7.1A - Defining Characteristics of Superpowers

Superpowers, emerging and regional powers can be defined using contrasting characteristics (economic, political, military, cultural, demographic and access to natural resources.)


Basic Definitions

  • A superpower is a country with the ability to project its dominating power and influence anywhere in the world. 
    • E.g. USA
  • Emerging superpowers are countries with a large role in one of more superpower characteristics, and with growing influence. 
    • E.g. China, Brazil, India, Russia
  • Regional powers can project dominating power and influence over other countries within the continent or region. 
    • E.g. UK, Germany, France in Europe
    • Saudi Arabia and Iran in the Middle East
    • South Africa and Nigeria in Africa 
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Superpower Characteristics

There are 6 superpower characteristics! (Economic, Political, Military, Cultural, Demographic, Natural Resources), used to define which type of power a country is. 

1) Economic
  • Large GDP, high % of international trade, currency used as reserve currency. 
  • A large GDP creates influence as a potential market and as the home of TNCs which create FDI.
  • Underpins the other 5 characteristics
  • The USA has the world's largest total GDP - $18.5 trillion
2) Political
  • The ability to influence the policies of other countries through the dominance of negotiations. (Both bilaterally and through international organisations.)
  • Many international organisations do not equally weight members. 
    • Voting power may be determined by economic contribution, historical role in founding of organisation (UN), population etc...
  • Often due to dominance in other characteristics. 
    • E.g. large economy gives it power in trade talks, military power can make countries a threat - giving them political power
3) Military
  • Military power with a global reach means they can be used to achieve geopolitical goals 
  • Global influence through blue water (ocean going) navy and drone, missile and satellite technology
  • Indicators of power: army size, defence spending, nuclear weapons, inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), size of blue water navy, being a major arms exporter, presence on/leading international military organisations.    
  • Dependent on demographic power: the number of military personnel that can be deployed
  • Dependent on economic power: budget determines investment in military technology, which increases power
  • Russia has the most active nuclear warheads (1790)
    • The USA is in second place with 1750
4) Cultural
  • The ability to influence the beliefs, values, ideology and way of life in other countries. ​
  • Achieved through: 
    • the dominance of media (films, radio, television, internet, education)
    • TNCs or migrants introducing cultural products (food, clothing, music, religion)
    • imposition of viewpoint in international agreements
  • Indicators: global spread of music, fashion, food, language, religion
  • The USA has the highest percentage of the world's 20 largest TNCs - 27%. 
5) Demographic
  • A large population -> a large diaspora and workers at TNCs
  • Assists economic power through a large market and economies of scale (so more profit). 
  • Means army can be larger. 
  • China has the largest population - 1382 million
6) Resources
  • Control of access to physical resources: energy, minerals
  • Provides inputs for economic growth
  • Means they can be exported at a high price -> economic power
    • e.g. OPEC and oil
  • May be internally located, or accessed through reliable source countries through transport pathways. 
  • Essential for military power 

Extra

  • A 'hyperpower' is a word for the one, globally dominating superpower. 
    • 1850-1910: Britain was the hyperpower
    • 1990-2010: USA the hyperpower​