7.7 Spheres of Influence

What are the risks for superpowers who must obtain resources through international trade?

They may have to buy resources at high prices, trade with unfriendly/politically unstable regimes, & risk blocked trade routes & supply during periods of conflict

What are the ways for a country to claim new territory & resources?

Through invasion & conquest of another country’s territory, or claiming offshore, undersea resources by extending a country's exclusive economic zone

What is an exclusive economic zone?

Extends 20 nautical miles offshore from a country's coast, and includes all resources in and under the sea; in some circumstances its size can be extended

Why is the Arctic a desirable area for a country to extend its EEZ into?

Huge oil & gas reserves may exist under the Arctic Ocean

Which countries have claimed EEZ extentions into the Arctic?

USA, Canada, Russia, Denmark

How have attempts at EEZ extention affected the Arctic?

Since 2007, military patrols and activity have increased in the Arctic, as each country shows how interested it is in the area, and willing to defend its claims

What would be the consequences of a potential increase in oil & gas drilling at the Arctic?

Could become a source of diplomatic/physical conflict & there are high risks of environmental disaster in one of the few pristine ecosystems on the planet with a large indigenous Inuit population

How much resource exploitation currently takes place in Antarctica & the Arctic?

No natural resources are exploited at Antarctica and very few at the Arctic

What inventions/discoveries are important elements of human resource power?

New military technology, used for defence or attack& inventions and new products that could bring riches

Who creates most inventions?

Government organisations & TNCs through research & development

What is the purpose of intellectual property (IP)?

Prevents new inventions from being copied illegally, through trademarks, copyright, patent protection & royalty payments for IP usage rights

Why is intellectual property vital?

Without IP, TNCs would be reluctant to invest due to little profit gains, & countries would be reluctant to trade lest their IP fall into the hands others who would steal it

How much do royalty fees amount to annually?

$150-200 billion dollars

Which countries receive 80% of annual royalty fees?

USA, Japan & Western Europe

What crimes are associated with intellectual property?

Intellectual property theft, counterfeiting and industrial espionage

How much of China’s GDP do counterfeited goods account for?

5-8%

How has China infringed intellectual property laws?

Chinese car companies have copied car designs from BMW and Mercedes, and iPhones are widely counterfeited

What are the possible consequences for countries with a high rate of IP infringment?

TNCs are less likely to invest in them, trade deals are made much harder & counterfeit goods can be unsafe, putting their people at risk

What are the total losses from IP infringement worldwide?

$400-600 billion annually

What is a superpower’s sphere of influence?

An area or territory beyond a country's national borders, over which it feels it should have power but without having any formal authority

How has Russia spread its sphere of influence over Eastern Europe?

Eastern European countries attempting to join the EU has angered Russia, leading to their invasions of Georgia & Ukraine + a buildup of NATO armed forces in baltic states

How has Russia spread its sphere of influence over the Middle East & Central Asia?

Since 2011, Russia has been an active ally of Syria, helping the Syrian government fight rebel forces and ISIS; Russia supports Iran, an enemy of US allies Israel and Saudi Arabia

What sphere of influence conflicts have occured in the East China Sea?

Strained relations between North Korea (China ally & nuclear power) & South Korea (US ally); China’s view of SK & Japan as economic competitors; ongoing disputes between all East China Sea countries over land

What sphere of influence conflicts have occured in the South China Sea?

Numerous disputed island; China has aggressively pursued a policy of island settlement and artificial island building to extend its EEZ, and its nine-dash line policies force it to try to control the whole area

What sphere of influence conflicts have occured in Central America?

China has shown increasing interest in funding alternative routes to the Panama Canal between the Atlantic and Pacific - this is an area of traditional US hegemony