Superpowers

What is a superpower?

A superpower is a nation with the ability to project its influence anywhere in the world and be a dominant global force.

What are the four pillars and base for superpower status?

Economic (base)

Pillars: political, cultural, military, and resources

What does the economic base for superpower status mean?

The essential base of a superpower; money is needed to invest in military, exploit resources and develops society (essential for the pillars to be achieved). E.g. USA, China, the EU are some of the largest economies

What does the political pillar for superpower status mean?

The ability to have power within an organisation such as the UN and WTO. This allows countries to ‘get their own way’. E.g. any country with veto power - USA, UK, China, Russia, France

What does the cultural pillar for superpower status mean?

The appeal of a country’s way of life and ideologies (e.g. The American Dream) as well as the spread of their film, music, and food.

What does the military pillar for superpower status mean?

The threat of action can be used for bargaining and military force can achieve political goals. Especially influential for those with blue water navies. E.g. USA’s vast network of military bases across the world.

What does the resources pillar for superpower status mean?

Possession of fossil fuels, minerals, and land can generate economic and geopolitical power. Human resources add demographic weight. E.g. The USA in terms of their raw materials and energy that fuelled their industrialisation. In terms of human capital, India is a good example.

What is a hyperpower?

A lone superpower, a completely dominant superpower such as Britain from 1850-1910 and the USA from 1990-2010.

What is an emerging superpower?

A country that already has a large and/or growing economic, military, and political influence.

What is a regional power?

A country that has major influence at a continental but not global scale, e.g. South Africa which exerts power within Africa.

Who coined the term ‘soft power’?

Joseph Nye in 1990

What is soft power?

Soft power is the ability to influence other countries through cultural, moral, economic, and political appeal.

What is an example of soft power?

The USA through their global media like Hollywood, or American TNCs such as Disney/McDonald’s in many countries that adopt glocalisation. Globalisation makes soft power increasingly important.

What is hard power?

Hard power is where a country expresses its influence through coercive methods/by force. This can be through economic sanctions, military force, or threat.

What is an example of hard power?

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 is an example of hard power through military force.

Also the UK and USA’s sanctions on Iran because of its nuclear program.

What is sharp power?

Sharp power refers to the power of manipulation, and it is designed to distract, confuse, and destabilize targeted nations.

What is an example of sharp power?

China’s sharp power: censors certain social media platforms, and flow of information is controlled by state-directed media projects

What is smart power?

A combination of hard and soft power, utilising components of both hard and soft power, for example military threat and cultural influence.

What is an example of smart power?

The USA as they pose a huge military threat with a vast number of bases across the globe (hard power), as well as huge cultural influence through their media and TNCs (soft power).

What is Halford Mackinder’s geo-strategic location theory/Heartland Theory?

Was introduced in the early twentieth century. This theory is based on the idea of a ‘pivot area’ or ‘Heartland’ covering a large portion of the Eurasian continent. He argued that it was a key geo-strategic location in the world because it commanded a huge portion of the world’s physical and human resources. Mackinder theorised that whichever country held political control over the Heartland region would in turn exert dominance over the rest of the world.

This suggests that control over land equates to political power. 

How do countries maintain power through hard power mechanisms + example?

Hard power offers quick and direct results for national interests and provides deterrence against adversaries.

For example, NATO/USA military bases that had considerable value during the Cold War.

How do countries maintain power through economic power + example?

Secures favourable trade conditions, promoting a country’s economic interests, creates economic interdependence between member countries.

For example, USMCA is a free trade agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the United States, replacing NAFTA.

How do countries maintain power through soft power + example? 

Persuades countries to support its interests/values, rather than using force or coercion. Creates a desirable image and promotes the spread of their culture and ideologies. 

For example: USA TNCs and Media e.g. McDonalds, Disney, Coca Cola, Apple, Microsoft.

What is a unipolar world + example?

One superpower has dominance e.g. The British Empire or the USA from 1991 following the collapse of the USSR in 1991.

What is a bipolar world  + example?

Two superpowers with opposite ideologies compete for dominance e.g. the USA and the former USSR during the Cold War from 1945-1991.

What is a multi-polar world + example?

Many superpowers and emerging powers compete for dominance in different regions. E.g. the interwar period between 1919-1939 was an imperial era in which European powers dominated invading and taking power in many countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. A multi-polar world might also be seen in the near future.

What is direct control?

Maintaining power over another territory through hard power methods such as colonialism, military conquest, or the establishment of a government and civil service to run the colony.

What is colonial control?

Colonial control refers to the direct control exerted over territories conquered mainly by European powers in the period 1600 to 1900. They were ruled by force with almost no power or influence being given to the original population. It led to imperialism and colonisation.

What is imperialism?

A relationship of political, economic or cultural control between geographical areas.

What is colonisation?

A physical settling of people from a colonial power within their colony.

How did the British gain control?

• The British established trading companies to finance voyages to search for valuable commodities such as spices from East Indies and India.

• The earliest Britons in India weren’t invaders but traded for spices, cotton, and indigo etc.

• Started raising its own army of troops in India.

• In 1875 Britain bought the largest shareholding in the Suez Canal thus occupying Egypt and a major trade route.

• The East India company dominated trade.

How did the British maintain that control?

• The steamship and telegraph were developed to maintain the Empire.

• The ‘All Red Line’ was a precursor to the Internet consisting of a network of underwater telegraph cables.

• Britain’s policy of ‘splendid isolation’ during the era meant that it had almost total global control, played little part in European politics except for the ‘Scramble for Africa’.

• Rebellions were put down with force e.g. Indian rebellion of 1857 concluded with Victoria being crowned Empress of India.

• Sophisticated administrative structures such as the East India company and later the British Raj consolidated power through legislation and centralised governance.

How was the British Empire controlled (e.g. in India)?

• Educated Indians that spoke English occupied lower positions and later were used in colonies in East Africa.

• Symbols of Imperial Power e.g. Presidential Palace built in Delhi by Britain.

• Acculturation took place e.g. cricket, British traditions.

• The British oversaw the building of a rail network enabling exports + efficient movement of troops.

How was the Empire justified?

Modernisation theory stated that the world can be improved by human intervention and achievement, so Europe could improve the world by colonising, saw themselves as superior/civilised compared to native people. The British were natural rulers and wanted to rule the world.

Why did the British Empire decline?

• Economic decline: Britain overspent on the war, went bankrupt and serious signs of economic slowdown, therefore had little to spend on their military force in their colonies.

• Loss of military influence: Move towards a bi-polar world due to growth of the USA.

• Loss of colonies: India was seen as the ‘the jewel in the crown’ therefore after India got independence many other colonies sought independence as well and Empire lost its main colony.