...Is China a Superpower? January 2011 - Unit 3D, Edexcel, Government and Politics A2 A superpower is a state that possesses great power ‘plus great mobility of power’. The term superpower was coined to refer to the USA and the Soviet Union in the early Cold War period. Economically, one could argue that China is already or is at least well on its way to becoming a superpower to rival the USA. In comparison to America it has a growth rate of 9.6% compared to 2.6% and a current account surplus of $272.5bn (the world’s largest) compared to the world’s largest deficit in America of $561bn. Surpluses mean that it is exporting much more than it is importing, hence why it has such high levels of growth, in comparison to America which importing more than it is exporting. It also has an impressive GDP of US$7.318 trillion gain rivalled only by the USA. However, economically there are critics of its position. For instance, the date at which China was meant to overtake the US as the world’s largest economy has continually been pushed back (it is now estimated to be around 2023 although a few years earlier it was meant to be around 2015). Also despite its impressive GDP when dividing this by its population for per capita one sees that this is nowhere near US rates ($3,744.36 compared to $45,989.18 in the USA). Equally the majority of economists believe that the current practices of the Chinese (such as artificially maintaining a depreciated currency in order to boost competitiveness...
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...To what extent are the United States still the global superpower? The definition of the term ‘superpower’ has been up for debate for a long time, but the most popular belief is anything that reaches unmatched dominance to such an extent that we see no rivals. For example, it would be fair to say Apple inc are a superpower in the mp3 market or that Spain are currently the superpower in international football having won the last three major tournaments. However, things become even more complicated when trying to define a ‘superpower’ in the context of a country. The way I would like to define it is ‘the country which has the capacity to dominate power and influence global proceedings with almost global hegemony’. For ease of understanding, it’s best to measure global dominance in four separate and distinct categories or ‘axis of power’. The first is military power which is relatively easy to quantify. This includes not only members of the military, paramilitary and reserved forces but also the willingness to use them. If a country has a large military but is not prepared to use them, it’d be hard to justify them as a leading military force. The second is economic, which once again, we can justify purely by looking at the stats of leading countries. The facts and figures which are of most interest to me are Gross Domestic Product (GDP), GDP per capita, national debt and trade deficit. The third is political power- which is now much more theoretical, however, there are some ways...
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...June 2010 - Study Figure 3. 3(a) With reference to Figure 3 and your own knowledge, explain how the USA maintains its superpower status. (10) Figure 3 shows that the USA maintain their superpower status due to the aid they provide, the number of worldwide TNCs they own, and the global military presence they have which keep them strong. However, there are also other reasons such as their political unions and cultural hegemony. The first map of Figure 3 shows the top 20 countries receiving aid from the USA, this also shows that there are many more that are not on the map which also receive aid. This increases the respect for the USA and builds up their friendship, but at the same time, it may also keep these developing countries in debt to the USA keeping the USA in power as they cannot be economically challenged. The USA is also part of many IGOs such as NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), and UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation). This also increases the influence around the world keeping them in power as NATO offers military protection to any country part of it and the USA are known for their large military. The second map of Figure 3 shows the countries of the world such as Russia, China, India, Australia and Canada which have a McDonalds, a massive global TNC along with Starbucks, Coca-Cola, KFC and Nike. The USA are making money all around the world as well as improving the economies of all of these countries as it provides many jobs. Not only do...
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...Superpowers June 2011 4a) This data has been used to produce the superpower index, as it includes some of the elements of a superpower, these are economy, belief system, natural resources, location, population size and physical size. This figure has 4 of these 6 elements GNP covers the economy factor and to some extent military power. It reflects wealth which is a source of power as it allows a country to exert global influence e.g. militarily, or invest in technology. Comparing the wealth of superpowers will show who has the most economic power, who can invest in new military technologies and who can compete better when buying resources. Population is not one of the best measures when comparing superpowers as the USA ends up 4th and currently is argued to be the biggest superpower. Generally if a country has a large population they will have more manpower in both military and workforce, so smaller countries won’t be able to compete with the larger countries when it comes to becoming a superpower. Oil reserves reflect energy independence as they don’t have to look elsewhere to satisfy their needs. Although wealth may mean supplies can be ensured in other ways by importing or investing in alternatives. So oil supplies is not the best way to compare superpowers, as a richer country may not have as much oil but may be able to buy from foreign countries to make up for it. Finally the patent fillings covers a few parts of being a superpower patents could be used to stop other countries...
