For a “superpower” you have studied, evaluate the factors which make this nation a superpower? (12 or 20)
There are many different factors which make a nation a superpower. The largest superpower in the
world is the United States as it stands ahead or nearly ahead of almost all other countries in terms of
population, geographic size and location on two oceans, economic resources, and military potential.
The most significant factor which makes the US a superpower is its economic power and influence.
The USA Is the largest superpower in the world and a large part of the reason is due to its economy.
The USA's economic power is unmatched, with the largest nominal GDP in the world at 25.44 trillion
USD. It also has the highest number of TNC’s in the world and the largest amount of FDI (foreign
direct investment) at its disposal. The USA is also a leading member of the WTO, World Bank, IMF
and G8. Furthermore, Wall Street centred in New York City, is the world's leading financial hub,
home to major stock exchanges, investment banks, and asset management firms. One of the main
reasons the US economy has contributed to its superpower status is that economic power translates
into geopolitical influence. The U.S. can leverage its economic strength to shape international
policies, trade agreements, and financial regulations that align with its interests. All of these factors
demonstrate how important the economy is for making a nation a superpower.
Another important factors which makes the USA a superpower is it’s physical size/location. The US’s
land is optimal. The United States has the world's largest proven coal reserves. It is also rich in
copper and lead. 18% of the land in the U.S. is arable land making it an excellent area for farming.
Natural resources make up one of the four factors of production necessary for an economy. Alaska
has great natural resources with the reported value of Alaska's mineral industry in 2020 totalled at
$3.2 billion. The United States gets 81% of its total energy from oil, coal, and natural gas, all of which
are fossil fuel. The U.S. is one of the largest trading nations in the world. In 2020, its total trade in
goods and services amounted to around $5.9 trillion. One of the main reasons for this is it’ location
as it is strategically located between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, providing easy access to major
trade routes linking North America with Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Furthermore, it has an area
of almost 3,800,000 square miles and is the 4 th largest way country in the world. All of these factors
demonstrate how important the US’s physical size/location is to make it a superpower.
Additionally, another factor which makes the USA a superpower is its military. The USA spends more
than $600 billion on defence (the same as the entire economy of Poland) each year. It represents
37% of all global spending on defence across the planet. Of that $600 billion budget around $200
billion is spent of R&D double the spend of Russian and China. The USA enjoys “global reach” and
the ability to strike anywhere in the world almost instantly. Because of its Military the USA is more
spread out across the world as they have military bases spanning across every continent, so the U.S.
maintains a vast network of strategic alliances and partnerships. In addition, the U.S. military leads in
technological innovation, encompassing areas such as cyber warfare, space capabilities, and
unmanned aerial systems. Furthermore, The United States possesses a formidable nuclear arsenal,
including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs),
and strategic bombers. This allows it to have incredible hard power in the world and make possible
threats to other nations without the fear of being destroyed since they contain the most hard power
out of any nation. All of these factors show how the US’s military helps make it a powerful
superpower.
Finally, the last factor which makes the USA a superpower is its cultural influences. Due to cultural
influences, it has allowed the US to have incredible soft power all across the world. Hollywood,
which is centred in Los Angeles, is the world's leading hub for film production. American movies
dominate global box offices, with significant cultural impact worldwide. Statistically, Hollywood films
accounted for over 80% of global box office revenue in 2019, demonstrating the overwhelming
, influence of American cinema. In addition, American music, spanning genres like pop, rock, hip-hop,
and country, enjoys immense popularity around the world. Because of this the United States has the
largest music market globally, with total revenues reaching $12.2 billion, reflecting the country's
dominance in the industry. Furthermore, American fashion brands such as Nike, Adidas, Levi's, and
Ralph Lauren are iconic symbols of style and quality worldwide. This has led to the US being the
largest apparel market globally, with total retail sales amounting to $334 billion showing significance
of American fashion brands. Finally, American TNC’s such as McDonald's are universal symbols of
American culture and lifestyle. They have established a global presence with thousands of locations
worldwide. In 2024, McDonald's has over 40,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries,
demonstrating the global appeal of American fast food. All of these factors show how because of the
US’s cultural influences, such as it’s film industry, fashion and TNC’s they have been able to spread
their cultures globally and help it’s nation become a superpower. All of these factors demonstrate
how cultural influences had helped make the US a superpower.
In conclusion, there are many factors which have helped the United States become a superpower,
which have all been significant however the most significant has been it’s economy as it has allowed
the US to spread its influence across the world, as well as aiding all the other factors which help
make it a superpower such as it’s military as without it’s overwhelming economic status it would not
be able to have the largest military budget in the world (over $600 billion)and the 3 rd largest army
with over 1.4 million active military personnel. So, while all these factors have helped make the US a
superpower, the most important has been its economy.
