7.2 EQ’S SUPERPOWERS EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
Assess the extent to which the influence of the BRICs can benefit the whole world -
ANSWER-The influence of the BRICs can benefit the whole world due to cultural
practices. For example, many traditional cultures in India and China emphasis
harmony with nature.
The influence of the BRICs can benefit the whole world in relation of environmental
agreements. For example, the BRIC nations remain signatories of the 2015 Paris
Climate Agreements.
The influence of the BRICs can benefit the whole world in relation to sustainable
energy. For example, China is the largest market of solar panels in the world.
Assess the role of superpowers and emerging nations in international decision-
making concerning people and the environment - ANSWER-Superpowers, including
the US and China, have an effective role in international decision-making in relation
to conflict (at the UN Security Council through the use of the 'veto'. For example, the
US and China both supported a resolution at the UN Security Council condemning
the use of ballistic missiles by North Korea.
Emerging nations, including Kiribati and the Maldives, have an effective role in
international decision-making in relation to climate change agreements passed by
the United Nations. For example, (originally) 195 countries around the world were
signatories to the Paris Agreement 2015.
Superpowers have an effective role in international decision-making in relation to
military alliances that can enable military interventions. For example, US funds 22%
of NATO'S annual budget - the largest of any member-state.
Assess the importance of military and economic alliances in maintaining superpower
statusv - ANSWER-Military alliances are important in maintaining superpower status
for defence reasons. For example, US military expenditure accounts for 35% of all
global spending.
Military alliances are important in maintaining superpower status for defending
access to resources. For example, the US operates the UK Diego Garcia military
base in the Indian Ocean.
Economic alliances are important in maintaining superpower status in relation to
trade. For example, NAFTA is a free trade area (FTA) between the US, Mexico and
Canada.
, Assess the importance of BRIC nations to global economic and political systems, as
well as global environmental governance - ANSWER-BRIC nations are important to
the global economic system in relation to economic IGOs. For example, China
established the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) with 87 member-states.
BRIC nations are important to the global political system in relation to political IGOs.
For example, Russia and China are permanent members of the UN Security Council.
BRIC nations are important to global environmental governance in relation to
environmental treaties. For example, all BRIC nations are parties or signatories to
the Paris Climate Agreement 2015.
Assess the extent to which emerging countries need both 'hard' and 'soft' power to
extend their global influence - ANSWER-Emerging countries need 'hard' power to
strengthen economic power through the defence of imports/ exports and secure
access to resources. For example, China is building military bases on artificial
islands in the South China Sea.
Emerging countries need 'soft' power to strengthen cultural power via media and
TNCs. For example, Bollywood in India produces 1000 films per annum.
Emerging countries need 'soft' power to strengthen economic and political power via
intergovernmental organisations (IGOs). For example, China established the Asian
Infrastructure Investment Bank with 87 member-states.
Assess the role of superpower influence over the global economic system -
ANSWER-Superpowers, including the US, utilise economic IGOs (IMF, World Bank
and WTO) to promote capitalist economics. For example, the US holds 17% of all
voting shares at the IMF.
Superpowers, including the US and EU, have large TNCs to influence the global
economic system through FDI. For example, 3 out of 10 of the world's largest
companies are American.
Superpowers use tiered aid to foreign countries to strengthen their economic power
that refers to aid with conditions or 'strings' attached. For example, the US used the
'Marshall Plan' to rebuild the economies of Western Europe and Japan following
World War Two that involved financial development aid.
Assess the extent to which superpowers influence action on global environmental
concerns - ANSWER-Superpowers, including the US and China, can sign
environmental treaties to set targets on tackling deforestation and climate change.
For example, superpowers, including the US and China, are signatories of the Paris
Agreement 2015.
Superpowers can influence action on global environmental concerns through
domestic legislation. For example, California, US has implemented strict restrictions
on plastic straws.
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
Assess the extent to which the influence of the BRICs can benefit the whole world -
ANSWER-The influence of the BRICs can benefit the whole world due to cultural
practices. For example, many traditional cultures in India and China emphasis
harmony with nature.
The influence of the BRICs can benefit the whole world in relation of environmental
agreements. For example, the BRIC nations remain signatories of the 2015 Paris
Climate Agreements.
The influence of the BRICs can benefit the whole world in relation to sustainable
energy. For example, China is the largest market of solar panels in the world.
Assess the role of superpowers and emerging nations in international decision-
making concerning people and the environment - ANSWER-Superpowers, including
the US and China, have an effective role in international decision-making in relation
to conflict (at the UN Security Council through the use of the 'veto'. For example, the
US and China both supported a resolution at the UN Security Council condemning
the use of ballistic missiles by North Korea.
Emerging nations, including Kiribati and the Maldives, have an effective role in
international decision-making in relation to climate change agreements passed by
the United Nations. For example, (originally) 195 countries around the world were
signatories to the Paris Agreement 2015.
Superpowers have an effective role in international decision-making in relation to
military alliances that can enable military interventions. For example, US funds 22%
of NATO'S annual budget - the largest of any member-state.
Assess the importance of military and economic alliances in maintaining superpower
statusv - ANSWER-Military alliances are important in maintaining superpower status
for defence reasons. For example, US military expenditure accounts for 35% of all
global spending.
Military alliances are important in maintaining superpower status for defending
access to resources. For example, the US operates the UK Diego Garcia military
base in the Indian Ocean.
Economic alliances are important in maintaining superpower status in relation to
trade. For example, NAFTA is a free trade area (FTA) between the US, Mexico and
Canada.
, Assess the importance of BRIC nations to global economic and political systems, as
well as global environmental governance - ANSWER-BRIC nations are important to
the global economic system in relation to economic IGOs. For example, China
established the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) with 87 member-states.
BRIC nations are important to the global political system in relation to political IGOs.
For example, Russia and China are permanent members of the UN Security Council.
BRIC nations are important to global environmental governance in relation to
environmental treaties. For example, all BRIC nations are parties or signatories to
the Paris Climate Agreement 2015.
Assess the extent to which emerging countries need both 'hard' and 'soft' power to
extend their global influence - ANSWER-Emerging countries need 'hard' power to
strengthen economic power through the defence of imports/ exports and secure
access to resources. For example, China is building military bases on artificial
islands in the South China Sea.
Emerging countries need 'soft' power to strengthen cultural power via media and
TNCs. For example, Bollywood in India produces 1000 films per annum.
Emerging countries need 'soft' power to strengthen economic and political power via
intergovernmental organisations (IGOs). For example, China established the Asian
Infrastructure Investment Bank with 87 member-states.
Assess the role of superpower influence over the global economic system -
ANSWER-Superpowers, including the US, utilise economic IGOs (IMF, World Bank
and WTO) to promote capitalist economics. For example, the US holds 17% of all
voting shares at the IMF.
Superpowers, including the US and EU, have large TNCs to influence the global
economic system through FDI. For example, 3 out of 10 of the world's largest
companies are American.
Superpowers use tiered aid to foreign countries to strengthen their economic power
that refers to aid with conditions or 'strings' attached. For example, the US used the
'Marshall Plan' to rebuild the economies of Western Europe and Japan following
World War Two that involved financial development aid.
Assess the extent to which superpowers influence action on global environmental
concerns - ANSWER-Superpowers, including the US and China, can sign
environmental treaties to set targets on tackling deforestation and climate change.
For example, superpowers, including the US and China, are signatories of the Paris
Agreement 2015.
Superpowers can influence action on global environmental concerns through
domestic legislation. For example, California, US has implemented strict restrictions
on plastic straws.
