SUPERPOWERS EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Explain the principles and limitations of the modernisation theory. - ANSWER-
Transition from traditional to modern society requires pre-conditions for take-off,
including exports of raw materials, development of infrastructure and banking
finance. All nations will pass through five stages developing countries will remain
where they are if they do not seek to establish conditions for take-off.
Limitations:
• Purely economic, ignores political or cultural power
• Outdated
• There are countries e.g. Nigeria who have the pre-conditions for take-off but are yet
to develop
Explain the principles and limitations of the dependency theory. - ANSWER-
Developing countries export raw materials for low prices and buy them back from
developed countries for higher prices. In this way, superpowers maintain economic
control over them and inhibit their ability to develop. They also use aid, military
assistance and political alliances as a means of neo-colonialism.
Limitations:
• Exceptions e.g. NICs like South Korea and Taiwan have managed to economically
develop despite recently being developing
• World economic structure is far more complex than two tiers- many products are
manufactured in NICs and BRICs before being sold on to superpowers
Explain the principles and limitations of the World Systems Theory - ANSWER-
Development seen as a global process with tree main categories: periphery regions
(LDCs), semi-periphery regions (BRICs, NICs, MINTs) and core regions. Core
countries exploit SP through FDI, but this helps SP to develop. Periphery countries
are exploited by all countries for their raw materials and benefit the least. A countries
position can change over time.
Limitations:
Provides an observation of world affairs, doesn't make predictions or offer solutions.
World Bank - ANSWER-• Makes loans to developing countries
• Within a "free market" model, which promotes trade, industrialisation and private
businesses and hence benefits large developed world TNCs
• Votes within it are shared depending on economy size: USA have 16.5%
• 85% is needed to pass any substantial issue
• E.g. in 2014, it gave $470million to the Philippines for poverty reduction
IMF - ANSWER-• Promotes global economic security and assists reform of country's
economies
• Economic reforms mean more open access to developing economies for TNCs
In the 1980s the IMF and World Bank gave loans to LDCs in debt. These involved
making adjustments such as cuts in public spending, health and education, which
had a negative impact on many LDCs.
, World Economic Forum - ANSWER-• Swiss non-profit that promotes globalisation
and free trade
• Annual meeting in Davos brings together delegates from global businesses and
political elite
• Large TNCs represented and governments from around the world "rich club of
global elites"
• Informal socialising and networking, decisions are not made here
• Davos 2011: idea of New Development Bank
WTO - ANSWER-• Promotes global trade by brokering many agreements aimed at
promoting open trade and reducing protectionism
• More developed countries can afford more delegates and votes (as well as inside
knowledge) so have bigger say
• Dominated by the Quads (USA, Canada, EU, Japan) and LDC votes often go
unheard
Explain how emerging economies are influencing political systems - ANSWER-New
Development Bank: Approved four projects in China, Russia and India with loans
totalling $1.4billion in January 2017
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): Founded to bring countries together to
address infrastructure needs across Asia
G20
• Brings together world's leading 20 industrialised and emerging economies
• Accounts for 85% world GDP and 2/3 population
• Includes BRICS
Explain how emerging economies are influencing economic systems - ANSWER-
Economic growth
• BRICS have approximately 22% world GDP and a combined population of 3 billion
• By 2050, 6 of the 7 largest economies are predicted to be emerging economies:
China 1st, India 2nd with the US trailing 3rd- UK down to 10th
• EU27s share of global GDP could fall below 10% by 2059
Describe the environmental problems faced by a named emerging country and how
they are overcoming them. - ANSWER-Problems:
• In 2012, just 36% had access to improved sanitation
• Air and water pollution, deforestation and natural disasters lost India $80billion in
2014 (nearly 6% of its economic activity)
• 52% loss attributable to air pollution, which cuts crop yields in half
• "world's capital for open defecations"
Solutions:
• "Clean India mission" 2013: 5-year effort to clean up the Ganges and eliminate
open defecation
• First country ever to mandate corporate social responsibility (CSR): 8'000
companies to invest 2% of profits yearly (earns India $2billion annually)
Multipolar - ANSWER-a more complex world where many superpowers and
emerging powers compete for power in different regions
e.g. 1919-1939
Risks:
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Explain the principles and limitations of the modernisation theory. - ANSWER-
Transition from traditional to modern society requires pre-conditions for take-off,
including exports of raw materials, development of infrastructure and banking
finance. All nations will pass through five stages developing countries will remain
where they are if they do not seek to establish conditions for take-off.
