Geopolitical power 1.1

what is a superpower

nation which can project its influence and be dominant on a global scale

What are emerging powers

• potential superpowers of the future like China

• Hold significant economic power

what does uni-polar mean

only 1 superpower

what does bi-polar mean

2 superpowers

what does multi-polar mean

multiple superpowers

what is a hyperpower

unchallenged power that’s dominant in all aspects of power

Characteristics of superpowers

• Economic- will have high GDP and make money around ownership of TNCs around the world

• Political- holds influence in intergovernmental organisations and influence how countries behave

• Military- use its military to threaten and defend countries. Superpower spend lots of money on their military

• Cultural- have certain ideologies that other countries may wish to follow. Strong influence in arts, fashion

• Demographic- large population that’s educated, healthy that can lead to greater amount of power, will have lots of migrants

• Access to natural resources- have larger supply of natural recourses so not reliant on other countries. Influence on trade of natural recourses for profit

what characteristics do superpowers have in their military?

Military strength

• large military force

• nuclear weapons

• influential roles in international military organisations like NATO

what is hard power?

• using military and direct political intervention to change behaviours of others

• e.g. military, threat of trade restrictions, owning debt of other countries- to limit opportunities for country to act in a undesired way

• Sanctions put on Russia to deter them from invading Ukraine

• its effective but expensive, risk, creates long term political instability- its importance has decreased over time

what is soft power?

• attracting national governments and individuals to their country through attractive culture, trade alliances which spread their global influence

• international relations important- countries who get on well with others can influence countries with appealing policies

• globalisation has contributed to importance of soft power- impactful when countries share cultural similarity and less when there culturally different

what was the Heartland Theory by Mackinder?

• he classified region of Russia to China as ‘Heartland’

• argued Heartland was a geostrategic location as whoever controlled it had large amount of resources

what were the problems with the Heartland theory?

• technology advancing and transportation easier, shrinking world reduced the location importance of Heartland

• Resources can be easily transported around the world

• Advances in military technology means armies have global influence without needed to colonise other nations

Chinas belt & road initiative- CASE STUDY

• aimed to increase trade & connectivity between China & others

• spent $1trill on infrastructure like new railways,ports

• New international land sea trade corridor uses roads, railways giving fast link between China, Europe, asia

• will increase Chinas global influence to become a superpower

• create 400,00 jobs, 40mill out of poverty- boost economic development