Geography HL – Homework

Analyze how powerful states influence global interactions in ways which benefit themselves.
command terms

analyze = “to break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure”

 How do powerful states influence global interactions? How do these ways benefit
them?

superpower = “a country that is able to have a certain influence on the world based on its dominant
power (political, economic and military power)” (Cambridge University Press, 1996)

global interactions= a two-way and complex process whereby cultural traits and commodities may be
adopted, adapted or resisted by societies

aim

= highlight the powerful states’ influence and their “personal” benefits

divide “influence” into:

1. social/cultural influence (soft power)

2. economic influence (hard power)
3. political influence (soft power)
4. military influence (hard power)

structure

positive-positive-negative

 positive = ways they influence and that benefit them

 negative = ways they influence that don’t benefit them

INTRODUCTION (BRIEF!)

 introduce topic
- include some examples (plan of the essay)
 superpower = “a country that is able to have a certain influence on the world based on its
dominant power (political, economic and military power)” (Cambridge University Press,
1996)
 include the title (re-phrased)
- title: How do powerful states influence global interactions in ways which benefit
themselves?
 background info for each of the powerful states (3 case studies!) + how they became a
superpower
- USA
 success in wars (WW1+WW2, Spanish-American War, etc.)
 large land mass
 many resources
 - China
 increased production and investment
 reformed its import and export policy
 economic development (grin.com)
- Russia
 world’s largest nation
 lots of resources (e.g.: oil. Coal, etc.)
 large military + largest number of nuclear warheads (4700)

BODY PARAGRAPHS (ANALYTICAL PLAN!)

 paragraph #1 (how they influence and the benefits for the powerful state)
- case study = USA
- categories = social/cultural, economic, political, military
- YES, benefits them
- “Americanization” – TNCs dominate the world market and trade
- English as a language is used in many countries
- US $ is the central currency
- one of the best models for democracy (influenced Germany)
- spread universal values (e.g.: human rights, freedom, equality)
- most powerful country in the world (although it doesn’t have the largest military or most
money)
 more investments towards the country (imports, exports, trade, etc.)
 can influence the rules of global trade to benefit themselves
 USA is popularized (through Americanization) – more people want to visit and support
 many countries rely on the US for help (military)
 paragraph #2 (how they influence and the benefits for the powerful state)
- case study = China
- categories = social/cultural, economic
- YES, benefits them
- China town in many large cities across the world
- TNCs (e.g.: Huawei, Tik Tok [ByteDance], Lenovo)  technology market
 more investments
 more people visit (China town = popularity)
 major influence on technology sector (influence the market for their benefit)
 paragraph #3 (how they influence but the powerful state isn’t benefited)
- case study = Russia
- categories = military, social/cultural, economic
- by force
- market of arms and military
- trade of oil, etc.
- shields other countries from criticism (e.g.: Syria)
 Russia is looked down on (invasions, etc.)
 sanctions imposed by the USA
 unpopular country

CONCLUSION
  re-state the title
 how did the essay “answer” the question?
 summarize/state the main arguments I made

sources

https://sites.google.com/site/geographyfais/methodology/command-terms (13.10.21)

https://www.vox.com/2015/5/20/8615345/america-global-power-maps (13.10.21)

https://www.grin.com/document/946853 (13.10.21)

https://www.grin.com/document/946853 (13.10.21)

https://www.grin.com/document/168240 (13.10.21)

https://oecd-development-matters.org/2021/07/26/the-european-union-as-a-development-
superpower/ (13.10.21)

https://www.schule-bw.de/faecher-und-schularten/sprachen-und-literatur/englisch/
unterrichtsmaterialien-nach-kompetenzen/sprechen/kommunikationspruefung/themen/speaking-
topic-us-global-role-1.pdf (13.10.21)

https://www.rand.org/nsrd/projects/russian-arms-sales-and-sanctions-compliance.html (13.10.21)

https://www.google.com/url?
sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi399v_nNTzAhVTgf0HHd3
QBrcQFnoECAYQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geo41.com%2Fhl-global-
interactions&usg=AOvVaw0hb067BfLWoLkGwyHHpX0o (18.10.21)