Summary
A Level Geography - Superpowers Summary revision notes
- Module
- Superpowers
- Institution
- PEARSON (PEARSON)
Summary revision notes for Geography - Superpowers - Pearson Edexcel specification
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Superpower - A country with the means to project its power and influence in the world.Characteristics:
1) Economic - High GDP, high levels of international trade, home to TNCs.
2) Political - Permanent seat in UN security council, many multilateral agreements, ability to
influence policies of other countries through negotiations, countries may force their
ideologies through policies.
3) Military - Nuclear weapons, number of military personnel/troops, - this can be used to
invade or threaten countries (Hard power) or in order to achieve their geopolitical goals.
4) Cultural - Ability to influence beliefs, values and ideologies in other countries. This can be
achieved through media and films, music, and TNCs introducing cultural products (Eg:
Food). For example, westernisation.
5) Demographic - Large population means workforce is greater, which can help develop a
nation’s economy, such as manufactured goods which can be exported, leading to export-led
growth. Eg: China. It can also lead to economies of scale.
Soft power - Power through persuasion . Eg: Media and films lead to cultural influence due
to it promoting ideologies and messages, such as spreading westernisation ideologies.
Hard power - Using military and direct political intervention to change or influence the
behaviour of a country. Eg: Military action or economic sanctions. For example, the US
invaded Iraq to gain access to natural resources. However, it can be expensive and risky.
- Unipolar - When one state exercises the most cultural, economic and military
influence.
- Bipolar - Two countries exercise cultural, economic and military influence.
- Multipolar - When several countries exercise cultural, economic and military
influence.
,How applicable is MacKinder’s heartland theory to today’s geopolitics
Whoever ruled over the pivot would controlled the heartland would command the world and
would have the most geopolitical power and influence
+ Reinforces the importance of natural resources which could benefit the country
economically through trade, leading to export-led economic growth. Eg: Russia
became a superpower as a result of the wealth gained from oil and gas exports.
Russia therefore had huge geopolitical influence, as it caused dependency for its oil
all around the world, which increased its sphere of influence.
+ Can be applicable today due to the NATO allies (UK and US) trying to contain Russia
from its military expansion over Ukraine, through military aid to Ukraine, which halted
Russia’s annexation into Ukraine. This would stop Russia from controlling the
heartland fully, so it would reduce its sphere of influence in Eastern Europe.
- War and Conflict are generally seen as abnormal as a way to gain power in the 21st
century. This is due to the rise of Soft Power which became a more common way of
gaining influence and maintaining power. For example, diplomacy is more commonly
used through IGOs like the UN. Also, if hard power is used, there is a risk of
sanctions which can stop economic growth. Eg: Russia
- Modern Military technology (Drones, ballistic missiles) can hit deep inside another
country’s territory, so the heartland isn’t needed to be protected against invasion, as
the modern military technology undermines the Heartland’s physical barriers to
invasion, such as the Arctic and Russian Steppes.
- Icy Sea - hard to transport goods due to the frozen coast, which can halt international
trade, and limit the country’s economic growth due to being unable to export.
, Unipolar - The British Empire during the colonial period controlled 25% of land territory,
hence it was the strongest power in the world. This relied on:
- Powerful navy which enabled sea invasion, as well as transporting soldiers and
equipment to areas of conquest.
- Large and advanced armed forces, as well as warfare technology.
- Controlled large amounts of natural resources, such as in Africa which had gold, tin,
tea and coffee. This enabled trade, making Britain wealthy.
Positives of colonial power
+ Infrastructure like railway lines were built which were used to transport goods and the
army quickly between different places.
+ Education for colonial states were improved, where schools were set up. This led to
the population to be more educated and skilled, so they accessed better jobs - many
migrated to the UK to fill job shortages.
Negatives of colonial power
- Natural resources were exploited, and mostly benefited the colonial power through
trade, and the source country didn’t benefit as much and made little profit.
- DIscriminating policies were established to segregate the British migrants from
natives.
- Warfare - Eg: Boer War in South Africa led to 150,000 casualties.
The British empire fell due to:
- WW2 - many troops died and spent a lot on the war, so couldn’t maintain these
territories.
- Independence movements like in India
Neo-colonialism:
- Indirect form of control where newly independent countries are not in control of their
own destiny. Eg:
- The IMF and World Bank have been accused of neo-colonialism where they provide
loans to developing countries with high interest rates, and there are often conditions
attached, such as privatisation, where often TNCs would buy public-owned
companies. This would benefit the Western countries.
- Mozambique has fishing rights to China, in return for infrastructure investment
(hospitals, airports, roads). However, local fishermen are now out of business so they
lost their source of income, and are having to work for Chinese fishing boats for less
money.
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