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Summary ‘Assess the changing relationships between existing and emerging superpowers’
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12/12 essay on relationships between superpowers
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‘Assess the changing relationships between existing and emerging superpowers’When assessing the changing relationships between existing and emerging superpowers, the key area to
look at is who is more dominant and has the power in these relationships. The country with more
influence and perceived dominance will be able to enhance their own superpower status, and change the
relationship further.
The most significant player when it comes to these relationships is the world’s current preeminent
superpower, the US. The US still dominates in their relationships with existing and emerging superpowers,
hence making them the most significant player when it relates to these relationships. The US has a long
and documented history involving its relationship with other superpowers. For example, the Marshall Plan
gave $13bn to European powers after WWII, to rebuild alliances as well as European infrastructure. This
strengthened relations and created a dependence on the US from Europe, who at this time were
re-emerging superpowers. This influence over relations has continued throughout history, with the
US-led invasion of Iraq under George W Bush’s administration. The US’ ability to call upon other
superpowers, namely the UK, France and other European countries who were now superpowers, once
again shows how they have power and influence in these relationships with other superpowers. This
continuous trend throughout history of the US wielding significant influence over relations with other
countries, means that they are extremely significant when it comes to changing relationships between
existing and emerging superpowers.
Other significant players in these changing relationships are superpowers other than the US. These
superpowers can still exert control and influence over these relationships, but not to the extent that the US
is able to. This makes the US more significant in these changing relationships. An appropriate example of
one of these superpowers is the UK. The UK is extremely able to strongly influence its relationships with
emerging superpowers. For example, in the Falklands War in 1982, the UK successfully defeated Argentina
to reclaim the islands, without the conflict escalating into a more widespread and bloody war. This
evidences the UK’s significant ability to exert power and influence when it comes to its relationships with
emerging superpowers. However, the UK is less significant when it comes to influencing other
superpowers. The US-led invasion of Iraq can also be appropriately used here. The UK was led by the US
into Iraq, showing US dominance. The Biden Administration’s recent decision to leave Afghanistan was
echoed by the British, who could not stay without the help of the world’s preeminent superpower, the US.
These actions in the Middle East evidence a continuous trend of the UK being dependent on the US in
their trans-atlantic relationship. The UK is able to exert influence over emerging superpowers, but not
other superpowers such as the US. This makes it a less significant player in these changing relationships
than the US.
The least significant players in these changing relationships are emerging superpowers. This is due to these
emerging superpowers having less influence over their respective relationships with the world's preeminent
superpower, the US, and already existing superpowers. A good example of an emerging superpower is
Mexico. Mexico has extremely little influence in its relationship with its neighbour, the US. When
President Trump wished to alter the NAFTA agreement, thus renaming it the USMCA, both Mexico and
Canada were largely at the whim of the decisions Trump and the US wished to make. This shows how
existing superpowers are less significant and have less influence in their changing relationships with the
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