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Summary on Edexcel superpowers topic A level geography
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Summary on Edexcel superpowers topic A level geography
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A superpower is a nation or group of nations, with a leading position in international politicsUSA dominance over the global market
80% of all financial transactions in US dollars
USA’s military spending is 4-5x China’s
16 of the top 20 universities in the world are in the USA
Superpower characteristics
Economic – high GDP, many TNCs, part of trade blocs, stable currency held in other country reserves
Political – part of bilateral or multilateral trade agreements, permanent seat on the UN Security Council with allies
Military – intelligence networks, technological innovation, high expenditure in equipment including nuclear arms
Cultural – tradition and cultural history voluntarily enjoyed by many e.g. French fashion
Demographic – significant percentage of global population, attracts skilled migrants and workers
Access to resources – able to export valuable commodities like oil, multiple resources and diverse influence in markets
Hard power is the ability of a country or group of Soft power is the ability of a country or a group of
countries to use military force or direct economic countries to persuade other countries to agree to a
influence to make another country accept a situation or situation or idea by making it attractive. Evident with the
idea UK as it still has considerable global influence despite no
longer being a global superpower.
Military power where the USA has shown
strength during conflict. Particularly evident History through its continued economic growth
with terrorism as a threat to its global and attractiveness of FDI for companies have
superpower status. Assassinated Osama Bin meant the growth of the City of London as the
Laden and response to 9/11 prompted the financial global capital. British law was adopted
Afghanistan war and fight against Al-Qaeda. US and modelled by many countries. Prestige in
also used hard power to support countries like historical buildings and universities has attracted
Kuwait following the Iraqi invasion, where they skilled labour.
removed the Iraqi leader from power. Cultural influence where major media
Economic power where 80% of all financial companies like BBC broadcast British culture like
transactions are in US dollars meaning economic literacy, music and film. Facilitated by the fact
sanction threats are particularly powerful. US is English is the most widely spoken language.
the largest trading partner for many countries Successful hosting of 2012 Olympics showcased
and house many TNCs like Microsoft and the country’s capabilities and history of
Google. US has enforced property rights to contribution to the world. Rise of the tertiary
protect their property and services industry has meant many financial
firms consult internationally.
Hard power sometimes has repercussions as it may be Diplomacy where British rule has always sought
viewed as overly retaliatory and can cause resentment to support instead of takeover their colonial
within countries like the Middle East. settlements. UK has one of the largest networks
of embassies where British diplomats are highly
respected. Britain has also been successful in
economic sanctions, especially with Russia’s
annexation of Crimea.
Soft power has been questioned due to its lack of
effectiveness in military intervention. Evident when the
US failed to react to human rights abuses in Syria.
Geostrategic theory is when geopolitics meets physical geography. Recently, maintaining power has meant:
1. USA’s containment. Aid to countries to stop the spread of communism on the boundaries between West and East
2. Pursuing high profile terrorist targets
3. Everyday enforcement in classrooms
4. UK faced with conflict between migration and extremist ideologies. Counter terrorism strategies like ‘Prevent’
enforced values of freedom and democracy. The importance of geostrategic theory is highlighted in Mackinder’s
geographical pivot theory. It emphasised the importance of controlling the ‘Heartland’ as it contained 50% of
world resources. He warned technological development meant invasion in the Heartland was more likely.
, 2 patterns of power:
1. Direct colonial control
2. Indirect post-colonial control
Direct colonial control was especially prevalent during the time of the British Empire where they controlled about ¼ of the
land’s areas during which time Sir Francis Drake defended claims to settlements in West Africa.
1. Established settlements which drove slave trade
2. Established trading companies to finance voyages in search of valuable commodities like spices which were sold
in their domestic market driving the Industrial Revolution. This helped them buy much of west, east and Southern
Africa where they remained unchallenged
3. Technological advancements like the steamship and telegraph helped maintain their empire. The ‘All Red Line’
was a network of underwater telegraph cables which aided in communication between the different continents.
They enforced their power through soft power as well as hard power.
4. Hard power was exerted during the Opium wars with China and against rebellion forces like the Indian rebellion
However, colonial control was challenged as the British Empire covered too large an area and faced competition from
industrialising economies. Increasing conflict began to arise and caused geopolitical instability. The breakdown of the
British Empire was the catalyst for the possible formation of a multi-polar world.
1. Following the massacre in India of Punjabis, Britain questioned the morality of colonialism
2. Creation of the Irish Free State due to an uprising in Ireland which led to the separation of Northern Ireland
3. Many African countries decided on independence – however, many borders accepted the rough borders from the
‘Scramble for Africa’ where many European colonial powers had no regard for cultural divisions. This meant
conflict like with Israel and Palestine and the Jewish population. (terrorist groups like Al Shabab in Somaliland)
4. WWI encouraged the growth of naval powers in the US and Japan which challenged ownership of seas
5. Britain was heavily reliant on the US after WWII
Indirect post-colonial control is also known as neo-colonialism which was evident after WWII where the British Empire
had been completely dismantled. They exercised power both using hard power and soft power:
Hard power: liberalisation which can completely ruin a
country’s domestic economy by not allowing the
1. Militarily. Led to civil unrest due to direct growth of infant industry. ‘Structural adjustment
military intervention. IRA terrorist campaign in programmes’ force countries to adopt pro-
Northern Ireland and the Mau Mau uprising in Western ideology. Many of this aid comes with
Kenya. Racial divisions were also emphasised ‘strings attached’ which may force countries to
after the declaration of independence from the spend unnecessarily. Over dependence of
minority regime in Zimbabwe. foreign aid may also mean they are highly
2. Peacekeeping intervention may only prolong indebted
conflict within the region
Somalia and Somaliland Soft power
Somaliland is a region of Somalia which declared
independence and became part of the British 1. Politically. Preventing the spread of communism
Empire. Later declared independence from during the period of ‘containment’ during the
Britain and united with Somalia to form the Cold War to persuade countries to adopt free
Somali Republic. Barre, the coup d’état leader market approaches. The US Marshall Plan
targeted ethnic groups leading to the collapse of provided aid to many European countries for
the government and civil war and declared a rebuilding and stimulating trade. Development
failed state. The UK gov. still tries maintaining support to the Commonwealth has also been
link by sending aid workers, diplomats and provided by the UK which has meant the UK can
peacekeeping missions but this has irritated the support independent sovereignty for those
region and prolonged conflict. countries.
Ongoing terrorist attacks by groups like Al- 2. Culturally. Globalisation and technology have
Shabaab have reinforced the consequences of facilitated this. Westernisation and TNCs. This
colonial influence creating borders which don’t may be threatened from the emerging countries
fit the local geopolitical situation BRICs.
3. Economically. The IMF and World Bank enforce
free market ideology and economic
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