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Defining Superpower Status – the Pillars of PowerEconomic PowerForms the ‘base’ of the temple as arguably it is the most fundamental and a strong economy gives the foundation for spending on a powerful military, the ability to exploit or buy in natural resources or develop human ones through education (16 of the top universities in the world are in the USA). Powerful currencies – 80% of all financial transactions and 87% of all foreign currency market transactions are in US$Great influence/control over global trade and terms of trade –determine economic policies by joining political and economic organisations like the G20 or trading blocs eg EU which influences trade Home to many TNCs who may export ‘soft power’ and spread global influence eg McDonalds and Disney and who can also control foreign governments eg dictating wage costs, environmental policy etc. Economic power means that a country can buy debt from another country eg China has bought debt from USA especially since the Global Financial Crisis, this gives China global influence but also means the USA remains able to buy goods from China which maintains a healthy trading surplus for China Ability to give aid – in return the country can set conditions eg be allowed to locate military bases in the recipient country – this widens military reach and creates a dependency between the countries so aid-recipient countries become allied with the superpower.USA dominates in innovation, intellectual property and patents – this maintains power as other countries are prevented from similar innovation which holds back their economies. Although disputed, a Russian economist called Kondratiev argued that innovation was key to cycles of economic growth and prosperity as seen below: World Bank, World Trade Organisation and International Monetary Fund – these are all tools by which superpowers spread their global influence. Military PowerThe threat of military action may be seen as a powerful bargaining chip - consider the USA and North Korea over the Summer holiday! Military force can be used to achieve geopolitical goals – USA’s invasion of Iraq was designed to spread its ideology of ‘Western values’ of free speech, individual freedom, free market economics and consumerism by removing Saddam Hussain as a dictator Superpowers will spend much on military hardware – The USA’s military spending is up to 5 times that of China’s accounting for 37% of global military spending. China has increased its spending by 10 times over last 5 yearsThe type of weapon and up-to-date technology is important eg combat drones –the USA has 7000 allowing it to extend its military reach without endangering its military personnel; aircraft carriers allowing global reach, missiles, fighter jets – the USA’s Martin F-22 Raptor is the only 5 th generation fighter jet in the world and nuclear weapons (only Russia, USA, China, India, Israel, France, North Korea, Pakistan and the United Kingdom have nuclear weapons)Military personnel is also important which may be influenced by population size – China has largest army in the world with 2.3 million in total. Espionage and institutions like MI6 and CIA are also important.Military reach – technology allows weapons to be deployed globally or aircraft carriers provide temporary bases in foreign waters. This is also achieved by providing aid in return for locating military bases overseas allowing them to influence events globally. The USA has most of these. During the cold war the USA and USSR positioned military bases in their spheres of influence to control areas – the USA was especially trying to ‘contain’ the spread of Communism in Eastern Europe and later in SE Asia from China and North Korea. The Cuban Missile Crisis stemmed from the USSR building nuclear missiles in Cuba, only 90miles from the USA’s coast! In recent times, more bases have been located in the Middle East.Proxy Wars - A proxy war is two opposing countries avoiding direct war, and instead supporting combatants that serve their interests and affect the other country’s interests and sometimes territories. For example, the?United States?has been supporting the Syrian rebels (Opposition), whilst Russia has been supporting the Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad. Here the Syrian rebels are a proxy for the United States, and the Syrian government a proxy for Russia.Blue Water Navy – These are arguably essential for global reach and influence – it consists of large, ocean-going ships that can venture into open ocean rather than a green-water navy that can only patrol littoral waters (coastline). These ships can spread influence, engage in combat and importantly, protect trade routes around the worldChina’s Military Reach China has expanded its military and its reach but main focus has been on security of South China Sea where it wants to dominate the sea to the first island chain which it sees as its sphere of influence. This has caused conflict over the areas such as the Spratly Islands. Suggested that protecting trade but also resources of oil and gas are the causes of this. PoliticalGreater political influence if part of an international political organisation. Make key decisions about World economy, conflicts and environmental issues Power is held by a small number of key players in these intergovernmental organisationsOften created by superpowers post war as a way to promote cooperation and reduce conflictCritics say created by superpowers for superpowers and so maintain influenceOECD – Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development established in 1960 with 20 most developed countries in eth world as its co-founders. Aim to promote global development. Today there are 35 members. G8 – until recently, the most influential group – 8 OECD countries with largest economies in the world (France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Russia invited later as a major nuclear power with many resources)G20 – G8 members plus 12 others to reflect shift east n economic power. It includes all of the BRICS and the EU as a single entity. Major economic decision making body especially in a more globalised worldG2 – some people speak of this today – USA and ChinaUnited Nations and UN Security Council- formed in 1945 after World War 2 to promote peace. Membership of the UN Security Council is often seen as ultimate status in military strength. There are 5 permanent members (USA, UK, Russia, China and France) who approve military action when justified in conflicts. Membership is based on those considered to be victors after the war but as other countries have grown economically an din military status, eg India, Pakistan and Israel, membership has been contentious. International Monetary Fund and World Bank – USA and EU major members. Provided money for rebuilding post war Europe and stop the spread of Communism into Easter Europe. Have also provided loans for major infrastructure eg airports and refinanced debt for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs). However, in return they have demanded that those poor countries open up for trade (arguably benefitting the superpowers as they can trade cheaply with these countries and have bigger markets for their own manufactured goods) and also repay debts which has taken money away from health and education keeping other countries in a state of under-development whilst maintaining power for the superpower states. ResourcesCountries with resources necessary for economic development should hold significant power e.g. Russia – gas; Middle East – oilPossession of key resources gives some leverage over others eg OPEC countries can set global oil pricesResources can be human too eg skilled, educated labour or even demographic weight ie large, cheap workforce(However, countries without these often have the economic power to buy in resources or use alternatives)However, countries with significant resources are not necessarily powerful because:Exporting raw materials adds little value e.g. Australia has huge reserves of iron ore but exports most (to China) so does not benefit from the added value of manufacturing theseMany countries’ resources are actually managed by TNCs e.g. BP and Shell have developed Nigeria’s oilfields so the country gets little benefit or influenceOver-reliance on one resource eg Russia’s reliance on natural gas and oil can cause problems when prices are low. DemographicLarge populations provide sufficient labour force to generate economic growth – the more people, the cheaper that labour is attracting FDI; this often means less need for the latest technology. China is facing a slow down partly because of its ageing population following the One Child Policy – labour costs in china are rising making it less competitive for manufacturing. Also provide large consumer markets – spurs economic growth further. The combined EU population is over 500 million which provides a bigger consumer marketAllow for larger military However, countries can attract foreign migrants to fill shortages eg USA and Singapore is a country with a population only half that of London’s but it is a major economic power, attracting FDI and a key player in the Southeast Asian region. Cultural PowerOften termed ‘soft’ power and responsible for maintain influence around the worldHow appealing is a nation’s way of life, values and ideology are to others Exercised through arts, music, film, fashion, food, sport, major events eg Olympics‘Americanisation’ – eg spread of McDonalds, Disney via globalisation ................
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