5 mins
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
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.
5 mins
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.
15
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?
5 mins
Plenary: Which theory(s) . . .
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Is/are based on colonialism?
Is/are based on power?
Is/are based on economic development?
Believes that Russia should be the
worlds superpower?
Explain the UK being a former
superpower?
Is the most realistic to explain the world?
Is least realistic to explain the world?
Do you agree with most?
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.