Interim assessment – Exam Question

Superpower Geographies

• (b) Using named examples, assess the relative importance of economic, military and cultural factors in influencing superpower status. (15)

5 mins

Aim: What theories help to explain the rise of the

superpowers?Learning outcomes:Grades A/A*: I will understand 4+ theories regarding superpowers and evaluate them. Grades B/C: I will understand 3-4 theories regarding superpowers and evaluate them.

Starter: How far do you agree that we are moving towards a multi-polar world?

5 mins

What theories exist?

•Political theories: communism etc •WW Rostow’s ‘Take Off’ model and modernisation theory

•AG Frank’s Dependency Theory •Wallerstein’s systems theory •Mackinder’s heartland theory•Evangelical Christianity and social Darwinism

•Supercycles/Kondratiev waves

5 mins

Name the political system . . .

CAPITALIST

SOCIAL DEMOCRACY

IMPERIALIST

COMMUNIST

Name the political system . . .

The culture, economy and politics of the ‘Mother country’ dominate a subordinate colony. Democracy can exist in the ‘Mother country’. The colonial idea.

private ownership of the means of production (business and property) is not allowed. The philosopher Karl Marx developed the theory of communism. He argued that private ownership of business meant that the rich would seek to maximise profits at the expense of their workers creating a divided society where the rich (the bourgeoisie) exploited the working class (the proletariat). Marx believed that the means of production should be owned in common as this would create a more equal society. State are not usually democratic. China still retains its communist roots but actively encourages enterprise. Few true communist states remain e.g. Cuba.

there is a division between the people who own the business and make the profit and those that work for them. The country is usually a democratic one. The USA is a true capitalist country. There is belief in the market economy where people are free to work and produce as they like. Under this uncontrolled system, the poor may become poorer and the wealthy richer.

This has evolved over time. True principles believe in socialist policies whereby there is an element of ‘care’ and ‘help’ for citizens from the Government. Many European Governments today believe in such principles including our own Labour Party (although ‘new’ labour changed the theory. There isn’t a social democratic party in the USA. Many countries operate a combination of a free market and some state control.

Political Systems

Imperialist: The culture, economy and politics of the ‘Mother country’ dominate a subordinate colony. Democracy can exist in the ‘Mother country’. The colonial idea.

Capitalist: there is a division between the people who own the business and make the profit and those that work for them. The country is usually a democratic one. The USA is a true capitalist country. There is belief in the market economy where people are free to work and produce as they like. Under this uncontrolled system, the poor may become poorer and the wealthy richer.

Communist: private ownership of the means of production (business and property) is not allowed. The philosopher Karl Marx developed the theory of communism. He argued that private ownership of business meant that the rich would seek to maximise profits at the expense of their workers creating a divided society where the rich (the bourgeoisie) exploited the working class (the proletariat). Marx believed that the means of production should be owned in common as this would create a more equal society. State are not usually democratic. China still retains its communist roots but actively encourages enterprise. Few true communist states remain e.g. Cuba.

Social Democracy: This has evolved over time. True principles believe in socialist policies whereby there is an element of ‘care’ and ‘help’ for citizens from the Government. Many European Governments today believe in such principles including our own Labour Party (although ‘new’ labour changed the theory. There isn’t a social democratic party in the USA. Many countries operate a combination of a free market and some state control.

5 mins

The other theories . . .

•WW Rostow’s ‘Take Off’ model and modernisation theory

•AG Frank’s Dependency Theory •Wallerstein’s world systems theory •Mackinder’s heartland theory•Evangelical Christianity and social Darwinism

Read and make notes on the main principles of each theory.What questions have you got about the theories?What do you think of the theories?

15 mins

Plenary: Which theory(s) . . .

1. Is/are based on colonialism?2. Is/are based on power?3. Is/are based on economic

development?4. Believes that Russia should be the

worlds superpower?5. Explain the UK being a former

superpower?6. Is the most realistic to explain the

world?7. Is least realistic to explain the

world?8. Do you agree with most?

5 mins

Assess the view that the USAs superpower status is threatened by the emergence of the

BRICs (15).

Do some independent research, and show highlighting/ note taking around it, to be

submitted as part of the HW.

Use this research to create an essay plan, also to be submitted.

Write the essay. Try to stick to a 15-20 minute time limit.