superpowers

What’s a superpower

Nation that’s able to project its influence and be dominant on a global scale

What are the three different type of patterns of power across the world

• Uni polar world means theres only one superpower

• Bipolar world is when there’s two superpowers

• Multipolar means there are multiple superpower

What’s a regional power

State or organisation that exerts significant influence and power within a particular geographical region but not on a global scale like a superpower

What’s an emerging power and example

sovereign stage or union of states with significant rising influence in global affairs e.g Brazil, India, China, Russia, Japan

What’s a hyper power and an example

Unchallenged superpower that’s dominant in all aspects of power e.g USA

What’s the criteria for a superpower

• Economic strength

• Political influence

• Culture/media

• Resources like coal,oil, diamonds

• Demographic

• Military strength e.g. army size and weapons

Why might size be included in the criteria for a superpower

Means greater natural resources, extends influence over a larger number of neighbours e.g Russia has ,argue land are with enormous volumes of natural resources and 14 neighbours

Why is demographic included in criteria for a superpower

• Sufficient number of workers to achieve economic growth e.g. China and India

• Larger population encourage economic growth through markets e.g. EU

• Some countries manage to promote significant economic growth without a large population e.g Singapore

• However,dependent ageing population like in Japan may have negative impacts on economic growth

• Population size affects military strength

• Why is political power important for superpower

Country can affect decisions of other countries because of international organisation and through negotiations between country’s politicians and heads of state. This could be because of military or economic strength so has more influence over other countries

Why is military strength important for superpowers

Countries with a large military may be seen as powerful but types of weapons owned is important like nuclear weapons owned by USA,UK, China, France. Geo strategic positioning of military bases is important - commanding land, air, space and sea in all areas of globe

Why is cultural influence important for superpower

Ability of a country to influence the beliefs m values, customs, lifestyle and ideologies of other countries. Achieved through the film, TV , music , internet, TNCs through foods, migrant populations bring food, dress , religious beliefs and music

What is hard power

Uses economic and military power to try and force countries to behave in certain ways e.g. economic: trade deals and sanctions like on Russia to stop invasion on Ukraine

Use of military- uses force, threats of action, forming military alliances e.g invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 after 9/11

What’s soft power

Use of political and cultural influence to try and persuade countries to behave in certain ways by diplomacy- use of persuasion using ambassadors, politicians and heads of state. Cultural - makes policies and way of life attractive and appealing, promotes beliefs and ideologies of the superpower

Why is UK considered a soft power

It has 281 diplomatic posts in 178 countries and territories. Relationships formed through Commonwealth and British Empire. Popularity of royal family and their role in diplomacy and maintains international relations. Culture- Shakespeare, Austen, Dickens, the Beatles, BBC is one of the worlds trusted broadcasters, Downton Abbey

What is smart power

Combination of hard and soft power

Historically how has power been gained and how has that changed over time

Military force used but now soft power is used

What is Mackinder’s Heartland Theory

• proposed in 1904,

• based on the fact that most of worlds natural resources are found in Asia and Europe.

• Heartland is an area bordered by mountains on three sides and the arctic to the north including China , India and rest of Europe so hard to invade

• Nation controlling heartland would gain control the rest of the world

• This influence world policy as the USA and many European countries believed that Russia needed to be controlled to prevent its dominance

What are criticism of the heartland theory

• Relies heavily on geo locational importance which has decline as technology and transportation have increased

• Large areas of heartland is uninhabitable

• Climate change lead to melted ice so enabled access to heartland

• Mostly applies to hard power influence

How was power directly maintained and controlled in 20th century

Through colonisation (direct colonial control)It was an imperial era , European powers invaded and took power in countries in Africa , Asia , America’s. This was done by large, powerful military forces like navies to transport forces overseas and protect sea routes, ships to transport good backs, large businesses to exploit resources overseas

What was the British Empire

An imperialist system which involved political ,economical and cultural control by the UK to exploit workforces and resources of countries.

How much of the world did the British Empire rule of over by 1922

25% of the worlds land area and 458 million people

What is the British Raj

Period of direct British rule over India from 1858 until the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947

how did the British empire use hard power to control directly in India

• 3 million forced to work in plantation in West Indies and South Africa

• East India Company responsible for 15% of imports coming from India into England

• 1857, East India company had 267,000 soldiers in India

How did the British Empire use soft power to control India

• Military personnel and civil servants taught Indians English - a colonial instrument to oppress the Indian mass

• Acculturation - tea and cricket introduced

• Modernised India with extensive rail networks- to transport coal, cotton, iron to British factories

• Hindu caste systems became more rigid especially between Hindus and Muslims.

• Better off classes educated in English schools, served in British army - joined British to rule their fellow Indians.

How was Indian exports affected by colonial rule

World exports feel from 27% to 2% as East India employees made fortunes. Indian textiles sold in greater volumes to buy slaves for new colonies which made the empire even more powerful.