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...United We Stand; Divided We Fall Why Appropriate U.S. Intervention in Foreign Policy is a Necessity for Global Peace In recent times it has become clear that trust of the United States’ ability to foster and produce peace is at an all-time low. In fact, it has recently been reported by The New York Post that a Gallup poll which analyzed data collected from 66,000 people polled in 65 countries that the U.S. is considered to be more threatening to peace efforts than Pakistan, Iran, and China combined, “Of the 66,000 people polled, just under a quarter named Uncle Sam as the greatest threat to world peace,” (New York Post, 2014). While this data sheds a frightening light upon the global opinion of the U.S.’s ability to act as successful peacekeepers, and due to many of the blunders experienced during Bush’s presidency, it is understandable as to why faith in the U.S. has diminished. However, both recent and historical data points towards the contrary, and instead has shown the importance of U.S. intervention in maintaining peace and showing the world that violations of human rights will not be tolerated. Therefore appropriate U.S. intervention within certain foreign policies is a necessity for global peace. Due to the U.S. maintaining one of the world’s largest militia in non-war times it is imperative that the United States’ military be involved in global efforts to foster and maintain peace when necessary. Many countries do not have the capability to defend themselves...
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...THE NEXT DECADE The Next Decade is a book written by George Friedman, and emphasizes The United States’ relationships with other nations. The book addresses some technological and economic problems and well as explaining empires and republics on the rise during the following decade. The Next Decade is a comprehensive and remarkable analysis that encompasses the issues and benefits for being a super power. The United States has unintentionally become a global empire, and the role of the United States President is to serve as the world’s most important political diplomat. It is noted that the President must be able to at least promote the quintessential virtues, ethics, and tradition of the one of the greatest countries in the world. The greatest battle of the decade is predicted to be how the United States will react to leadership that will be interested in the economic dealings rather than serving the American people. Friedman made a bold and unshakable declaration: America is an imperial empire. He gives the overview of what America will be facing in the upcoming years which includes balance of power. Also America could lose itself as a Republic. The book starts with a summarized historical background and explains current political situations that are happening globally. It then analyzes each geographical region and assessment plans. The Next Decade is a comprehensive and remarkable analysis that encompasses the issues and benefits for being a super power. A main theme of the...
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...unsolvable issue of poverty and how India has made good progress in reducing it. The authors commends the effort put by governments health and food programs, infrastructure developments, the work done by NGO’s in educational sector as factors that helped in reducing poverty level. Finally the focus shifts to the question of next super power. The authors feel that India holds a definite advantage over China because of their English language skills, IT and management education, the democratic form of government and overall the attitude of Indians to business-‘ relationship first business later’ working in their favour in the long run, making them the next superpower by 2050 as predicted by Goldman Sachs. Summary: Overall the book would be beneficial for those who need to know why India is considered a future superpower , anyone interested in exploring new markets. On the negative side the author is a little biased, showing a rosy picture of India ignoring some of the major issues like communal disputes, linguistic differences, and oppressive bureaucracy which can hamper the growth. Other recommended books: Imagining India: The Idea of a Renewed Nation by Nandan Nilekani. The Elephant and the Dragon: The Rise of India and China and What It Means for All of Us by Robyn...
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...As I previously alluded to; realists strongly believe in the centrality of the nation-state in their international political structure. They recognize the importance and relevance of transnational organizations to international relations; however, they believe that state has the ultimate authority and that no state should pass on this authority to any foreign entity. Another realists’ core assumption is that the international system characterized by an anarchy which shapes the state behavior. Anarchy makes each state always concerned about its own survival and in a constant state of apprehension of being attacked or its interests threatened by another state especially if the latter is seeking to strengthen its power. Therefore, traditional realists like Morgenthau believe that the state must rely on its own power, especially military power, to protect its interests. Moreover, classical realism looks at the state as a rational and autonomous actor. Realists expand the state autonomy to not only include autonomy from international organizations but also sufficient autonomy from their national societies to recognize and pursue the interests of the nation as a whole. This domestic coherent attitude allows them to “exercise control over different national organizations to direct and control government actions in such a way as to implement the decisionmakers’ strategies” (Doyle et al, pp.166). In their pursuit of domestic autonomy, realists believe they ought to be unconstrained...
