Emerging Superpowers A New World for the 21 st century Geographical Superpowers

Superpower Geographies 3. Implications of the continued rise of the superpowers? a) Resource implications of continued growth of superpowers b) Implications of shifting power for older core regions b) rise of emerging powers and the implications for the world c) Tensions between cultures Learning Objectives: Understand the implications that the rise in emerging powers has for the rest of the world Consider the likely impact of the shifting distribution of power on the global periphery

Emerging Superpowers Russia – large quantities of oil and gas Brazil – gold, diamonds, iron ore and rainforest India / China Large amounts of coal

The US has built up a massive trade deficit with China. The US argues that this is partly because China has kept its currency artificially weak, which makes its products cheaper overseas.

Until the 1990s, the US economy grew strongly while China remained relatively stagnant. Since then, and especially since the turn of the millennium, China's growth rate has surged, driven by economic reforms, a huge workforce and massive investment.

Getting an accurate assessment of China's military capabilities is difficult, analysts say, because the official defence budget is almost certainly far lower than actual spending. But the People's Liberation Army - at almost 1.25 million strong - remains the world's largest. Its budget has grown rapidly as the military modernises and invests in more high-tech weapons systems.

China's huge population gives the country's economy a vast workforce from which to draw. Thirty years ago, the "one child policy" was introduced in cities to limit the size of families, and this was reaffirmed recently when the population reached 1.3 billion. One result of the recent economic boom has been a growing middle class, demanding a higher standard of living based on perceived Western standards. Analysts predict this is likely to further stretch already limited food, water and other natural resources.

The implications of shifting power The US National Intelligence Council suggested that China, India and Brazil would grow at the expense of USA and EU There would be increasing conflict over resources especially food, water and fuel Major issues regarding how to deal with climate change, trade and market access

How do I know China wrecked the Copenhagen deal? I was in the room As recriminations fly post-Copenhagen, one writer offers a fly-on-the-wall account of how talks failed: by Mark Lynas The Guardian 22 nd Dec 2009 “Copenhagen was a disaster. That much is agreed. But the truth about what actually happened is in danger of being lost amid the spin and inevitable mutual recriminations. The truth is this: China wrecked the talks, intentionally humiliated Barack Obama, and insisted on an awful "deal" so western leaders would walk away carrying the blame. How do I know this? Because I was in the room and saw it happen. China's strategy was simple: block the open negotiations for two weeks, and then ensure that the closed-door deal made it look as if the west had failed the world's poor once again. And sure enough, the aid agencies, civil society movements and environmental groups all took the bait. The failure was "the inevitable result of rich countries refusing adequately and fairly to shoulder their overwhelming responsibility", said Christian Aid. "Rich countries have bullied developing nations," fumed Friends of the Earth International.”

Implications for growth? Growth of China - MEDC companies will invest in order to sell their products in an emerging market -Consumers benefit from cheap products that are mass produced in China -Could lead to a decline in US economy as India and China pay lower wages and produce goods more competitively -Western countries worried that Chinese influence in Africa is stronger than EU and USA -Increased environmental impact e.g. transport emissions, acidification and poor air quality

Tesco buying big in China By Liu Baijia (China Daily) Updated: Britain's largest retailer Tesco plans to buy 2.2 billion pounds worth of finished goods in China in 2008 as the country becomes its most important overseas supplier as well as a key retail market. The hypermarket giant now buys 60 percent of its internationally made goods in China and works with over 300 vendors in the world's most populous country, said Ken Towle, CEO of Tesco China. The nation is also a significant destination for investment. Tesco formally opened its first superstore under its own brand in Beijing yesterday. Located in the central business district, the store covers 8,000 square meters and is expected to receive 8,000 customers a day. In December, Tesco boosted its stake in local hypermarket chain Hypemall from 50 percent to 90 percent, paying 180 million pounds and taking Hypemall's 46 stores into its network. "China is a great place for customers and has a lot of competition," said Towle. "We hope our share is as good as that of our competitors."

Decline of the USSR and rebirth of Russia Using the resources on page Digby et al set out notes that cover these pages; -Reasons for the collapse of the USSR -Classify the economic, social and environmental impacts of changes in Russia since Do you believe that Russia deserves the title ‘superpower’?

Global Natural Gas Reserves

HOMEWORK 1.UNIT 3 Sample assessment material 4. Explain how membership of Intergovernmental Organisations gives some countries poltical and economic power. (10) Using Examples, assess the view that the relationship between superpowers and the developing world is a neo-colonial one.(15)