Superpowers

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Cards (255)

Superpower 
A state or organisation that Is able to extend a dominant influence globally
Emerging superpower 
A state or organisation that is growing significantly in power and beginning to extend a more global influence
Regional superpower 
A state or organisation with a sphere of influence that tends to be continental rather than global
Hard power  
Power through force or coercion
Soft power 
Power through favour or persuasion
Hegemony 
Leadership or dominance, especially by one state or organisation
Colonialism
The acquisition of political control over a territory by another country, and the subsequent settlement of that territory
Neo-colonialism 
The use of economic, political and cultural power to influence other countries
Direct control 
Maintaining control through hard power eg colonialism
Indirect control 
Maintaining control through soft power eg neo-colonialism
Unipolar 
A world with a single dominant superpower
Bipolar  
A world with two dominant superpowers
Multipolar 
A world with a multitude of superpowers
Geo political
Referring to the influence of geographical factors on international relations
Hyperpower
An unchallenged superpower that is dominant in all aspects of power
2 examples of regional power
India
China
Example of a former superpower
Uk
Example of a hyperpower 
USA
Example of emerging superpower
BRICS
Brazil
Russia
India
China
South Africa
Who are the BRICS
Brazil Russia India China South Africa
7 characteristics of superpowers
Economic power and influence
Political power
Military strength
Cultural inflence
Demographic factors
Access to natural resources
Physical size and geographical position
Example of economic power and influence
Eu and USA account for 40% of global GDP
Example of political power
USA strong governance
Example of military strength  
UK has the blue navy
Example of cultural influence
USA- Disneyfication and mcdonaldisation
Example of demographic factors
China has a high working population (economically active) so more workers and soldiers
Example of access to resources
Brazil has lots of natural resources eg uranium, petroleum , timber
Example of physical size and geographical position
China has 14 bordering nations and has 14500 km coastline
Examples of hard power
It is a deterrent (protects territory)
Expansion of territory
Acquisition of resources
Military spending allows large global reach (Blue navy)
Can intervene in human rights violation
Examples of soft power
Makes country more attractive to trade and form alliances with due to skills and success
Projects positive image globally through media
Why is soft power often used
Hard often doesn't go as planned and can make a country lose global support and influence
Smart power
A mix between soft and hard power
Why is the UK in the top 3 for soft power
English language is one of highest spoken language so there is a strong culture
Legal system modelled throughout the world
Involved in helping weaker countries solve human rights violations
Why has Russia dropped out of the top 10 for soft power
War with Ukraine has ruined its reputation
Why has China fallen for soft power rankings
Caused Covid meaning globally less respected
Why has UAE entered the top 10 for soft power
Successful due to expo 2020 and cop28
Mackinder's geographical pivot theory (heartland theory) 
States control over land equates to political power
Pivot area is covering a large portion of the eurasion continent which contained 50% of the world's resources
Criticism of the heartland theory 
Out of date as today power is increasingly played out over cyberwarfare and soft power
Support of heartland theory
Theory has influenced key foreign polices on a global scale
Britain 1600-1850 mercantilist phase 
Small colonies set on coasts and islands eg new England, Accra, bombay and Jamaica which are defended by forts
Focus on trade of slaves and sugar
Private trading companies such as East Indian trading company and Royal African company