Superpowers
Contents
The Characteristics of Superpowers......................................................................................................1
Changing Patterns of Power..................................................................................................................3
Emerging Powers...................................................................................................................................8
Superpowers’ Influence over the Global Economic System.................................................................13
International Decision Making.............................................................................................................20
Global Environmental Concerns..........................................................................................................22
Contested Global Influence.................................................................................................................24
Developing Nations..............................................................................................................................27
Challenges to Existing Superpowers....................................................................................................32
The Characteristics of Superpowers
Superpowers, emerging powers, regional powers & hyperpower
Superpowers
o A nation that can conduct a global strategy including: possibility to destroy world
o command vast economic & political influence
o present a universal ideology
o project hard & soft power simultaneously (and smart power)
o project its influence anywhere in the world
Hyperpower
o a lone superpower
o an unchallenged superpower that is dominant in all aspects of power e.g. US
o hegemon
Emerging power
o countries with plentiful resources and a fast growing economies
o potential to become superpowers
o economic, military & political influence already growing
Regional powers
o influence countries at a continental scale
o e.g. South Africa in Africa
4 Pillars of superpower status
o Economic power
prerequisite of power
Page 1 of 36
Superpowers
Contents
The Characteristics of Superpowers......................................................................................................1
Changing Patterns of Power..................................................................................................................3
Emerging Powers...................................................................................................................................8
Superpowers’ Influence over the Global Economic System.................................................................13
International Decision Making.............................................................................................................20
Global Environmental Concerns..........................................................................................................22
Contested Global Influence.................................................................................................................24
Developing Nations..............................................................................................................................27
Challenges to Existing Superpowers....................................................................................................32
The Characteristics of Superpowers
Superpowers, emerging powers, regional powers & hyperpower
Superpowers
o A nation that can conduct a global strategy including: possibility to destroy world
o command vast economic & political influence
o present a universal ideology
o project hard & soft power simultaneously (and smart power)
o project its influence anywhere in the world
Hyperpower
o a lone superpower
o an unchallenged superpower that is dominant in all aspects of power e.g. US
o hegemon
Emerging power
o countries with plentiful resources and a fast growing economies
o potential to become superpowers
o economic, military & political influence already growing
Regional powers
o influence countries at a continental scale
o e.g. South Africa in Africa
4 Pillars of superpower status
o Economic power
prerequisite of power
Page 1 of 36
Superpowers
