SUPERPOWERS EQ3 4 MARKERS
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Explain the uncertainties over the future superpowers - ANSWER-Climate change
may contribute to the flooding of agricultural land and urban settlements that
contributes to mass displacement and reduced economic productivity as sea levels
rise. Demographic changes may contribute to a smaller population that reduces
expenditure on military power and FDI projects abroad to project hard and soft power
abroad, and expand their sphere of influence - possibly affecting China following the
'one-child policy' that means there are far more men than women.
Explain why advanced technologies are important in helping existing superpowers
maintain their influence and emerging superpowers expand their influence -
ANSWER-Nuclear weapons (e.g. Trident missiles in the UK) can be used by existing
superpowers to prevent the expansion of rival countries into their sphere of
influence, evidenced during the Cold War between the US and Soviet Union divided
by the Berlin Wall. Naval power can be used by emerging superpowers to expand
their control over vital strategic locations necessary for physical resources extraction
and as trade routes (e.g. 30% of sea trade travels through South China Sea).
Explain how developing economic ties between emerging powers and the
developing world brings opportunities and challenges - ANSWER-Investment in
infrastructure (e.g. railway between Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya) in developing
countries by emerging powers can contribute to the creation of jobs and a positive
multiplier effect. 'Debt-trap diplomacy' (e.g. Coca Coda Sinclair Dam, Ecuador)
means that developing countries are often unable to repay debts owed by
investment projects and are forced to surrender some of their national sovereignty to
foreign military forces (e.g. Hambantota Port, Sri Lanka seized by China under a
100-year loan).
Explain the causes of tensions in the Middle East - ANSWER-Religion: historic
religious divisions between Sunni (e.g. Saudi Arabia) and Shia (e.g. Iran) Islam has
encouraged countries holding these respective religious ideologies to conduct proxy
warfare in the Middle East (e.g. Syria) to promote their respective ideology. 'Youth
bulge' demographics: a large proportion of the population are young and
unemployed, provoking social unrest between the population and government
officials (e.g. Arab Spring 2011) who are often oppressive and cannot provide
adequate employment opportunities relative to demand.
Explain how developing economic ties between emerging powers and the
developing world generate environmental impacts - ANSWER-Growing demand for
raw materials from the developing world by consumers and industry in emerging
countries contributes to deforestation and subsequent biodiversity loss - especially in
corrupt developing countries (e.g. Nigeria). The construction of industrial operations
through FDI in developing countries contributes to air and water pollution, in part,
due to a lack of (enforced) environmental standards.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Explain the uncertainties over the future superpowers - ANSWER-Climate change
may contribute to the flooding of agricultural land and urban settlements that
contributes to mass displacement and reduced economic productivity as sea levels
rise. Demographic changes may contribute to a smaller population that reduces
expenditure on military power and FDI projects abroad to project hard and soft power
abroad, and expand their sphere of influence - possibly affecting China following the
'one-child policy' that means there are far more men than women.
Explain why advanced technologies are important in helping existing superpowers
maintain their influence and emerging superpowers expand their influence -
ANSWER-Nuclear weapons (e.g. Trident missiles in the UK) can be used by existing
superpowers to prevent the expansion of rival countries into their sphere of
influence, evidenced during the Cold War between the US and Soviet Union divided
by the Berlin Wall. Naval power can be used by emerging superpowers to expand
their control over vital strategic locations necessary for physical resources extraction
and as trade routes (e.g. 30% of sea trade travels through South China Sea).
Explain how developing economic ties between emerging powers and the
developing world brings opportunities and challenges - ANSWER-Investment in
infrastructure (e.g. railway between Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya) in developing
countries by emerging powers can contribute to the creation of jobs and a positive
multiplier effect. 'Debt-trap diplomacy' (e.g. Coca Coda Sinclair Dam, Ecuador)
means that developing countries are often unable to repay debts owed by
investment projects and are forced to surrender some of their national sovereignty to
foreign military forces (e.g. Hambantota Port, Sri Lanka seized by China under a
100-year loan).
Explain the causes of tensions in the Middle East - ANSWER-Religion: historic
religious divisions between Sunni (e.g. Saudi Arabia) and Shia (e.g. Iran) Islam has
encouraged countries holding these respective religious ideologies to conduct proxy
warfare in the Middle East (e.g. Syria) to promote their respective ideology. 'Youth
bulge' demographics: a large proportion of the population are young and
unemployed, provoking social unrest between the population and government
officials (e.g. Arab Spring 2011) who are often oppressive and cannot provide
adequate employment opportunities relative to demand.
Explain how developing economic ties between emerging powers and the
developing world generate environmental impacts - ANSWER-Growing demand for
raw materials from the developing world by consumers and industry in emerging
countries contributes to deforestation and subsequent biodiversity loss - especially in
corrupt developing countries (e.g. Nigeria). The construction of industrial operations
through FDI in developing countries contributes to air and water pollution, in part,
due to a lack of (enforced) environmental standards.
