international peacekeeping missions and disaster response as their military capacity grows.

Why is it important for emerging powers like the BRIC countries to be involved in global environment governance agreements like the one at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015?

Emerging powers, including the BRIC countries, are responsible for a significant portion (42%) of global carbon dioxide emissions. Their involvement in global environment governance agreements is crucial to addressing climate change, unlike the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which primarily involved developed countries.

What are some strengths and weaknesses of China as an emerging power?

China has strengths such as being the 2nd largest GDP, a powerful manufacturing economy, and growing military power and technology. However, it also faces weaknesses including an ageing population, reluctance to engage with global problems, and environmental issues.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of India as an emerging power?

India is the 7th largest GDP and has strengths including a youthful population with demographic potential and global leadership in IT technology. Weaknesses include widespread poverty, poor energy and transport infrastructure, and a lack of water resources.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Brazil as an emerging power?

Brazil, the 9th largest GDP, boasts strengths like vast natural resources and farming potential, but it faces weaknesses such as economic boom and bust cycles and limited military strength.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Russia as an emerging power?

Russia, with the 12th largest GDP, has strengths like a powerful, nuclear-armed military and large oil and gas reserves. However, it struggles with difficult relations with the rest of the world and an ageing population.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Japan as an emerging power?

Japan, the 3rd largest GDP, has strengths like a technologically advanced economy and global TNCs. However, it deals with weaknesses including an ageing, declining population and slow economic growth since 1990.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Mexico as an emerging power?

Mexico, the 15th largest GDP, has strengths as an advanced economy and part of NAFTA but faces a poor reputation for crime and corruption.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Nigeria as an emerging power?

Nigeria, the 26th largest GDP, has strengths like untapped natural resources and a vast population with growth potential. However, it deals with weaknesses such as deep-seated poverty and internal conflict.

What challenges do countries with ageing or declining populations face in the future, and what are some issues related to physical resources and pollution?

Countries with ageing or declining populations, like Russia, Japan, some EU countries, and even China, face challenges in paying for increasingly costly healthcare while their workforce shrinks. Shortages of physical resources may affect countries like India, while pollution could stall the growth of others like China.

Why is Development theory (World Systems Theory, Dependency Theory, Modernisation Theory) helpful in terms of power?

Can be used to help explain changing patterns of power. 

What is Modernisation Theory, and what are its key preconditions for economic development?

Modernisation Theory, by W. W. Rostow, suggests that economic development begins when certain preconditions are met, including modern infrastructure, education, banking, and effective government.

What is Dependency Theory, and what does it argue about the relationship between developed and developing countries?

Dependency Theory, by A.G. Frank, argues that the relationship between developed and developing countries is one of dependency, preventing economic progress. It attributes this dependency to neo-colonial mechanisms and a net transfer of wealth from developing to developed nations.

What is World Systems Theory, and how does it view the global system of nations?

World Systems Theory, by Immanuel Wallerstein, views the global system in terms of core, semi-periphery, and periphery nations. It does not see the world as merely developed versus developing but rather as a global system with emerging economies as semi-periphery nations.

How do Modernisation Theory, Dependency Theory, and World Systems Theory relate to the current patterns of developed, emerging, and developing countries?

Modernisation Theory is useful in explaining how some countries become wealthy. Dependency Theory highlights the dependency relationship between developed and developing countries. World Systems Theory fits well with the current patterns of developed, emerging, and developing countries. None of these theories are especially good at explaining why some countries become superpowers.