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...blo gs.lse .ac.uk http://blo gs.lse.ac.uk/lsereviewo fbo o ks/2013/08/01/bo o k-review-emerging-po wers-in-a-co mparative-perspective-thepo litical-and-eco no mic-rise-o f-the-bric-co untries/ Book Review: Emerging Powers in a Comparative Perspective: The Political and Economic Rise of the BRIC Countries Blo g Admin The book examines the rising influence of emerging powers in global politics, with a special focus on the BRIC countries. The book aims provide a detailed analysis of political, economic, security, and foreign policy trends in the BRIC countries to address such questions as to whether they will seek to revise the international order or work within it, and how they will deal with transnational global problems. Reviewed by Carlos Carrasco Farré. Emerging Powers in a Comparative Perspective: T he Political and Economic Rise of the BRIC Countries. Vidya Nadkarni and Norma C. Noonan. Bloomsbury. February 2013. Find this book: T he contrast during the Cold War between a coercive Soviet Union in Eastern Europe and a cooperative American hegemony in Western Europe started a new line of research in international politics. T he end of this conf lict, and the main core of this research topic, seems to come f rom what Italian political philosopher Antonio Gramsci noted: “a hegemonic social order that rests on a f oundation of moral and intellectual authority and voluntary acceptance is more enduring because it is seen as legitimate”. In just two decades the international order...
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...Defense Strategy Course Lesson 1, Writing Assessment Essay Topic: Sharing Power? Prospects for a U.S. Concert-Balance Strategy Date: 12 January 2015 Name: Angela Butts, LTC, USAR Dr. Patrick Porter is an Australian academic at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom. Dr. Porter published a monograph entailing a well reasoned argument on a power-sharing grand strategy based upon concert of power and balance of power systems. According Dr. Porter, these are the strategies that will cause the U.S. to no longer be hegemonic and maintain its powerful influence and status in the global system. I agree with Dr. Porter that the United States (U.S.) should employ these strategies in the future decades. However, I disagree that this is due to losing America’s global hegemony. The lost of hegemony would cause instability within the global system. In the future, I think the U.S. will move towards these strategies in order to produce stability while trying to maintain global leadership. Contrary, the focus could shift for the U.S. to build a “multi-partner” system for governments and nongovernment groups to work together on global issues. This is the goal of the Obama Administration in an effort to reduce competition and have closer ties to the major global powers. There are limited options for other countries to take over as a global hegemon. Unlike other countries, India may be the closest to becoming the next hegemon of the global system; however, it is not ready...
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...power for securing its interests.Infact international relations is a process of struggle for power.The most powerful nation would exert enormous influence in any particular international issue and try to take the situation in its favour. Historically Great Powers have shaped the international order through economic and political power,alliances,colonial hegemonies,wars and aggressiveness and such other methods,in order to perpetuate their influence.Before the second World War,some European states-Britain,France,Spain,Portugal-were considered as great powers as they largely shaped international politics.But the war hit them hard and their powers were reduced.Instead,two other non-European nations-the USA and the USSR-emerged as the two superpowers after the war,and began to exert their influences in international politics and shape the world according tp their calculations.Due to their ideological and political rivalries,the world got distinctly divided into two warring camps.Scholars described this situation as the Cold War.However the collapse of the Soviet Union marked its end.In post-Cold War period,the USA remained the only Super Power with sufficient economic and ilitary strength.It is now trying to be the prime controlling power...
