Global Superpowers (DP IB Geography)

Revision Note

Super & Soft Power

  • A superpower is a nation which is able to project its influence and be dominant on a global scale in many countries at the same time

  • Superpower status is gained through large-scale economic, cultural, resource, military and political strength

Factors leading to superpower status
Factors leading to superpower status
  • Several factors are listed above but many have characteristics that are linked

  • The USA and the former USSR competed to become superpowers after World War II

  • Influence can be achieved through soft and hard power

    • Soft power is use of diplomacy and cultural influence to change individuals, communities and nations without the use of force

      • For example, Starbucks and McDonalds are cultural influences from the USA

    • Hard power is the use of military force, economics, and trade policies to force a change

      • Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a use of military 'hard' power

      • Economic sanctions have been imposed on Russia to try and deter them from their continued invasion of Ukraine

    • A combination of hard and soft power leads to the development of smart power, where balance of power is maintained

A scale showing the levels of hard to soft power
The scale of hard and soft powers

Rising Superpowers

  • The USA was left as the only superpower after the collapse of communism and the breakup of the USSR after 1991

  • However, some argue that it is losing its superpower status due to a number of factors

    • The unsuccessful involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan in an attempt to end terrorism following the September 2001 terrorist attacks

    • The 2008 global financial crisis left the USA with declining economic strength, while other nations gained ground

    • During the Trump presidency, the USA took on an inward-looking policy of 'America First' and reduced its overseas commitments

  • There are a number of nations that are regarded as emerging superpowers

    • The European Union (EU)

    • The BRICS nations:

      • Brazil

      • Russia

      • India

      • China

      • South Africa, although this is more regional power

Examiner Tip

Remember that BRICS countries have separate strengths and weaknesses that allow them to dominate in one or more areas of influence.

  • Over recent years, there has been the emergence of the MINT economies as successors to the BRICS

    • Mexico

    • Indonesia

    • Nigeria

    • Türkiye (Turkey)

  • These countries have the potential for rapid economic growth and a rise in global importance but could suffer as a result of corruption, political instability and economic crises

USA Military-Industrial Complex (MIC)

Case Study

  • Military-Industrial Complex (MIC) describes the connection between a country's government, its military and the industry that supplies it, known as the defence industry

  • The reach of a country's military is key to the level of power they have:

    • A global reach means that the military can be used to achieve geopolitical goals

  • The size and power of the military are dependent on a number of factors, including:

    • The size and age of the population to maintain the size of the military

    • Defence spending on the military: personnel, technology and weapons

  • Superpowers and emerging powers have:

    • Large military forces

    • Nuclear weapons

    • Export arms 

    • Influential roles in international military organisations such as NATO 

  • The US Armed Forces is one of the world's largest and most technologically advanced military units

  • It would not be able to maintain this without private defence contractors designing, testing, manufacturing, and implementing systems, weapons and vehicles for the government

  • All this gives the US superiority over land, sea, and air (which includes space and communication)

  • There is also a global US military presence, with overseas bases providing support, protection and training to other countries

  • One-in-six US households has a family member involved in the MIC

  • The US spends more on defence than China, India, Russia, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and the UK combined

  • In 2023, President Joe Biden allocated $816.7 billion to military defence, which was more than half the federal discretionary budget

    • This left public health, education, job training and environmental protection agencies competing for the remainder

  • In 2020, the Pentagon awarded $75 billion in contracts to Lockheed Martin, which was more than the entire budgets of the State Department and International Development Agency

  • It's estimated that the average US taxpayer spends $270 on education, $6 on renewable energy and $1087 on weapons contractors per year

China's Rise to Power

Case Study

  • Since 2000, China has been an emerging power and is identified as the main challenger to the USA's superpower status

  • China has a large economic influence

    • It has the world's largest economy by purchasing power parity

    • But it remains below the US in GDP terms

      • US GDP per capita in 2022 was US$68,615 compared to US$21,804 in China

    • It is dubbed the 'world's factory,' and its manufacturing capabilities are unmatched due to its large population

    • China has invested in several regions, including Africa and Asia

    • China heavily invests in infrastructure

  • China's geopolitical influence includes:

    • Being a permanent member of the UN Security Council allows China to wield influence by its veto power

    • China's involvement in regional forums like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation strengthens its local and global influence

    • It has launched initiatives such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to increase its political influence

    • China tends to stay out of global issues

    • China is not a democracy and relationships with other nations are not always positive

  • China promotes its language and culture globally through developments such as the Confucius Institute

    • Chinese festivals, especially the Lunar New Year, and other worldwide celebrations

    • Chinese cinema and arts are increasing in global approval

    • Chinese foods are increasingly popular around the world

  • China's military force is ranked third as the most powerful and has an overall advantage with its available workforce

    • China has the second-largest defence budget globally and has nuclear capabilities, but it is not always well equipped

    • It has limited military reach, with only one overseas base

    • The navy rarely leaves the Indo-Pacific region

  • As China continues to dominate, it must address challenges such as its ageing population, environmental issues and complex geopolitical circumstances such as territorial disputes

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