SUPERPOWERS
Superpower: A nation with the means to project its power and influence anywhere in the world,
and to be a dominant global force.
Hyperpower: A state that dominates all other states in every domain (e.g. military, economically
and culturally)
Regional power: A state that has power within its geographic region
Emerging power: A state which is increasing its power and influence in the world
What characteristics do countries need to be superpowers?
Mechanisms of power:
Mechanism How does the mechanism help to Relative importance of Examples
of power maintain power? the mechanism?
Physical • Geographical position can 5. Quite important - Russia is the world’s
size and allow access to various medium largest country with
geographic
al position trade routes. feet in both Europe and
• Determines the area over Trade routes have Asia and it controls
which a country has become less significant resource. As
potential influence - larger important e.g. 3D a result Russia exerts
countries usually have printers can send and its influence over its 14
greater resources and physical size does neighbours in different
more influence. E.g. USA, not guarantee a large ways.
Canada. population.
Economic • The world’s 10 largest 1.Highly important - In 2015 half of all
power economies between them high global investment
earn 65% of global GDP, passed through London
control investment, have Enables control over creating jobs in
the world’s most powerful all of the other London’s financial
currencies and determine mechanisms. A large, sector including
global economic policies. powerful economy investment bank and
• The world’s 20 largest give nations the legal services.
economies also give the means to build wealth
most aid to the and maintain a
developing world although powerful military,
in some cases aid is exploit natural
granted only to those resources and
agreeing to policies develop human ones
specified by the donor through education.
country.
Natural • Oils and metals are useful 7. Not important can Russia (energy
resources for economic development. be overcome – low superpower) is the
• However, possession world’s largest country,
does not guarantee Although natural covering 17million km2,
development as TNCs resources are a with 11 time zones;
may dominate e.g. BP necessary asset they controls significant
Shell in Nigeria. can be purchased. resources, and lays
• Nonetheless, possession claim to some of the
of key resources gives Arctic Circle.
some leverage over
others.
, • Cultural power includes 2 Important – high TNCs such as Time-
Cultural how appealing a nation’s Warner, Disney News
influence way of life, values and This changes Corporation or Sony,
ideology are to others. It behavioral patterns dominate global culture
is often exercised through and spreads by deciding which films
film, the arts and food. acceptance of a people can watch, and
• Increased globalisation superpower. which radio stations
has led to a global and music they can
culture, spread via listen to.
multimedia TNCs.
• Used by countries to 3 important – high The USA dominates
Military protect themselves other countries in terms
strength against challenges. Critical as a deterrent of military budget and
and could be used for capability, with 37% of
• It has historically been a geopolitical goals e.g. global military
major influence in annexation of Crimea spending. 12% of
determining power. by Russia. USA’s annual military
• The size of military forces budget is spent on
is often less significant research, development
than national defense and testing.
budgets and
technology.
Demogra • Population size can 6. not that important In Mexico youth
phic determine economic can be overcome – unemployment is an
strength success by providing a low issue whilst
sufficient labour force to China and India each
generate economic Important for military use their large
growth. factors to increase populations as a
• A large population also personnel, economic source of cheap labour
spurs economic growth productivity and in manufacturing.
because It provides a market size however,
market, yet a large open door
population is not critical to immigration
power and can create increases numbers.
unemployment.
• Immigration can
overcome a small
population to an extent.
• Greater influence can be 4. Important – Until recently, the G8
achieved by linking up medium was the most influential
Political with like-minded group – they are a
influence countries. Membership of group of 8 high income
• Role of international international countries.
organisations has now organisations
become more significant provides
as economic problems opportunities to
, have assumed a global influence the policies
dimension. of other countries as
• The importance of each well as global affairs.
organisation varies over
time.
How do superpowers maintain their power?
What is hard power?
At its extreme it is the expression of a country’s will or influence through military force.
What is soft power?
Power that arises from three of a country’s resources: culture, political values and foreign
policies.
The contrasts between hard and soft power is best seen on a spectrum which consists of a
range of actions that could be taken by countries to express their power or influence.
