superpowers

• 1. what is a superpower ?

  a nation with the ability to project its influence. anywhere in the world
• What were the three main superpowers in the 1940's?


  - british empire, USA and USSR
• what are the 7 factors that determine superpower status ?

  -geostrategic location

  - resources

  - demographics

  - economic influence

  - political power

  - military reach

  - cultural influence
• what did Mackinder argue?


  Mackinder argued that geostrategic location is crucial in determining the worlds most dominant superpower
• what is the world island ?

  Eurasia and Africa (compromising 7 eighths of total world population and two thirds of the total land area of the world - 11 million kms)
• where is the heartland ?

  Eastern Europe/ West Asia
• why did Mackinder say this was the most important geo strategic location?


  because it was surrounded by geographical/physical barriers eg the Himalayan mountain range and the artic ocean
• what did Mackinder predict ?

  he predicted that whoever got the balance of power in its favour would rule the world island
• why did Mackinders theory not prove to be correct ?

  its only a good reference when talking about Russia's geostrategic location
• 2. changing patterns of superpowers ?
• when did the British empire collapse ?

  1945
• When did the USSR collapse?

  1991
• what is a hyperpower and give the example of it?

  = unchallenged superpower - dominant in all aspects

  - current hyperpower/hegemony is the USA (1910 to current time)

  - originally the UK (1850-1910)
• What are the three ways the world can be categorised by geopolitical polarity ?

  1. Uni Polar

  2. Bipolar World

  3. Multipolar world

  
• In 1920, how much did Britain rule?

  20% of the global population and 25% of the land mass
• what is colonialism ?

  direct control exerted over countries- being present in the country
• how is colonialism ruled by ?

  hard power - no power given to the original population
• what is neo colonialism ?

  a country has control over another country outside the country = indirect control through economic/political policies
• explain the mechanisms of power ?

  
• give exmaples of current hard power being exerted ?

  Afghanistan - recent conflicts show the limits of hard power eg collateral damage
• How can soft power be easily spread ?

  through globalisation (TNCs, communication tech, products etc)
• Western ideologies:

  what is the international business language ?

  what do western countries promote?


  english

  privitisation (government sells services) and consumerism
• How can soft power be measured?

  What is it ?

  = soft power 30 -> composite index

  - based on the quality of a countries political institutions, the extent of cultural appeal, the strength of their diplomatic network, reputation of higher ed, the attractiveness of their economic model, and Digital engagement.
• 3. Emerging powers:BRICs
• where is the centre of gravity shifting ?

  the centre of gravity for world power is being pulled east
• Which countries have experienced rapid economic growth?

  The BRICS
• which nations have been improving their development ?

  Asian nations eg Indonesia and the Phillipines
• what case study do we use for the BRICs?

  CHINA
• China : Economic

  what is increasing for china ?

  What ranking is there economy?

  How much has there GDP grown by?

  What % is the GDP growing a year?

  What has powered Chinas economic growth?

  1. economic power

  2. 2nd largest economy - largest by 2030

  3. between 1978 -2015 GDP has grown from $292 billion to $11 trillion

  4. 10% a year

  5. Open door policy (1978), large pop, incentives for FDI, work ethic/exploition, transport advances, outsourcing and offshoring, tertiarization in the 'west', weaker enviro laws.
• However, Chinas GDP per capita is only what % of the USA?

  Is there inequality within China?

  Is there a development gap?

  10% of the USA

  yes, development is not evenly spread = development gap
• Belt and Road Initiative


  China's huge infrastructure development and investment project launched in 2013, designed to link China to the rest of Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and beyond
• what does it do?

  connect China to markets in the West
• what is it focused on?

  developing trade routes - road, rail, airports and urban energy developments
• how many countries does it involve?

  60 countries
• what does the initiative reduce ?

  USAs hegemony in southeast asia
• where have there been huge chinese investments ?

  CPEC - China- pakistan economic corridor - withj Gwadar = key port
• what is CPEC?


  an alternative route into China, avoiding the straits of Malacca (unstable shipping) and India (rival emerging power)
• what are some the objects/advantages for the belt and road initive?

  - access to new physical resources, and secure import routes

  - stimulus for the chinease economy, and chinese energy/engineering TNCs

  - regional, economic and politial alliances

  - reduce US hegemony in SE Asia

  - New port and airport infrastructure could have military use

  - reduces the isolation of tibetan and Uyghur people - cultural unification

  - alternative trade routes to the Malacca strait

  - trade agreements and FDI can be used to have political power over developing countries eg african nations
• what are the risks of the belt and road initiative ?

  - South china sea conflict over chinas island building

  - India feels encircled by Chinese infrastructure and allies

  - china and Iran become closer allies, increasing tensions with the USA

  - NATO member / western ally Turkey draw closer to china and Russia

  - Disputed Kashmir reigion (pakistan and india) -> increased tensions if pakistan have china has an ally.

  - internal rebellion in tibet and Uyghur if policies are seen as repressive
• How much did it cost ?

  where did the money come from?

  $4.6 trillion

  chinese government and government owned companies, also funding from russia