EQ3) What spheres of influence are contested by superpowers and what are the implications of this?

Tensions over economic resources:

IP rights?

Why is this important?

Why could IP be seen as a problem?

• Individuals and government agencies can protect new inventions, trade marks, artistic works and trade secrets with patents

• Innovations can be stolen and used by others, disincentive to invent things, unable to recoup the cost of developing new medicines or technology if others copy the idea.

• Royalties have to be paid to the inventor- problematic for poorer countries, IP holders do not have to make a new invention available, a monopoly could be created where a patent holder can choose to deny their product to people.

Problem with counterfeit goods?

China’s impact on counterfeiting?

• Most counterfeit goods are produced in sweatshops, run by organised crime, profits often support terrorist groups, drug smugglers and street gangs.
  Counterfeit products can be unsafe and even deadly

• As a result of IPR infringement in China, many US firms have reported that their trade secrets have been stolen.
  China’s innovation policies have eroded the competitive positions of US and other foreign firms in China> used as a trade-distorting tactic against US exports of manufactured goods and services; and that it forces US companies to offshore well-paid jobs in engineering

Contested resources:

What resources are contested?

Arctic oil and gas?

• Disputed land border between 2 countries eg)India and Pakistan in dispute over Kashmir
  Disputed landmarks eg) UK and Argentina over the Falkland Islands- may contain offshore oil and gas

• Huge oil and gas reserves may exist under arctic ocean

  This area is beyond the EEZ of Canada, USA, Russia and Denmark

  All these countries have claimed EEZ extensions, which are disputed by others and lodged these within the UN

  Since 2007, military patrols and activity have increased in arctic

Political tensions arising over sphere of influence:

What is sphere of influence?

Contested sphere of influence?

Russia’s recent actions?

• Physical region over which a country believes it has economic, military, cultural or political rights

• Japan and Russia over Kuril Islands, Russia’s western border- invasion of Ukraine/Crimean, nuclear armed Pakistan and India over Kashmir

• Influence using hard power, invasion of Ukraine, redeveloping a former soviet naval base In the Arctic and testing

Russia’s western border?

Impact of increased tension on people and economy?

• -Areas beyond Russia where the Russian language is widely spoken- Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Georgia
  -Russia considers these areas its sphere of influence

  -Following the 1991 collapse of communism and the independence of former soviet republics, several newly independent countries in this sphere have raised possibility of joining the EU and/or NATO

• EU and US economic sanctions following the 2014 Ukraine and Crimea crisis have isolated Russia economically, but also affected EU exporters who cannot longer sell to Russia.

  Led to forced displacement of tens of thousands of people as well as hundreds of deaths.

South China Sea conflict:

China?

Military bases?

• Arguing that it has a rightful claim to a large amount of South China Sea. The claims are based on historical reasons, that the paracel and Spratly islands were once regarded as Chinese. Vietnam disagrees and has documents to prove

• 6 Chinese military bases in South China Sea, sea ports, air bases and buildings on these islands

  South China Sea- 11 billion barrels of oil, 190 trillion feet cubed of natural gas and 10% of world’s fisheries, 30% of global shipping trade.

Emerging economies and developing world:

Economic centre of gravity?

What is the relationship between superpowers and developing nations based on?

• 1820-1913 the Industrial Revolution in UK, after WW2 the US was dominant, rise of EU, since 1990 the shift is towards Asia and China as manufacturing sector grows.

• -Brain drain of skilled workers boosts developed world economy

  -Neocolonial> superpowers still influence political and economic characteristics

  -Unfair terms of trade; cheap exports from LICS compared to expensive manufactured goods imported in LICS

  -Local wealthy elites who benefit from neo-colonial relationship; superpowers influence, despite.

China in Africa:

China in Kenya?

Trade?

Developmental relationship?

Neo-colonial relationship?

• Studying Mandarin (students), Chinese companies moving to Kenya, Chinese media outlets

• 2021= China’s exports to Africa was us$100 billion, China’s imports from Africa was us$150 billion

• Africa develops through trader and development to global economy> Chinese factories and mines bring modern working practices and technologies to Africa

• China exploits Africa for its cheap raw materials> infrastructure investments ensure that China can exploit raw materials as cheaply and efficiently

China’s one belt, one road strategy:

What is it?

China’s objectives?

How much?

Geopolitical impacts?

Risks?

• Vast economic development plan linking China to areas west. Focusing on developing trade routes> road, rail, ports, airports. Through Central Asia, E+W, Europe and an arctic route

• Access to new physical resources, secure import routes, stimulus for Chinese economy and Chinese energy, reducing US dominance in South and East Asia

• US$900 billion

• Shift in balance of power in Asia, traditional US allies shift towards China, strengthens China-Russia ties

• -Disputed Kashmir region; increased tensions if Pakistan has China an an ally

  -China and Iran become stronger allies, increasing tensions with US

  -India feels ‘encircled’ by chinese infrastructure and allies

  -South China Sea conflict over China’s ‘island building’

Tensions In Middle East:

Sources of instability in Middle East?

Conflicts and tensions today?

• -Oil and gas> 65% of world’s crude oil exports come from Middle east

  -Religion> most of religion is muslim but different sects are in conflict within and between conflicts
  -Resources> rich in fossil fuels but short on water and farmland

  -Youth> young population with high unemployment

• -Israel palestine> some middle eastern countries are openly hostile to Israel eg) Iran

  -Refugee crisis> caused by Islamic state in Syria and Iraq and Syrian civil war, 2 million entering neighbouring

  -Overarching alliance> alliance of USA, Israel, Middle East allies against Russia, China, Iran and Syria

Challenges facing superpowers:

Debt?

Economic restructuring?

• Global recession in 2008 created higher public debt.
  Uk debt is over £1.5 trillion in total, have to lower costs eg) wages which can slow economic growth. Having long term debt> geopolitical risk and they begin to rely on capital investment from emerging powers.

• Forced to shift employment away from secondary sector. Uk ranked 19/30 for low skills.
  Global shift makes it hard for those low skilled.
  Decline in UK trade unions makes it difficult for people in those communities to vote for their concerns.

Challenges facing superpowers:

Unemployment?

Social costs?

• Increased competition, with more efficient and creative manufactures in emerging or developing countries, has led to a decline and readjustment of major western TNCS. Workforce is vulnerable to the changing workforce and 2008 recession caused unemployment to hit 10%

• Employment rates have deteriorated employment networks and decaying living environments.
  Less park areas= reduces motor development
  Lack of compassion for employed countries.
  Inequalities still exist in superpower countries.

Ways to maintain global military power?

• Membership of alliances

• Air power> introductions of autonomous drones which are cheaper in long term and agile.

• Navy power> air crafts seen as vital for projecting

• Space exploration

• Nuclear weapons

• Intelligence services> necessity of spies now contrasts with artificial intelligence satellite tech. Now a strong possibility of cyber attack because of globalised computer networks.