HARD POWER SOFT POWER
Military presence and force Economic power Culture and ideology
Military action, or the threat of it Favouring certain trade partners Using media to promote a particular
Britain’s expansionist policy in the Trade bloc alliances image and message
imperial phase Giving allies economic and The values and ideology some nations
Military actions taken in Iraq and technical help seen as appealing
Afghanistan, the annexation of Crimea Using aid to influence policy Exporting culture in the form of film and
by Russia TV or globally recognized brands e.g.
Economic sanctions used to damage a global dominance through TNCs such as
nation’s economy Coca-Cola
Those taken against Iran to try to
prevent the nation from developing it
from developing its military nuclear
capability
It is argued that true superpowers need to combine both a ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ power
approach to become a ‘smart power’.
, Military
Land Number Pow
Populatio Spending Nucle Cultural Influence
Area of er
Country n GDP 2016 ar number of top 10
Rank
(km2 countries
(millions) (billions State brands (1-7)
) bordering
USD)
USA 9.8 2 326 19 597 Yes 8 1
million trillion
USD
Russia 17 14 144 1.6 81 Yes 4
million trillion 0
UK 24.5 1 66 2.6 56 Yes 5
thousa trillion 0
nd
China 9.6 16 1,386 12.2 145 Yes 2
million trillion 0
Brazil 8.5 10 209 2.1 24.2 No 6
million trillion 0
India 3.3 6 1,339 2.6 48 Yes 3
million trillion 0
South 1.2 6 57 349 3.2 No 7
Africa million billion 0
Mackinder’s Heartland Theory
• The theory is based on the idea of a ‘pivot area’ or ‘Heartland’ covering a large portion of the
Eurasian continent.
• Mackinder believed that whichever country held political control over this Heartland region
would in turn exert dominance over the rest of the world.
• In theory the further away from the heartland a country was, the less influence it would have.
How relevant has the theory been in the past and today?
• It is claimed that the theory has influenced key foreign policies on a global scale and remains
highly relevant and influential today. It arguably influenced German foreign policy (WW2) and
the USA’s ‘Truman Doctrine’ policy of the 1940s and 1950s to contain the spread of
communism.
• However, Mackinder’s theory has been criticised and some would argue that its applicability to
today’s geopolitical landscape is questionable.
• There has been a clear shift in economic power eastwards reflecting the growing importance of
China.
How was power gained and maintained during the colonial era?
Superpower: A nation with the means to project its power and influence anywhere in the world,
and to be a dominant global force.
Hyperpower: A state that dominates all other states in every domain (e.g. military, economically
and culturally)
Regional power: A state that has power within its geographic region
Emerging power: A state which is increasing its power and influence in the world
What characteristics do countries need to be superpowers?
Mechanisms of power:
Mechanism How does the mechanism help to Relative importance of Examples
of power maintain power? the mechanism?
Physical • Geographical position can 5. Quite important - Russia is the world’s
size and allow access to various medium largest country with
geographic
al position trade routes. feet in both Europe and
• Determines the area over Trade routes have Asia and it controls
which a country has become less significant resource. As
potential influence - larger important e.g. 3D a result Russia exerts
countries usually have printers can send and its influence over its 14
greater resources and physical size does neighbours in different
more influence. E.g. USA, not guarantee a large ways.
Canada. population.
Economic • The world’s 10 largest 1.Highly important - In 2015 half of all
power economies between them high global investment
earn 65% of global GDP, passed through London
control investment, have Enables control over creating jobs in
the world’s most powerful all of the other London’s financial
currencies and determine mechanisms. A large, sector including
global economic policies. powerful economy investment bank and
• The world’s 20 largest give nations the legal services.
economies also give the means to build wealth
most aid to the and maintain a
developing world although powerful military,
in some cases aid is exploit natural
granted only to those resources and
agreeing to policies develop human ones
specified by the donor through education.
country.
Natural • Oils and metals are useful 7. Not important can Russia (energy
resources for economic development. be overcome – low superpower) is the
• However, possession world’s largest country,
does not guarantee Although natural covering 17million km2,
development as TNCs resources are a with 11 time zones;
may dominate e.g. BP necessary asset they controls significant
Shell in Nigeria. can be purchased. resources, and lays
• Nonetheless, possession claim to some of the
of key resources gives Arctic Circle.
some leverage over
others.