Limitations:
• Purely economic, ignores political or cultural power
• Outdated
• There are countries e.g. Nigeria who have the pre-conditions for take-off but are yet
to develop
Explain the principles and limitations of the dependency theory. - ANSWER-
Developing countries export raw materials for low prices and buy them back from
developed countries for higher prices. In this way, superpowers maintain economic
control over them and inhibit their ability to develop. They also use aid, military
assistance and political alliances as a means of neo-colonialism.
Limitations:
• Exceptions e.g. NICs like South Korea and Taiwan have managed to economically
develop despite recently being developing
• World economic structure is far more complex than two tiers- many products are
manufactured in NICs and BRICs before being sold on to superpowers
Explain the principles and limitations of the World Systems Theory - ANSWER-
Development seen as a global process with tree main categories: periphery regions
(LDCs), semi-periphery regions (BRICs, NICs, MINTs) and core regions. Core
countries exploit SP through FDI, but this helps SP to develop. Periphery countries
are exploited by all countries for their raw materials and benefit the least. A countries
position can change over time.
Limitations:
Provides an observation of world affairs, doesn't make predictions or offer solutions.
World Bank - ANSWER-• Makes loans to developing countries
• Within a "free market" model, which promotes trade, industrialisation and private
businesses and hence benefits large developed world TNCs
• Votes within it are shared depending on economy size: USA have 16.5%
• 85% is needed to pass any substantial issue
• E.g. in 2014, it gave $470million to the Philippines for poverty reduction
IMF - ANSWER-• Promotes global economic security and assists reform of country's
economies
• Economic reforms mean more open access to developing economies for TNCs
In the 1980s the IMF and World Bank gave loans to LDCs in debt. These involved
making adjustments such as cuts in public spending, health and education, which
had a negative impact on many LDCs.
, World Economic Forum - ANSWER-• Swiss non-profit that promotes globalisation
and free trade
• Annual meeting in Davos brings together delegates from global businesses and
political elite
• Large TNCs represented and governments from around the world "rich club of
global elites"
• Informal socialising and networking, decisions are not made here
• Davos 2011: idea of New Development Bank
WTO - ANSWER-• Promotes global trade by brokering many agreements aimed at
promoting open trade and reducing protectionism
• More developed countries can afford more delegates and votes (as well as inside
knowledge) so have bigger say
• Dominated by the Quads (USA, Canada, EU, Japan) and LDC votes often go
unheard
Explain how emerging economies are influencing political systems - ANSWER-New
Development Bank: Approved four projects in China, Russia and India with loans
totalling $1.4billion in January 2017
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): Founded to bring countries together to
address infrastructure needs across Asia
G20
• Brings together world's leading 20 industrialised and emerging economies
• Accounts for 85% world GDP and 2/3 population
• Includes BRICS
Explain how emerging economies are influencing economic systems - ANSWER-
Economic growth
• BRICS have approximately 22% world GDP and a combined population of 3 billion
• By 2050, 6 of the 7 largest economies are predicted to be emerging economies:
China 1st, India 2nd with the US trailing 3rd- UK down to 10th
• EU27s share of global GDP could fall below 10% by 2059
Describe the environmental problems faced by a named emerging country and how
they are overcoming them. - ANSWER-Problems:
• In 2012, just 36% had access to improved sanitation
• Air and water pollution, deforestation and natural disasters lost India $80billion in
2014 (nearly 6% of its economic activity)
• 52% loss attributable to air pollution, which cuts crop yields in half
• "world's capital for open defecations"
Solutions:
• "Clean India mission" 2013: 5-year effort to clean up the Ganges and eliminate
open defecation
• First country ever to mandate corporate social responsibility (CSR): 8'000
companies to invest 2% of profits yearly (earns India $2billion annually)
Multipolar - ANSWER-a more complex world where many superpowers and
emerging powers compete for power in different regions
e.g. 1919-1939
Risks:
