GEOGRAPHY A-LEVEL
SUPERPOWERS REVISION, QUESTION
PLANS COMPLETE ANSWERS
Explain how the modernisation theory can be used to understand changing patterns
of power (4) - ANSWER-Refers to Rowstow's theory of modernisation which shows
the ability of a nation to 'take off', mature and develop. As countries progress through
stages of modernisation, the composition of its economic industries will change.
Nations growth can be described as following stages of growth over time in which
the eventual drive to maturity and high mass consumption of highly developed
nations is dependent upon pre-conditions for take off and eventual take off.
Pre-conditions for take off include the construction of infrastructure, specialising of
industries or the growth of a manufacturing industry (as seen China). There is a
demand for raw materials and trade by external countries. A rise in construction of
infrastructure will lead to an increase in businesses and FDI. Gradually the industry
centres itself around manufacturing rather than agriculture as individual families can
earn better wages from stable, reliable jobs unlike in traditional society farming
where agriculture is seasonal and massively affected by poor weather.
High mass consumption at the end of the modernisation model, in Rostow's opinion,
depicts the fact that developed nations are capitalistic consumers holding the most
valuable opinions and markets worldwide. Often goods are catered towards these
markets and families have disposable income to spend.
Explain how the World Bank helps superpowers maintain their power (4) - ANSWER-
World Bank: Lends money on a global scale and is headquartered in Washington
DC. Formed in 1944. 2014 - $470 million loan granted to Phillipines for a poverty-
reduction programme. Also gives grants directly to developing countries to kick start
development projects. This done within a Western capitalist model and the money
originates from developed economies. Sense of moral obligation for LEDCs to repay
loan giving nations in services, goods and reduced protectionist values for example.
Explain how the IMF helps superpowers maintain their power (4) - ANSWER-IMF:
International Monetary Fund. Based in Washington DC, it channels loans from richer
nations to countries that apply for help. Recipients in return agree to run free market
economies that are open to outside investment; this lets TNCs enter these nations
more easily. USA exerts significant influence over IMF despite the fact that it has
always had a European president. Helps maintain superpower nations as
underdeveloped countries stuck in a state of dependency upon richer nations for
loans and agree to entirely to succumb to the power of HIC's TNCs which intensify
the westernisation of underdeveloped nations and the subsequent spread of
American culture.
Formed in 1945, promotes global economic stability and aids economies in opening
up to world trade and investment. Comes to the aid of countries in economic
difficulty.
, Explain how the WTO helps superpowers maintain their power (4) - ANSWER-
Formed in 1995, the WTO replaced the GATT from 1948. It works to remove barriers
to international trade. It has negotiated a sequence of global free trade agreements
that have gradually removed trade taxes and quotas.
WTO: World Trade Organisation. Took over from the General Agreement on Trade
and Tariffs in 1995. Based in Switzerland, it advocates trade liberalisation, especially
for manufactured goods and asks for countries to abandon protectionist values in
favour of untaxed trade (China persuaded to lift export restrictions on rare earth
minerals in 2004). This enables TNCs to access new markets worldwide
strengthening their status in the global top 20 TNCs. The WTO also enforces
intellectual property rights - patents are legal protection given to a new invention.
Other companies can use it, but only after paying a royalty fee to the inventor
(usually a company) which strengthens the TNC economically and heightens its
influence. Allows the spread of Americanisation e.g. UK's ability to buy and access
American goods fairly affordably.
Explain how superpowers influence the global economic system (4) - ANSWER-
Superpowers have a disproportionate influence on the global economy. The USA,
EU and Japan - which in 2016 accounted for 60% of GDP:
- Are capitalist, i.e. people own businesses and employ workers, and make profits for
themselves.
- Promote free trade in goods and services across borders. (free from import/export
taxes and quotas restricting volume of trade).
- Are dominated by private enterprise, rather than government-owned companies.
- Promote wealth creation and accumulation by companies and individuals.
IMF: International Monetary Fund. Based in Washington DC, it channels loans from
richer nations to countries that apply for help. Recipients in return agree to run free
market economies that are open to outside investment; this lets TNCs enter these
nations more easily. USA exerts significant influence over IMF despite the fact that it
has always had a European president. Idea of USA intensifying its influence as an
economic hub of wealth.
The term 'Washington Consensus' was coined in 1989. The ideas of the consensus
included ten recommendations from the US that were intended to help developing
countries that faced economic crises. In summary, The Washington Consensus
recommended structural reforms that increased the role of market forces in
exchange for immediate financial help. This shows the US's influence on economic
policies of other nations and hence its ability to influence the economic decision
making and behaviour globally, arguably to better its own position e.g. by promoting
non-protectionist values that enable their TNCs to access to new markets.
Explain how global cultural influence and westernisation help superpowers maintain
power (4) - ANSWER-Superpowers are states or organisations with a dominant
position in the international system.