What’s colonialism

The acquisition of political control over a territory by another country leading to the settlement of that territory

What’s indirect control

Maintaining control through soft power like neo colonialism

What’s neo colonialism

The use of economic, political and cultural power to influence other countries

What’s direct control

Maintaining control though hard power like colonialism

What’s hegemony

Leadership or dominance especially by one state or organisation

What’s acculturation

A process of cultural change that takes place when two different cultures meet. Transfer of dominant culture’s ideas on to subordinate culture

What imperialism

A policy of extending a country’s power and influence over another country through colonisation, use of military force or other means

What’s unipolar world

One superpower at any one time e.g. currently USA

What’s Bi polar world

2 superpowers in the world e,g, Cold War between USA and USSR (1945 - 1991)

What’s a multi polar world

More than two superpowers

What’s an emerging power

Rising influences of a nation or nations which have steadily increased their influence in global affairs

How did power change in the Cold War era

After WW2, the post colonial era from 1945 - 1990 was dominated by the Cold War.

During this bipolar era, USA, USSR dominaged the geopolitical stage

The world saw 2 countries with different political ideologies - capitalism vs communism

What is capitalism

An economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit rather than by state

What’s communism

A theory or system of social organisation in which all property is owned by the community. Its based on a classless system in which the means of production are owned communally and private property is non existent

How did the populations of USA and USSR differ during the Cold War

USA - 287 million in 1989

USSR - 291 million in 1991

How did physical resources differ between USA and USSR in the Cold War

USA -Self sufficient in most raw materials but oil importer

USSR - Self sufficient in most raw material , oil exporter

How did USA and USSR allies differ

USA - Western Europe through NAto, Japan, South Korea

USSR - Eastern Europe, Warsaw pact companies, Cuba

How did military power differ between USSR and USA

USA had worlds largest navy, most powerful air force , rings of bases surrounding USSR, large nuclear arsenal and global network of nuclear bases. Global intelligence gathering CIA

USSR has a very large army, large by outdated naval and air force

Global intelligence gathering called KGB

nuclear weapons troops stationed in Eastern Europe

How does USA and USSR differ in cultural influence

Films, radio and music gave a positive view on consumerism, values, democracy and affluence to a global audience

USSR - exported high culture message focused on ballet, classical music. Strict censorship

Why did USSR collapse

USSR Exonomy was half the size of USA

Competition between two nations led to arms race- post Cuban missile 1962. The USSR resolved to outpace the US in nuclear weapons

USA Spent 9% of its economy on defence

Weaponisation of outer space - USA proposed Strategic Defence Initiative.

How did strategic alliances exert power over developing countries in neo colonial era

Military alliances between developing nations and superpowers. USSR and YSA formed alliances with developing countries to spread global influence via foreign aid

How was aid used to exert influence over developing countries in Neo colonial era

Aid given with conditions to force developing countries to spend in a particular way E.eg. SAPs

How was TNCs used to exert power in Neo colonial era

FDI creates proxy for TNCs and low wages and low skills for developing world. TNCS and trade used to spread cultural influence and grow their economy

How was terms of trades used to enter power over developing nations in Neo colonial era

Developing countries export raw materials and products cheaply but developed countries sell processed foods at a higher price. Superpowers manipulate countless to follow certain trade rules

How is debt used to exert power over developing countries in a Neo colonial era

Debt grows disparity between rich and poor. Developing countries pay back money to superpowers so become more vulnerable as superpowers gain more power. Debt relief schemes like HIPC scheme means developing countries have to follow economic policies of bankers in developing countries such as SAPs

What are some examples of emerging superpowers?

BRIC: Brazil, Russia, India, China

MINTSS: Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey, South Korea, Saudi Arabia

Members of the G20

How are BRIC becoming more powerful?

Large population - all over 140 million

Large economies- all over $1 trillion each year

Contribute to 30% of global GDP

Rapid economic growth since 2000

Large natural resources- Russia has large oil and gas reserves

Large regional power - politically significant within their regions

What are the strengths of Brazil as an emerging power?

Produces over 50% of South Americas GDP - economic

Large amounts of natural resources - economic

Largest military force in South America - military

7th most populated country in the world - demographic

Football Team won World Cup 5 times - Cultural

What are weaknesses of Brazil as an emerging power

Previously impeached president has been re elected

Significant corruption

Limited role in international conflicts

Population distribution is uneven with most living by the coast

What are strengths of India as an emerging power

Member of G20 and UN

Largest democracy in the world

Has diplomatic relations with 201 nations

5th largest economy in the world

Attracts many TNCs and FDI

5th largest military expenditure in the world

Second largest armed force

A nuclear power

Large youthful population that mostly speak English

Bollywood produces more films than Hollywood each year

Indian food is popular in many areas of the world

What are weaknesses of India as an emerging power

Weak regional power as it has poor relations with neighbour like China and Pakistan

100 millions of people are poor

Poor water and energy infrastructure

What are strengths of Russia as an emerging power

9th largest GDP in the world

5th largest military force in the world

A nuclear power

Known for its literature, classical music, art and ballet

What are some weaknesses of Russia as an emerging power

Role in supporting President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria

Invuasion of Ukraine in 2022

Lack of investment by TNCs and FDI

Significant levels of inequality

Ageing weapons

Ageing population