Superpowers- Exam Style Questions Questions And Answers 2024

Describe the key points that question the USAs position as a uni-polar superpower (4-5 points) - correct 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) - correct 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) - correct 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 with others due to them having the right over their own specific product/design. Also by having patents this can help smaller businesses attract investment from larger TNCs that may want to invest in a product no one else has access too. -another way they can act as a source of power can be seen in the fact that they can also be used for things such as military weapon designs, clearly helping with a countries hard power due to the fact that a country has access to a deterrent that other countries do not have. Clearly the fact the USA as the largest superpower as well as the largest economic player registers the highest number of patents a year (over 50,000) + has the largest earning TNC shows just how key they can be to help maintain a countries power. ( However is perhaps becoming undermined due to the impact of China, a country that has long standing problems with Counterfeiting, therefore threatening the power for these western TNCs (and so western countries such as the USA that relies heavily on these profits) that use them due to the fact consumers are more likely to choose to go for the cheaper but very convincing like products, with this then perhaps ha Explain why defence spending is seen as crucial to superpower status (4) 2 points - correct answer--defence spending mainly includes investments in military weapons and military personnel, such as military bases around the world and powerful weapons such as nuclear, with the majority of powerful nations spending huge amounts such as the USA who's budget is over $600 billion -main reason as to why this is deemed as so crucial is to act as part of a nations hard power, acting as a deterrent to other countries and so protect their territory, which in turn can enable a country to gain control of things such as natural resources and trade routes, bringing wealth and so increasing overall power. Explain what is meant by contested spheres of influence (4) 2 points - correct answer--describes how the geopolitical activities of different countries and superpowers focus on the same territory or issue. This can then lead to large disagreements such as economically with rights to national resources, as in the Arctic, politically through disputed borders as in India and China, and military such as China in the south china sea. -the degree of actual contest varies between these different spheres depending on the situation and what/who is involved, as well as how valuable it is that is being contested over. It may lead to outright conflict or just large tensions between countries/groups. Assess the extent to which the Brics have become an increasing influence globally on people and the physical environment (12)- 4 points - correct answer-intro- the BRICS nations are a group of nations deemed to be of similar newly advanced economic development, including China, Russia, India and Brazil. Due to this economic growth, it can be seen that they are having an increasing affect globally, both on people and the environment. -One of the most powerful can be seen to be China, with its rapidly growing economy it now accounts for 60% of all of the BRICs wealth. It can be seen to be having a large