SUPERPOWERS REVISION, QUESTION
PLANS COMPLETE ANSWERS
Explain how the modernisation theory can be used to understand changing patterns
of power (4) - ANSWER-Refers to Rowstow's theory of modernisation which shows
the ability of a nation to 'take off', mature and develop. As countries progress through
stages of modernisation, the composition of its economic industries will change.
Nations growth can be described as following stages of growth over time in which
the eventual drive to maturity and high mass consumption of highly developed
nations is dependent upon pre-conditions for take off and eventual take off.
Pre-conditions for take off include the construction of infrastructure, specialising of
industries or the growth of a manufacturing industry (as seen China). There is a
demand for raw materials and trade by external countries. A rise in construction of
infrastructure will lead to an increase in businesses and FDI. Gradually the industry
centres itself around manufacturing rather than agriculture as individual families can
earn better wages from stable, reliable jobs unlike in traditional society farming
where agriculture is seasonal and massively affected by poor weather.
High mass consumption at the end of the modernisation model, in Rostow's opinion,
depicts the fact that developed nations are capitalistic consumers holding the most
valuable opinions and markets worldwide. Often goods are catered towards these
markets and families have disposable income to spend.
Explain how the World Bank helps superpowers maintain their power (4) - ANSWER-
World Bank: Lends money on a global scale and is headquartered in Washington
DC. Formed in 1944. 2014 - $470 million loan granted to Phillipines for a poverty-
reduction programme. Also gives grants directly to developing countries to kick start
development projects. This done within a Western capitalist model and the money
originates from developed economies. Sense of moral obligation for LEDCs to repay
loan giving nations in services, goods and reduced protectionist values for example.
Explain how the IMF helps superpowers maintain their power (4) - ANSWER-IMF:
International Monetary Fund. Based in Washington DC, it channels loans from richer
nations to countries that apply for help. Recipients in return agree to run free market
economies that are open to outside investment; this lets TNCs enter these nations
more easily. USA exerts significant influence over IMF despite the fact that it has
always had a European president. Helps maintain superpower nations as
underdeveloped countries stuck in a state of dependency upon richer nations for
loans and agree to entirely to succumb to the power of HIC's TNCs which intensify
the westernisation of underdeveloped nations and the subsequent spread of
American culture.
Formed in 1945, promotes global economic stability and aids economies in opening
up to world trade and investment. Comes to the aid of countries in economic
difficulty.
, Explain how the WTO helps superpowers maintain their power (4) - ANSWER-
Formed in 1995, the WTO replaced the GATT from 1948. It works to remove barriers
to international trade. It has negotiated a sequence of global free trade agreements
that have gradually removed trade taxes and quotas.
WTO: World Trade Organisation. Took over from the General Agreement on Trade
and Tariffs in 1995. Based in Switzerland, it advocates trade liberalisation, especially
for manufactured goods and asks for countries to abandon protectionist values in
favour of untaxed trade (China persuaded to lift export restrictions on rare earth
minerals in 2004). This enables TNCs to access new markets worldwide
strengthening their status in the global top 20 TNCs. The WTO also enforces
intellectual property rights - patents are legal protection given to a new invention.
Other companies can use it, but only after paying a royalty fee to the inventor
(usually a company) which strengthens the TNC economically and heightens its
influence. Allows the spread of Americanisation e.g. UK's ability to buy and access
American goods fairly affordably.
Explain how superpowers influence the global economic system (4) - ANSWER-
Superpowers have a disproportionate influence on the global economy. The USA,
EU and Japan - which in 2016 accounted for 60% of GDP:
- Are capitalist, i.e. people own businesses and employ workers, and make profits for
themselves.
- Promote free trade in goods and services across borders. (free from import/export
taxes and quotas restricting volume of trade).
- Are dominated by private enterprise, rather than government-owned companies.
- Promote wealth creation and accumulation by companies and individuals.
IMF: International Monetary Fund. Based in Washington DC, it channels loans from
richer nations to countries that apply for help. Recipients in return agree to run free
market economies that are open to outside investment; this lets TNCs enter these
nations more easily. USA exerts significant influence over IMF despite the fact that it
has always had a European president. Idea of USA intensifying its influence as an
economic hub of wealth.
The term 'Washington Consensus' was coined in 1989. The ideas of the consensus
included ten recommendations from the US that were intended to help developing
countries that faced economic crises. In summary, The Washington Consensus
recommended structural reforms that increased the role of market forces in
exchange for immediate financial help. This shows the US's influence on economic
policies of other nations and hence its ability to influence the economic decision
making and behaviour globally, arguably to better its own position e.g. by promoting
non-protectionist values that enable their TNCs to access to new markets.
Explain how global cultural influence and westernisation help superpowers maintain
power (4) - ANSWER-Superpowers are states or organisations with a dominant
position in the international system.