There are many different factors which make a nation a superpower. The largest superpower in the
world is the United States as it stands ahead or nearly ahead of almost all other countries in terms of
population, geographic size and location on two oceans, economic resources, and military potential.
The most significant factor which makes the US a superpower is its economic power and influence.
The USA Is the largest superpower in the world and a large part of the reason is due to its economy.
The USA's economic power is unmatched, with the largest nominal GDP in the world at 25.44 trillion
USD. It also has the highest number of TNC’s in the world and the largest amount of FDI (foreign
direct investment) at its disposal. The USA is also a leading member of the WTO, World Bank, IMF
and G8. Furthermore, Wall Street centred in New York City, is the world's leading financial hub,
home to major stock exchanges, investment banks, and asset management firms. One of the main
reasons the US economy has contributed to its superpower status is that economic power translates
into geopolitical influence. The U.S. can leverage its economic strength to shape international
policies, trade agreements, and financial regulations that align with its interests. All of these factors
demonstrate how important the economy is for making a nation a superpower.
Another important factors which makes the USA a superpower is it’s physical size/location. The US’s
land is optimal. The United States has the world's largest proven coal reserves. It is also rich in
copper and lead. 18% of the land in the U.S. is arable land making it an excellent area for farming.
Natural resources make up one of the four factors of production necessary for an economy. Alaska
has great natural resources with the reported value of Alaska's mineral industry in 2020 totalled at
$3.2 billion. The United States gets 81% of its total energy from oil, coal, and natural gas, all of which
are fossil fuel. The U.S. is one of the largest trading nations in the world. In 2020, its total trade in
goods and services amounted to around $5.9 trillion. One of the main reasons for this is it’ location
as it is strategically located between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, providing easy access to major
trade routes linking North America with Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Furthermore, it has an area
of almost 3,800,000 square miles and is the 4 th largest way country in the world. All of these factors
demonstrate how important the US’s physical size/location is to make it a superpower.
Additionally, another factor which makes the USA a superpower is its military. The USA spends more
than $600 billion on defence (the same as the entire economy of Poland) each year. It represents
37% of all global spending on defence across the planet. Of that $600 billion budget around $200
billion is spent of R&D double the spend of Russian and China. The USA enjoys “global reach” and
the ability to strike anywhere in the world almost instantly. Because of its Military the USA is more
spread out across the world as they have military bases spanning across every continent, so the U.S.
maintains a vast network of strategic alliances and partnerships. In addition, the U.S. military leads in
technological innovation, encompassing areas such as cyber warfare, space capabilities, and
unmanned aerial systems. Furthermore, The United States possesses a formidable nuclear arsenal,
including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs),
and strategic bombers. This allows it to have incredible hard power in the world and make possible
threats to other nations without the fear of being destroyed since they contain the most hard power
out of any nation. All of these factors show how the US’s military helps make it a powerful
superpower.
Finally, the last factor which makes the USA a superpower is its cultural influences. Due to cultural
influences, it has allowed the US to have incredible soft power all across the world. Hollywood,
which is centred in Los Angeles, is the world's leading hub for film production. American movies
dominate global box offices, with significant cultural impact worldwide. Statistically, Hollywood films
accounted for over 80% of global box office revenue in 2019, demonstrating the overwhelming
, influence of American cinema. In addition, American music, spanning genres like pop, rock, hip-hop,
and country, enjoys immense popularity around the world. Because of this the United States has the
largest music market globally, with total revenues reaching $12.2 billion, reflecting the country's
dominance in the industry. Furthermore, American fashion brands such as Nike, Adidas, Levi's, and
Ralph Lauren are iconic symbols of style and quality worldwide. This has led to the US being the
largest apparel market globally, with total retail sales amounting to $334 billion showing significance
of American fashion brands. Finally, American TNC’s such as McDonald's are universal symbols of
American culture and lifestyle. They have established a global presence with thousands of locations
worldwide. In 2024, McDonald's has over 40,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries,
demonstrating the global appeal of American fast food. All of these factors show how because of the
US’s cultural influences, such as it’s film industry, fashion and TNC’s they have been able to spread
their cultures globally and help it’s nation become a superpower. All of these factors demonstrate
how cultural influences had helped make the US a superpower.
In conclusion, there are many factors which have helped the United States become a superpower,
which have all been significant however the most significant has been it’s economy as it has allowed
the US to spread its influence across the world, as well as aiding all the other factors which help
make it a superpower such as it’s military as without it’s overwhelming economic status it would not
be able to have the largest military budget in the world (over $600 billion)and the 3 rd largest army
with over 1.4 million active military personnel. So, while all these factors have helped make the US a
superpower, the most important has been its economy.
