Superpowers- Exam style questions

Describe the key points that question the USAs position as a uni-polar superpower (4-5 points) - Answer- -Global shift of manufacturing towards Asia has caused economic restructuring meaning many areas in the USA face high unemployment levels that have huge social costs -The amount of money needed to maintain military power and intelligence services, such as combat and space exploration -Emerging countries are investing more into advanced technological defences (such as drones) questioning the USAs need to maintain its conventional military assets (such as naval ships) -The 2007 debt crisis questioned how well US banks managed money and increased the governments debt -Possible demise of NATO due to questions over member funding that could threaten its military influence Explain 2 issues with TNCs and the use of IPRs (6) - Answer- -IPRs were created by the WTO that force all members to register and process any new technology under patent law, granting that company the exclusive right/ownership over their product for fixed time. One of the problems with them is that in order for anyone to use them they have to pay high royalty payments, therefore often impacting upon the poorest who often cannot afford to use them. For example within the drugs trade, drug companies often patent drugs such as HIV making them very expensive to use and so creating a large barrier to lower developed regions such as within Africa to access this treatment that they need. -another problem can be seen when looking at the use of patents within the Agricultural industry, again often negatively impacting upon poorer farmers. This can be seen with the example of Monsanto use of patents upon GM crops seeds, resulting in farmers having to buy new seeds every year due to the company 'owning' each seed. -also it could be said that with an increasing number of countries + so TNCs such as within China not adhering to these patented laws, often the counterfeit products they produce are much less safe for consumers to use, therefore perhaps then putting the consumers that use them at clear risk. Explain how IPRs play a role within superpower status/power (6) - Answer- -IPRs were created by the WTO that force all members to register and process any new technology under patent law, granting that company the exclusive right/ownership over their product for fixed time. Is then governed within international trade agreement, known as TRIPS. The main way they play a role in superpower power is through the royalty payments that they ensue if any other company wants to use it, as often these products/technology cost a very high amount for TNCs to develop therefore by having these patents it allows TNCs to largely increase profits as a result, as well as guaranteeing TNCs access to a specific consumer market and not having to compete w