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...In the book War and Change in World Politics, Robert Gilpin presents a rationalist and realistic argument for international relations. The argument is that an international system is created because actors create social, political and economical structures to advance their interests. The structure reflects the interests of those who are most dominant in the system. The structure will inevitably change due to many reasons that are provided throughout the book. Robert Gilpin succeeds in providing support for his main argument by applying his theories to many examples in history. His reasoning in supporting his argument were clear, concise and easy to follow, which made the book a pleasurable read. The book starts out by providing four assumptions, which divides the book into 4 sections. In each section Gilpin provides examples that are heavily rational and applicable. This division made the book easy to follow and helped readers to understand how each assumption supported the argument. Each assumption was used to support the main argument of the book. The first assumption that was used is “An international system is stable if no state believes it profitable to attempt to change the system.” (Gilpin, page 11). Gilpins approach to support this assumption is of a realist approach. Gilpin starts out by supporting his argument through deductive reasoning. These reasons are carried out in an informative manner that can be easily supported by historical events and examples. As he...
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...Policemen of the World Aymen Hashmi History 105, Section 102 Professor Daniel Finn September 5, 2014 The United States has been serving as a police role for the entire world for many years now. This has been especially beneficial to the U.S. in terms of making allies and also aiding those countries in need. U.S. has been a backup country for many third world countries that look forward to receiving assistance from the United States in emergency situations. There is significance in both the international incidents that occurred which I have selected to discuss. In both cases the United States worked as the policeman or world superpower. They aided Jordan and Turkey from Syria in the situation when Syria was a threat to them. They not only aided with help of troops but also an operation plan to assist them incase of an unplanned event (Gordon, 2012). America is also helping with ensuring the military is ready for both countries for any military needs. Determine two to three (2-3) international events from the past five years that can be traced back to a foreign policy created after the Civil War. One international event that occurred in late 2012 was in Jordan. There were 150 U.S. troops deployed to Jordan to help it contain the Syrian Civil War within Syria's borders. There was fear of Syria losing control of its chemical weapons. The task force, which has been led by a senior American officer, is based at a Jordanian military training center north of Amman (Gordon...
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...IMPACT OF CHINA’S EXPANSION IN EVERY SPHERE ON UNITED STATES OF AMERCA Introduction The concept of striving for hegemonic state is not a new concept or term to us; rather this notion has kept repeating itself throughout the record. In today’s practical world, great powers are searching extensively and aggressively for opportunities to attain power over others, with hegemony being their ultimate goal. In present realistic and anarchic world system, power is all that matters to selfish and domination oriented states. In a very similar way, China, which has been making success by leaps and bounds, is in time aiming to gain the position of super power, the position which in the present day is being enjoyed and exercised by the United States of America. With around 1.3billion population; estimating for one-fifth of the world’s entire population, with world’s largest armed forces, China, while contributing about 13percent to the world economy, is at present the fastest developing country across the sphere, with raw potentials to becoming a super power down the line. (China: The 21st Century Super Power, September, 2005) China, for past few decades, has been observed making substantial progress in almost every sphere, not only with an aim to improve its international front, but also to maximize its share of international power and gain a position that is desired by a few of the known competing great powers. China has been implementing and devising a mix of very optimal agendas...
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...Distribution of power at the global level The United States has been the global leader since 1872, when they overtook the United Kingdom. There are discussions about “Americas decline” and the rise of multipolar power within the international state system. But actually I think that United States will stay as the world’s single great-power for some nearest time. It does not deny that some nation-states may grow more powerful in their respective regions. Although number of people around the world believes the economic balance of power is shifting, the United States is still seen as the world’s leading economic power. There are two main competitors for United States - one in the Pacific against China and the other in eastern Europe against Russia. America has to be afraid of these two countries getting togeather and building up their own global power. United States need to keep it’s allies, particularly the European countries, in line if the confrontation reaches a critical point. Economical statistics shows that China this year will displace the United States as the world's largest economy. The comparison is made by Purchasing Power Parity. It means that it takes into account the differing prices in the two countries. If a dollar is worth 7.2 renminbi today on the foreign exchange market, there is possibility that 7.2 renminbi can buy a lot more in China than one dollar can buy in the United States. The Purchasing Power Parity comparison shows - that is why...
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