‘Assess the effectiveness of superpowers and emerging nations in playing key roles in international
decisions making’ 12 marks
The most significant and effective player in international decision making is the world’s current
preeminent superpower, the US. The US has been at the forefront of a vast majority of world decisions
made for the past 80 years and, despite the rise of China, remains the most effective decision-maker on a
global scale. There are examples of the US making important decisions on the world stage dating back to
1948 and more recently. For example, in 1948 President Truman signed the Marshall Plan into effect. This
constituted the US loaning $13bn to European countries to help with post-war recovery and to stave off
the Communist threat from the USSR. This decision was extremely significant in the rebuilding of Europe
and in the larger context of the Cold War, which the US eventually won. The Marshall Plan evidences
how the US plays an extremely significant role in international decision making. More recently, the war
on terror under George W Bush’s and Dick Cheney’s administration also evidences the US’ essential role
in international decision making. This administration’s initial decision to invade the Middle East
represented a major shift in global conflict and the US’ ability to wage a costly and militarily advanced war
overseas shows how they are the major player when it comes to international decision making. Both the
Marshall Plan and the war on terror evidence significant and long term trends and the power that the US
has when it comes to international decision making. The vast expenditure and other global powers
involved in each also goes to evidence the significant influence that the US wields.
Other significant players in international decision making are other superpowers, who are not as powerful
as the world’s preeminent superpower, the US. These countries are typically not as significant or effective
in terms of decision making as the US, as they are unable to exert large amounts of influence or financial
capital. Many of them are also reliant on the US itself when it comes to international decision making,
therefore making it more significant and effective. A good example of a country that falls into this category
is the UK. Once a large global power, the UK’s ability to effectively contribute to global decision making
is dwindling. Despite this, the UK does have nuclear weapons, is one of the world’s leading military
powers, and has the second highest international development donor. This makes the UK relevant on a
global scale and able to exert influence and make key decisions independently. A good example of this is
with the Falklands War. After the Argentine invasion of the Falklands, PM Margaret Thatcher acted
decisively to take back the islands for the British. This independent and decisive action on the world stage
evidences the UK’s effectiveness at making international decisions.. However, the Falklands War took
place in 1982. This means that its significance is reduced in comparison with the UK’s current global role.
Unlike the US, there is no continuation in making key global decisions as there was from the Marshall Plan
through to the War on Terror. The War on Terror is the best example for evidencing how the US is still
more significant than other global superpowers, such as the UK. During the War on Terror the UK was
reliant on the US, with PM Tony Blair agreeing to join with the US to invade Iraq. This trend has been
continued recently, with the UK joining the US’ lead on leaving Afghanistan. It is not just the UK but
other superpowers who follow the US’ lead when it comes to global decision making. Turkey, Germany,
Italy, The Netherlands, France and Poland all joined the US led forces that invaded Iraq.
This evidences that, although significant and effective, other superpowers are extremely reliant on the US
when it comes to making global decisions. Therefore, the US is the most effective player at making
international decisions.
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