7.5A Global Action
Superpowers and emerging nations play an key role in global action (crisis response, conflict, climate change) (P: role of powerful countries as 'global police'
Superpowers and emerging powers have the ability to act globally. This is especially true of the USA, slightly less so for the EU, and much less true for the BRICs. A key characteristic of a true superpower is that weaker countries look to it to act in times of crisis. This includes:
- intervening in war and conflict, especially when an internal conflict threatens to spill-out into other countries
- taking action in terms of crisis response, e.g. natural disaster, famine or a serious disease outbreak
- responding to terrorism, such as the threat from Al-Qaeda or ISIS
- responding to longer-term threats, such as climate-change-induced global warming
For the USA, and to a lesser extent the EU, this expectation is a heavy responsibility and also a huge economic cost.
It is often expected to act as a 'global policeman' (1942, President Roosevelt), sorting out problems in any place. Many Americans do not accept this role. China is very reluctant to act in this way, despite its rising power.
War on Terror
Since 2001, the USA has led a global effort against Islamic terrorism in Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, East Africa and the Middle East
2011 Libya Crisis
The EU, led by France and the UK, took military action against the Gaddafi regime, with the help of US military assets
2010 Haiti Earthquake
The USA used its vast naval and air force assets to respond to the disaster with medical, food and infrastructure aid
2014 Ebola epidemic
The USA, UK and France led the crisis response in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, deploying military and medical assets