Superpowers EQ1 key terms

• Superpower


  A nation with the ability to project its influence anywhere in the world and be a dominant global force.
• Hyperpower


  An unchallenged superpower that is dominant in all aspects of power (economic, political, cultural, and military); examples include Britain 1850-1918, USA 1990-2010.
• Bluewater Navy


  A navy which can deploy into the open ocean, i.e. with large open-ocean vessels such as aircraft carriers.
• Greenwater Navy


  A navy only designed to patrol a nation's littoral water.
• Diplomacy


  The negotiation and decision-making that takes place between nations as part of international relations, leading to international agreements and treaties.
• Ideology


  A set of beliefs, values, and opinions held by the majority of people in a society. These determine what is considered as 'acceptable behaviour.
• Pillars of superpower status


  Economic Base; Pillars: Military, Political, Cultural, Resources.
• Mackinder's Geostrategic Theory.


  Theory that Eurasia is the world's 'Heartland' and any nation controlling this land would control a huge proportion of the worlds human and natural resources, and would likely be a superpower.
• Geostrategic Policy


  Policies that attempt to meet the global and regional policy aims of a country by combining diplomacy with movement and positioning of military assets.
• Cold War


  A period of tension between ideologically rival superpowers of the capitalist USA, and communist USSR that lasted from 1945-1991. Also the period of time when nuclear weapons and their delivery systems were perfected, adding to tensions.
• Colonial


  Refers to the direct control exerted of territories conquered mainly by European powers from 1600-1900.
• Acculturation


  A process of cultural change that takes place when two or more different cultures meet and interact. It's the transfer of a dominant culture's ideologies
• Spheres of Influence


  A geographical area over which a powerful country can assert its authority
• Imperialism


  A relationship of political, economic, and/or cultural control between geographical areas.
• Colonialism


  The political rule of a nation by another.
• Colonisation


  The physical settling of people from a colonial power within their colony.
• Mercantile Phase


  The first phase of empire-building when small colonies are established on coastal fringes, allowing economic interests of private trading to begin to be established. E.g., East India Company
• Imperial Phase


  The second phase of colonial control, where territories have expanded inwards, as the local people begin to be under more control from their colonial occupiers.
• Neo-colonialism


  The indirect control of newly independent nations by their former occupiers. It has all the same restrictions on civil liberties and exploitation of the nations, without the military protection or responsibility associated with direct colonial control.
• Unipolar World


  A world dominated by a single hyperpower. Generally a stable period, though the hyperpower isn't usually able to maintain control everywhere all the time.
• Bipolar World


  A world controlled by two opposing superpowers. Stability depends on diplomatic channels remaining open between the two blocs. A breakdown of control could result in disastrous conflict.
• Multipolar World


  Many superpowers, with complex relationships and alliances between superpowers that could breakdown at any time. Often an unstable world that will result in conflict or collapse of superpowers into a more stable state.
• Hegemony


  The dominance of a superpower over other nations. Doesn't have to be military control, control can be more subtle, e.g. through the reinforcement of certain ideologies.
• Hard Power


  The reliance on economic and military strength to solve international problems.
• Soft Power


  The reliance on diplomacy and negotiation to solve international problems.
• BRIC(S)


  Brazil, Russia, India, China, (and South Africa). Rapidly emerging nations which could be the future superpowers.
• Dependency


  The progress of a developing country is influenced by economic, cultural, and political forces which are controlled by developed countries.
• Bretton Woods Institutions


  Promoted stability, economic growth, development and international economic cooperation.
• Communism


  An economic philosophy, whereby the state controls business, and all are employed by the state, and work for the good of the nation.
• Capitalism


  The social and economic system that relies on the market mechanism to distribute wealth, investment and goods in the most efficient way, where profit it the ultimate goal.
• Willy-Brant Line


  A divide between the geographical north and south of the world, whereby the north of the world is richer than the south, with a 80:20 split of wealth.
• Modernisation Theory (Rostow Model)

  The 5 stages of economic development:

  1. Traditional Society

  2. Pre-conditions for take-off

  3. Take-off

  4. Drive to Maturity

  High-Mass consumption (consumerist society)
• Dependency Theory (Andre Gunder Frank)


  Rich nations conspire to keep poorer nations poor. They create institutions to maintain the status quo, e.g., the Bretton Woods Institutions. There is a flow of human and physical resources from developing nations to developed nations.
• World Systems Theory (Wallerstein)


  Core nations which developed in the 18th and 19th centuries now have a greater proportion of capital. Periphery regions therefore rely on core regions which exploit their raw materials and labour, creating an unequal pattern of development.
• Geopolitical


  The influence of geographical factors on the actions of countries towards other countries - often affecting their foreign policies.
• Sanction


  A penalty applied against one country by another country or group of counties - often economic, cultural, or sporting.
• Empire


  A group of counties ruled over by another country, usually taken by conquest.
• NAFTA


  North American Free-Trade Agreement
• NATO


  North Atlantic Treaty Organisation