Polarity:
- Unipolar world: One polarity i.e one superpower such as the USA or British Empire.
- Bipolar world: Two polarities i.e two countries that are superpowers such as the USA & USSR during the Cold War.
- Multipolar world: Several superpowers and emerging powers competing for power. This may be the future of the world when China is more developed.
- Britain was a unipolar SP when there was advanced technology and a large navy hence they had control. They gained colonies through hard power such as the Navy and soft power such as education to create a rich elite in the countries they invaded. In India, English culture remains strong
- A multipolar world may be unstable as countries challenge each other for a unipolar power world.
- Even a bipolar world has been unstable in the past during the Cold War when USA and USSR was competing for power and had different allies. Nuclear warheads were created and the end of the world was almost seen.
- Hegemony: Total control by one superpower e.g right now with USA.
Why
Did A Bipolar World (USA vs USSR) Collapse:
- Essentially, the wind of change occurred meaning that USSR’s power was declining and the USA had more powerful political allies which saw this win and the USSR collapse.
- The USA capitalist society tried to contain communism from Russia which it saw as a threat but the USSR responded by getting more military. They created nuclear war heads. Russia also went for a expansionist policy by expanding their boarders.
- They never fought each other but were opposed to other nations in the Vietnam War
- In terms of culture, population and resources and political allies, the USA won and USSR lost.
Changing
Patterns of Power:
- Many people think the future will be a more complex, fragmented and regional multi-polar world
- It is important to recognise that power can decline as well as grow
- Indirect control is now more important than direct control
Indirect
Control & Neo-Colonialism:
- Neo-Colonialism: When colonies get independence.
- Indirect Control: Using methods to benefit and control countries without having armies or presence in the country e.g providing aid to build roads and hospitals or letting TNCs in.
Direct Imperial Control (Colonialism)
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Indirect Neo-Colonialism:
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Military power is important |
Loans given which need to be repaid |
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‘Divide and rule’ – supporting certain groups to get them to
fight others.
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TNCs taking profit from the country |
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Navy ships invading or invasion in general.
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Cheap raw material exported out, high value machinery sold in
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Help with technology and development to increase dependency
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