Key terms - superpowers

• What is a bipolar world?


  Two superpowers exist, each with opposing ideologies.
• What is capitalism?


  The belief that individuals may gain wealth and statues through business ventures, the hours they work and their skills.
• What is the cold war?

  Tensions between the USA and USSR from 1950 to the 1990s due to their conflicting ideologies and competition to become a unipolar superpower.
• What is colonialism?


  The act of gaining control, building an empire and exerting influence over other countries.
• What is communism?


  The belief that everyone in a population should be equally financially, the property they own and politically.
• What is a democracy?


  A political system where every member of the population has an equal vote.
• What is a dictatorship?


  One individual controls a country, rather than an elected government.
• What are economic alliances?


  Trade blocs that promote trade between members, offer each other financial assistance and loans and allow the migration of workers between states.
• What are emerging states?


  Countries that have quickly gained influence, developed and have notable culture. Emerging States may become superpowers in the future.
• What is an empire?


  A collection of countries, ruled over or influenced by a single government.
• What are environmental alliances?


  Groups of countries that discuss and pledge to reduce greenhouse emissions and protect the natural environment.
• What is Frank's dependency model?


  Describes neo-colonialism and how a country can gain control over a neo-colony through exploitation and economic dependency.
• What is foreign direct investment?


  The investment of money, infrastructure or assets by a foreign government or business.
• What is hard power?


  Exerting a country's influence over another through the use of economic or military intervention.
• What are human resources?


  The available workforce and skills of the population, which can contribute to a country's status.
• What is an ideology?


  Beliefs and values that are shared within a population.
• What is an imperial era?


  The period of 18th and 19th century, when European states created empires, using hard power to rule over America, Africa and Asia.
• What is intellectual property?

  The ownership of ideas and designs, such as patents and copyrights.
• What is Mackinder's heartland theory?


  Whoever controls the heartland (Russia, Eastern Europe and parts of South Asia) controls the majority of physical and human resources, and so will be a leading superpower.
• What is a military alliance?


  A group of states that share weapons and intelligence, offer military assistance and discuss international affairs such as terror attacks, national security etc.
• What is multi-polar world?


  There are several superpowers, each with a characteristic strength, competing for global influence and status.
• What are physical resources?


  The natural assets such as fossil fuels, minerals or crops, that can be sold for profit or political gain.
• What is Rostow's modernisation theory?


  The development of a country takes five stages of growth: Traditional Society, Pre-Conditions for Take Off, Take OFF, Drive to Maturity, Mass Consumption.
• What are sanctions?


  Restrictions put into place against a country who breaks international law or agreements.
• What is soft power?


  Exerting a country's influence over another through cultural diffusion, political reform and FDI.
• What are spheres of contest?


  Areas of competition for superpowers and emerging states e.g. land ownserhip, intellectual property, state borders.
• What is unipolar world?

  There is one superpower who dominates economically and politically.
• What is Wallerstein's world systems theory?


  Describes the movement of raw materials and manufactured goods between the core and periphery.