, • Cultural power includes 2 Important – high TNCs such as Time-
Cultural how appealing a nation’s Warner, Disney News
influence way of life, values and This changes Corporation or Sony,
ideology are to others. It behavioral patterns dominate global culture
is often exercised through and spreads by deciding which films
film, the arts and food. acceptance of a people can watch, and
• Increased globalisation superpower. which radio stations
has led to a global and music they can
culture, spread via listen to.
multimedia TNCs.
• Used by countries to 3 important – high The USA dominates
Military protect themselves other countries in terms
strength against challenges. Critical as a deterrent of military budget and
and could be used for capability, with 37% of
• It has historically been a geopolitical goals e.g. global military
major influence in annexation of Crimea spending. 12% of
determining power. by Russia. USA’s annual military
• The size of military forces budget is spent on
is often less significant research, development
than national defense and testing.
budgets and
technology.
Demogra • Population size can 6. not that important In Mexico youth
phic determine economic can be overcome – unemployment is an
strength success by providing a low issue whilst
sufficient labour force to China and India each
generate economic Important for military use their large
growth. factors to increase populations as a
• A large population also personnel, economic source of cheap labour
spurs economic growth productivity and in manufacturing.
because It provides a market size however,
market, yet a large open door
population is not critical to immigration
power and can create increases numbers.
unemployment.
• Immigration can
overcome a small
population to an extent.
• Greater influence can be 4. Important – Until recently, the G8
achieved by linking up medium was the most influential
Political with like-minded group – they are a
influence countries. Membership of group of 8 high income
• Role of international international countries.
organisations has now organisations
become more significant provides
as economic problems opportunities to
, have assumed a global influence the policies
dimension. of other countries as
• The importance of each well as global affairs.
organisation varies over
time.
How do superpowers maintain their power?
What is hard power?
At its extreme it is the expression of a country’s will or influence through military force.
What is soft power?
Power that arises from three of a country’s resources: culture, political values and foreign
policies.
The contrasts between hard and soft power is best seen on a spectrum which consists of a
range of actions that could be taken by countries to express their power or influence.
HARD POWER SOFT POWER
Military presence and force Economic power Culture and ideology
Military action, or the threat of it Favouring certain trade partners Using media to promote a particular
Britain’s expansionist policy in the Trade bloc alliances image and message
imperial phase Giving allies economic and The values and ideology some nations
Military actions taken in Iraq and technical help seen as appealing
Afghanistan, the annexation of Crimea Using aid to influence policy Exporting culture in the form of film and
by Russia TV or globally recognized brands e.g.
Economic sanctions used to damage a global dominance through TNCs such as
nation’s economy Coca-Cola
Those taken against Iran to try to
prevent the nation from developing it
from developing its military nuclear
capability
It is argued that true superpowers need to combine both a ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ power
approach to become a ‘smart power’.
, Military
Land Number Pow
Populatio Spending Nucle Cultural Influence
Area of er
Country n GDP 2016 ar number of top 10
Rank
(km2 countries
(millions) (billions State brands (1-7)
) bordering
USD)
USA 9.8 2 326 19 597 Yes 8 1
million trillion
USD
Russia 17 14 144 1.6 81 Yes 4
million trillion 0
UK 24.5 1 66 2.6 56 Yes 5
thousa trillion 0
nd
China 9.6 16 1,386 12.2 145 Yes 2
million trillion 0
Brazil 8.5 10 209 2.1 24.2 No 6
million trillion 0
India 3.3 6 1,339 2.6 48 Yes 3
million trillion 0
South 1.2 6 57 349 3.2 No 7
Africa million billion 0
Mackinder’s Heartland Theory
• The theory is based on the idea of a ‘pivot area’ or ‘Heartland’ covering a large portion of the
Eurasian continent.
• Mackinder believed that whichever country held political control over this Heartland region
would in turn exert dominance over the rest of the world.
• In theory the further away from the heartland a country was, the less influence it would have.
How relevant has the theory been in the past and today?
• It is claimed that the theory has influenced key foreign policies on a global scale and remains
highly relevant and influential today. It arguably influenced German foreign policy (WW2) and
the USA’s ‘Truman Doctrine’ policy of the 1940s and 1950s to contain the spread of
communism.
• However, Mackinder’s theory has been criticised and some would argue that its applicability to
today’s geopolitical landscape is questionable.
• There has been a clear shift in economic power eastwards reflecting the growing importance of
China.
How was power gained and maintained during the colonial era?
