5. Are superpowers invincible? British empire Soviet Union Ottoman Empire Roman Empire The above were once giant empires with vast areas of land under their control, huge armies and thriving economies. So what made them decline? China India European Union USA? The above are emerging and current superpowers. So what is it that is making them develop such power?

6. The rise and fall of superpowers Extent of the British empire at its height. The British empire is the largest physical empire that has ever existed. How many of these countries can you identify?

7. The rise and fall of superpowers WW2 British Empire – The fall Economic decline Britain had overspent on war efforts and after WW2 was showing serious signs of economic ‘slowdown’ Loss of military influence Heavy losses after the war. Loss of land control Many colonies fought for the allies with their own independent armies. One by one after the war, for a range of reasons most of the colonies became independent. The USA and the Soviet Union –The rise Economic prosperity for the USA The USA emerged from the war as the worlds leading economic power. Their economy had grown during the war as they had supplied ships and weapons to the allies. Largest land army Soviet Union The Soviet Union emerged with the largest land army after many European losses.

9. CORE PERIPHERY Low value primary products (raw materials and food) High value added products (industrial, processed goods) Superpowers and the rest of the world Theoretical framework Dependency theory also stresses that the only way out of this unequal relationship for less developed nations is to be self reliant and to control national resources (import substitution)

10. MODERNISATION THEORY

11. 2. THE ROLE OF SUPERPOWERS What impacts and influence do superpowers have?

13. Britain as a colonial superpower British colonies Many European countries claimed colonies in other lands to make profits, find new resources and convert indigenous tribes to certain religions and cultures. In terms of land area, Britain had the largest of any superpower in history,

18. Can you identify which map belongs to which IGO? NATO UNITED NATIONS G8 OECD A D C B

20. Trade patterns

21. Share of world trade over time

24. Americanisation/ Westernisation

26. Westernisation – good or bad? What is your opinion? Westernisation inhibits the growth of local cultures in the third world. The spread of chain stores and the same foods, music, T.V. etc… means that everywhere becomes similar. E.g. Every city centre in Britain has the same shops. Loss of identity. Many cultures are even losing their language. Youngsters in South Korea speak English as much as Korean. Globalisation and the associated spread of Western culture is enhancing other nations. Globalisation creates wealth in poorer nations and wealth increases ability to watch films, listen to music, buy clothes etc… Are countries choosing to become Westernized. Its not imposed on them by force. English is now a global language which brings people together. Anti Westernisation Pro westernisation

27. 3. SUPERPOWER FUTURES What are the implications of the future rise of superpowers?

28. The rise of the BRIC’s Goldman Sachs argued that, since they are developing rapidly, by 2050 the combined economies of the BRIC’s could eclipse the combined economies of the current richest countries of the world. Who are the BRIC’s? BRAZIL INDIA CHINA RUSSIA

31. The rise of ‘Chindia’ China and India, because of their size (a combined population of over 2.5 billion) and rapid economic growth (6-10% a year), have a critical role to play as emerging superpowers.

32. The rise of ‘Chindia’ China statistics India statistics 31 29 20 Trade (as a % of GDP) 9 9 4 GDP growth rate (%) 65 64 62 Life expectancy 2007 2005 2000 67 63 39 Trade (as a % of GDP) 13.0 10.4 8.4 GDP growth rate (%) 73 71 71 Life expectancy 2007 2005 2000

34. Some consequences of China’s growth There is a widening gap between rich and poor and rural and urban. 20$ of China’s population live on less than $1 a day so the wealth is not evenly spread. China has 16 of the 20 dirtiest cities in the world. 70% of Chinas rivers are polluted. Deforestation rates are high. - Standards of living are increasing on the whole. More money spent on health and education. The country had a GDP growth rate of 13% in 2007. High Investment in roads and power supplies. China has pursued HEP as a power source which is renewable and involves no emissions. + SOCIAL ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENTAL

37. EXAMINATION QUESTIONS