7.9C Future balance of global power

• • A rapid shift in global balance of power has occurred since the end of the Cold War
  • The number of emerging nations have increased and hegemonic status of the US is not certain in the future
  • The US is still dominant in terms of economic and military power, its soft powers are not as influential as in the past
• -> In 2030 it is predicted that China's economic status will almost have surpassed the US

  • China has also announced plans to modernise China's military by 2035
  • The use of soft power is also an area that China is increasingly focussed on, promoting Chinese language, educational exchanges and the expansion of the media
  • It is unlikely that China will yet have the political and cultural influence to challenge the hegemonic status of the US
• -> In 2050 there may be significant changes in the balance of powers

  • The world may be bi-polar with the US and China as the opposing superpowers
  • Alternatively it may be a multi-polar world with other emerging powers such as India and the EU achieving similar levels of power
• -> It is not possible to accurately predict the changes as world events are unpredictable - recent events that may impact on the balance of power include;

  • Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing conflict
  • Brexit - the UK leaving the EU may weaken the power and influence of the union