INFLUENCING POWER
Learning Objectives:
• To know the four main ways that superpowers
exercise their power
• To be able to give specific examples of exercised
power
Recap
• Watch the following clips
• Add to your notes from the previous lesson
• For each one think of a superpower this relates to, be prepared to
discuss this with the class
• http://current.com/items/88912435_superpower-money.htm
• http://current.com/items/88911077_superpower-culture.htm
• http://current.com/items/88911076_superpower-firepower.htm
• http://current.com/items/88914010_superpower-politics.htm
Economic Power
• Wealth allows superpowers to export their power around
the world, buy resources and influence trade patterns.
Can you name the top 10?
• What do you think are the 10 top ranking companies in
the world?
Forbes’ Global 2000
Forbes’ Global 2000
• Forbes' ranking of the world's biggest companies departs
from lopsided lists based on a single metric, like sales.
Instead, we use an equal weighting of sales, profits,
assets and market value to rank companies according to
size
• Each year's list reveals the dynamism of global business
• The rankings span 62 countries, with the U.S. (536
members) and Japan (260 members) still dominating
the list, but with a combined 10 fewer entries. Mainland
China is closing in on the two leaders and now sits as the
third largest country in terms of membership, up from 16th
place five years ago
How have things changed?
• What changes have there been in the top ranking
companies?
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes_Global_2000
Military Power
The USA has the world’s
most powerful military
machine and this is
geographically widespread.
45% of all world spending
on military is by the U.S.A.
•Nuclear Weapons
•Army Personnel
•Satellite Technology
•Spies
Cultural Power
Individual Task:
Read through the article by
Timothy Garton Ash
What is cultural power?
What examples of cultural power are
illustrated in the article?
What other examples of cultural
power can you think of?
Add notes to your grid
Geographical Power
This is the sphere of
influence a superpower
has.
What geographical power
is identified in these
images?
Criteria for defining a superpower
Military Power
Economic Power
Cultural Power
Geographical Power
How do each of these powers affect each
other?
Which of these is the most important?
Why?
Think!
Japan holds the world’s second largest economy and almost half of the
world’s top 100 companies are Japanese. What reason could you think of
which might explain why Japan is not a “superpower”?
Exam Question
Using examples, explain how superpowers can exert their
influence.
(10 marks)