superpower geographies
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Superpower Geographies
Superpower Geographies
The changing world order
1989 Fall of Berlin Wall
1991 Disbanding of communist states of Soviet Union
USSR was the third largest economy
BRIC countries rapid growth
Trade BLOCs such as the EU - $2 trillion GDP with 2.6% growth
USA - $1.6trillion (2.2% growth)
India overtake UK 2022, Japan 2032 and rival USA in 2050
Superpower- British Empire Soviet Union USA only superpowerCharacteristics-Colonialism
British Empire people believed it was good as politically it gave Britain land, and economically cheaper, and variety of goods
British Navy 100,000
Defence budget was 2.5% of GDPP
Modernism - Mackinders
Heartland theory -
Evangelical Christianity
And Social Darwinism
USA -
IMF -
World Bank
Ghana
2007 GNP $14.9billion, debt was $3.4billion
Inflation 11%
Life expectancy 59.1, Population growth 2%
Commodity traders have huge influence on Ghana
Cocoa price changed 90 times between 1996-2002
Price increased by 112% 1991-93
Dependency Theory
Cause of poverty in developing countries is their reliance on developed economies
Maintains trade of primary products (does not add value)
Production Primary Goods exported Low value Low profits No investment in machinery or manufacturing
Overseas tariffs
Countries tend not to have tariff on raw cocoa beans, but tariff manufactured goods such as chocolate
WTO
Ghanaian govt used to subsidise farmers, but WTO did not like this
Now Ghana imports a lot of food
No market for tomatoes as EU tomatoes are much cheaper
A co-operative was formed as Kokoo, where 40,000 members could have increased bargaining power (produce 1% of crop) helped pay for drink water and health insurance
China
Imports 250,000tonnes of iron from Australia per day
Accounted for 90% increase in sea traffic in past century
Makes 33% of world steel 500million tonnes
Used 50% of cement
Chinas Economy
State owned Chinalco (Aluminium) bought Peru Copper
Cnocc. Ltd bought $2.7billion worth of oil fields in Nigeria
Only 2 of the 200 largest firms were in China
$360billion trade surplus
Since 2000 received largest investment 60% increase in world trade since 2004
Estimated $90 billion spent on military (3rd largest)
Chinas Pollution
16/20 of the cities are the most polluted
70% of Chinas lakes and rivers are polluted
30% of China suffers from Acid rain
Largest emitter of CO2
Chinas Problems
Rural population yet to experience boom
20% China live on less than a $1 a day
Child labour
Housing
Russia and the USSR
Gorbachev allowed economic reforms, private wealth and investment etc in 1991
Privatisation occurred after state corruption occurred
80% decline in investment in 1990s
50% unemployment factories sold off
Inflation occurred when Govt protection was removed
Emigration of young Russians
Decline in govt revenue
Alcoholism led to decline in male life expectancy
Russias Re-emergence 60% of exports are oil and gas Devaluation of Russian currency Loans from IMF China and Indias rapid energy demandEuropes expanding influence
Eurovision song contest bring people together
31% of global GDP (EU)
Role in NATO and G8
Common laws
Currency
European parliament
EU enlargement 51 altogether if all countries were accepted
Russias Influence
Ukraine 2005-08 threatened to cut gas supplies when raised price by 400% due to Ukraine wanting to join NATO and EU
Europes supplies effected if Ukraines gas is cut off
Invaded South Caucasus to take part of Georgia part of Security Council vetoed any potential threat
Influence of Culture
Firms and brand names
Film industry
TV
Culture and Music
News and Media Internet, publishers, newspaper
Forced spread of culture British empire
Voluntary Americas street culture
A country with the capacity to project dominating power and influence in the world by becoming a supreme power over others
Physical size and geographical position
Resources
Population size
Economic power and influence USA 26%, China 6.1%
Military force
Dominant belief systems
Believe human intervention and achievement would improve the world
The more advanced nations felt more modern, civilised and progressive
1904 Mackinder believed whoever controlled Europe and Asia controlled the world
The heartland of Eastern Europe to Russia whoever ruled controlled Russia, Asia and Europe
Russia was vulnerable to borders, ports, govt
UK became influential due to naval power and economic
Spreading of Christian word encouraged colonialism
Missionaries sent to Africa
1500, less than 5% Christian, now 50%
Encouraged belief of racial inferior
SD natural superiority, basis of might makes right
Theories boosted from adaptation and natural selection
Helped produce goods and services to rebuild Europe after WW2
1950 $ was worlds major currency
Produces 25% of global GDP
US military dominates
USSR gave military assistance to several African countries and were attempting to match USAs nuclear research, had support of China
USA flooded money to SE Asia and India to prevent communism
IMF and world bank set up
IMF formed in 1944 stabilise currencies after Depression and WW2
44 govts joined aim to prevent poverty
Now has 185 members USA has 16.8%vote EU 25% BRICs 9.7%
Received investment from IMF after war to prevent communism
GDP 1979 5.9b, 2007 153b
IMF and WB helped rebuild Japan to prevent Russian invasion
Created a more democratic system
1970s Japan overtook Russian economy
Formed in 1944 aim to finance development
Focuses on natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies
Financed development of ex-colonies 1950
Aims to achieve Millennium Development goal