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A2 GCE Geography Unit 3 Geographical Superpowers © Geography Department, London Academy Superpower Geographies 1. Superpower Geographies a) defining superpowers b) influencing power b) changing patterns of power c) theories explaining the growth of superpowers Learning Objectives: • To know what a superpower is • To know the changing order of superpowers since 1945 • To be able to suggest and justify criteria for becoming a superpower • To know how to use ICT for investigating geographical statistics © Geography Department, London Academy Background • Power – both economic and political – is not evenly distributed • Some nations and people have a disproportionate influence over decision making (may be regional or global) • Other nations and people have very limited influence • Some nations gain power over time, whilst others lose it • By consequence, the geography of power has changed over time and continues to change superpower What is a superpower? A super power is a nation which is able to project its power and influence anywhere in the world. It is a dominant global force. Short Task: In pairs, use the cards you have been given to decide which countries are superpowers. © Geography Department, London Academy superpower former superpower True superpowers are rare because they demand such huge resources. However, as you may have guessed the global superpowers have changed over time. emerging superpower Task 1 : Sort your chosen superpowers into three groups. Task 2: Timeline of Superpowers Write down the key dates in the timeline of global superpowers, you must include the names of the superpowers during each period. •1850 – 1945 _________________________ •1945 – 1990 _________________________ •1990 – Present _______________________ •Emerging 21st Century Superpowers _________________________________ We now need to know what the criteria are for becoming a superpower and be able to explain these. © Geography Department, London Academy Criteria for being a successful student. 1) Attendance 2) Punctuality 3) Attitude 4) Homework Superpowers are so interesting! I can’t put this book down! How would you explain each of these criteria? Criteria for being a successful 80’s pop star. 1) What criteria would define a successful 80’s pop star? 2) How would you explain this criteria? What criteria defines a superpower? population resources size Criteria for defining a superpower military strength Economic strength TASK: In pairs choose one of the criteria and discuss your ideas as to how it could define a superpower. Can you think of any examples that you already know? © Geography Department, London Academy SIZE How might size be included in the criteria for a superpower? Each territory’s size on the map is drawn according to its land area Size • Countries with a large land area are important because they: – Tend to have greater natural resources – Extend influence over a larger number of neighbours Russia has a very large land area with enormous volumes of natural resources. Further, it has 14 neighbours over whom it is able to extend varying degrees of influence POPULATION Why might population be included in the criteria for a superpower? A map showing the proportion of worldwide population relative to territory size Population • Countries with a large population are seen as important because: – Economic growth cannot be sustained without sufficient number of workers e.g. UK – Cheap workers can help to promote economic growth e.g. China and India – Larger populations encourage economic growth through markets e.g. EU – However, some countries have managed to promote significant economic growth without a large population e.g. Singapore RESOURCES Why is access to resources a criteria for superpower? A map showing the proportion of worldwide fuel imports relative to territory size Resources • Countries with resources necessary for economic development should hold significant power e.g. Russia – gas; Middle East – oil • However, countries with significant resources are not necessarily powerful because: – Exporting raw materials adds little value e.g. Australia – iron ore – TNCs control large volumes of resources e.g. BP - Nigeria MILITARY INDICATORS Why is military strength a criteria for superpower? A map showing the proportion of armed forces personnel relative to territory size Military Indicators • Countries with a large military may be viewed to be more powerful e.g. India • However, the type of weapons owned is also representative of power i.e. Countries in possession of nuclear weapons: USA, Russia, UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, (Israel) ECONOMIC INDICATORS Why is economic strength a criteria for superpower? Territory size shows proportion of worldwide GDP to be produced there in 2015 Economic Indicators • Countries with the largest economies have a significant influence over global economies • In 2007, the world’s 12 largest economies were: USA China India Japan Canada Brazil UK France Spain Germany Italy Russia • Between these countries they: – – – – Earn around 2/3 of world GDP Control investment Use the world’s most powerful currencies ($, € and £) Determine economic policies which affect the globe • In addition, the G20 group (countries with the 19 largest economies plus the EU) influence the global economy and control aid to LEDCs Religion Religion • Religion varies in influence across the world • The influence of European (predominantly Christian) colonisation can be seen in North and South America, southern Africa and Australasia • Islam is the main religion in northern Africa, the Middle East and pats of Asia • Religious leaders can influence politics through their beliefs (e.g. contraception, abortion) Belief Systems • Religion is not the only form of belief system • Capitalism has a huge, and ever growing, influence on the world (particularly since the collapse of the USSR in 1991) • Capitalism is the system by which land, labour and capital are owned privately and are used to generate profit • Whilst not everyone agrees with capitalism, it’s influence reaches most of the world, aided by globalisation Global Influence • All of the factors considered above are variable. By consequence, the influence countries have on surrounding nations and, more broadly, the world, can change. • Therefore, countries which may once have been considered Superpowers may no longer have such influence, whilst other countries are gaining in power Comparing Indicators – Who is a Superpower? 1. Use the internet to research data on the countries below and complete the table, leaving the final column blank for now. Choose one additional country for the bottom row. Suggested links: http://www.nationmaster.com/index.php https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ Country USA Russia China Brazil UK France Germany Japan India Land area (km²) Number of countries bordering Population GDP per (millions) capita ($US) Military Nuclear personnel state (000s) (Y/N) Natural Oil RANK gas reserves reserves (barrels) (cu. Ft.) 2. Using the data that you have collected, now rank the countries from 1 to 10, including the additional country that you chose, where 1 is the country with the greatest influence, and 10 the country with the least. 3. Justify the rankings that you have allocated each country below: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ Task 1 : Rank this criteria used to define superpowers in order of importance RELIGION S SIZE P POPULATION R RESOURCES MILITARY M STRENGTH E ECONOMIC STRENGTH Task 2 : Justify your choice.