Global Superpowers (HL IB Geography)
Revision Note
Super & Soft Power
A superpower is a nation which is able to project its influence and be dominant on a global scale in many countries at the same time
Superpower status is gained through large-scale economic, cultural, resource, military and political strength
Several factors are listed above but many have characteristics that are linked
The USA and the former USSR competed to become superpowers after World War II
Influence can be achieved through soft and hard power
Soft power is use of diplomacy and cultural influence to change individuals, communities and nations without the use of force
For example, Starbucks and McDonalds are cultural influences from the USA
Hard power is the use of military force, economics, and trade policies to force a change
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a use of military 'hard' power
Economic sanctions have been imposed on Russia to try and deter them from their continued invasion of Ukraine
A combination of hard and soft power leads to the development of smart power, where balance of power is maintained
Rising Superpowers
The USA was left as the only superpower after the collapse of communism and the breakup of the USSR after 1991
However, some argue that it is losing its superpower status due to a number of factors
The unsuccessful involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan in an attempt to end terrorism following the September 2001 terrorist attacks
The 2008 global financial crisis left the USA with declining economic strength, while other nations gained ground
During the Trump presidency, the USA took on an inward-looking policy of 'America First' and reduced its overseas commitments
There are a number of nations that are regarded as emerging superpowers
The European Union (EU)
The BRICS nations:
Brazil
Russia
India
China
South Africa, although this is more regional power
Examiner Tip
Remember that BRICS countries have separate strengths and weaknesses that allow them to dominate in one or more areas of influence.
Over recent years, there has been the emergence of the MINT economies as successors to the BRICS
Mexico
Indonesia
Nigeria
Türkiye (Turkey)
These countries have the potential for rapid economic growth and a rise in global importance but could suffer as a result of corruption, political instability and economic crises
USA Military-Industrial Complex (MIC)
Case Study
Military-Industrial Complex (MIC) describes the connection between a country's government, its military and the industry that supplies it, known as the defence industry
The reach of a country's military is key to the level of power they have:
A global reach means that the military can be used to achieve geopolitical goals
The size and power of the military are dependent on a number of factors, including:
The size and age of the population to maintain the size of the military
Defence spending on the military: personnel, technology and weapons
Superpowers and emerging powers have:
Large military forces
Nuclear weapons
Export arms
Influential roles in international military organisations such as NATO
The US Armed Forces is one of the world's largest and most technologically advanced military units
It would not be able to maintain this without private defence contractors designing, testing, manufacturing, and implementing systems, weapons and vehicles for the government
All this gives the US superiority over land, sea, and air (which includes space and communication)
There is also a global US military presence, with overseas bases providing support, protection and training to other countries
One-in-six US households has a family member involved in the MIC
The US spends more on defence than China, India, Russia, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and the UK combined
In 2023, President Joe Biden allocated $816.7 billion to military defence, which was more than half the federal discretionary budget
This left public health, education, job training and environmental protection agencies competing for the remainder
In 2020, the Pentagon awarded $75 billion in contracts to Lockheed Martin, which was more than the entire budgets of the State Department and International Development Agency
It's estimated that the average US taxpayer spends $270 on education, $6 on renewable energy and $1087 on weapons contractors per year
China's Rise to Power
Case Study
Since 2000, China has been an emerging power and is identified as the main challenger to the USA's superpower status
China has a large economic influence
It has the world's largest economy by purchasing power parity
But it remains below the US in GDP terms
US GDP per capita in 2022 was US$68,615 compared to US$21,804 in China
It is dubbed the 'world's factory,' and its manufacturing capabilities are unmatched due to its large population
China has invested in several regions, including Africa and Asia
China heavily invests in infrastructure
China's geopolitical influence includes:
Being a permanent member of the UN Security Council allows China to wield influence by its veto power
China's involvement in regional forums like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation strengthens its local and global influence
It has launched initiatives such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to increase its political influence
China tends to stay out of global issues
China is not a democracy and relationships with other nations are not always positive
China promotes its language and culture globally through developments such as the Confucius Institute
Chinese festivals, especially the Lunar New Year, and other worldwide celebrations
Chinese cinema and arts are increasing in global approval
Chinese foods are increasingly popular around the world
China's military force is ranked third as the most powerful and has an overall advantage with its available workforce
China has the second-largest defence budget globally and has nuclear capabilities, but it is not always well equipped
It has limited military reach, with only one overseas base
The navy rarely leaves the Indo-Pacific region
As China continues to dominate, it must address challenges such as its ageing population, environmental issues and complex geopolitical circumstances such as territorial disputes
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