4.1.2 Global Superpowers Notes

Superpower - Having an Ability to Influence Policies and Places Beyond Own Territory

1. A superpower possesses dominant levels of economic, military, political, and cultural influence.
2. Superpowers can project power beyond their borders - to other places.

1. Global Superpowers

1. After the Second World War two superpowers emerged - the USA and the USSR - creating the bipolar world.
2. The competition between the USA and USSR was called the “Cold War” and lasted until the collapse of communism between 1989 (first free elections in Poland in June and the fall of Berlin Wall in November) and 1991 (dissolution of the Soviet Union).
3. In the 1990s and early 21st Century the USA was the only global superpower being able to shape international economics and politics unilaterally.
4. However, with the rising economic strength and political influence of other countries like China, India, or Brazil, a world order of multiple powers has emerged in the 21st Century with the USA and China as global superpowers.

2. Global Shift of Power

1. During the Cold War not only the USA and USSR were the only superpowers, but also most of the economic and political power was located among the so-called Global North.
2. This division is symbolically represented by the Brandt Line dividing the world into Global North and Global South (all current LICs and MICs of Latin America, Africa, and Asia).
3. With the rise of emerging economies, unprecedented industrialization of Asia, economic growth in MICs and LICs, the increasing role of oil-rich countries, this division became outdated and does not represent the global pattern of power anymore.
4. The 21st Century most likely will be characterized by multipolarity - having multiple regional and global superpowers.

Hard Power vs. Soft Power