Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
SUPERPOWERS - CASE STUDIES - Coggle Diagram
SUPERPOWERS - CASE STUDIES
RUSSIA
WEAKNESSES
an ageing and declining population is unattractive to investors
prolonged gruiling costly war with huge number of deaths that Russia did not predict. Russia's military machine has suffered devastating damage.
Russia's government is led by two men - the president and the primeminister. Two men who are not known for their kindness, but to their resiliency. they hold most power within political decisions.
Its economy is unbalanced. Under the USSR, it was a big producer of electronics, vehicles, food and medicines. But its manufacturing halved after 1991.
Although military spending has increased, much of Russia's naval and aircraft stock is ageing e.g. its one aircraft carrier dates from the soviet era.
population declined between 1991 and 2015 and has never recovered.
Russia has a pollution legacy from industrialisation between 1930 and 1960, which occured with little concern about the damage caused by deforestation, mining, spillages or toxic waste and from the Cherynobl nuclear reactor explosion.
Russia is one of the most unequally developed countries, 35% of its wealth is shared between 110 people the richest 1% control 71% of this wealth
STRENGTHS
Russia is the ninth largest global economy.
Russia is home to one of the worlds largest militaries, not only are the navy and airforce equipped with the latest missiles and weapons. Russia also has nuclear weapons, so would have a devastating effect on the rest of the world
still people beyond Russian boundaries that identify and have connections with the country
russia is quite advanced in renweable and NANO industries so in big future industries they have a big share of the tech
growing IT market is a point of interest of Russian citizens
there has been a decline in Russian global influence since 1991, although vladmir putin has sought to rebuild it in recent years
natural resources - fossil fuels, artic ships
EVALUATION
Russia has one of the worlds largest militaries, with its military being equipped with the latest missiles and weapons. Russia also has nuclear weapons so would have a devastating effect on the rest of the world. However, although Russia has strength in its military this prolonged costly war has led to a hug number of deaths that Russia did not predict and this advanced military has also become increasingly damaged. Therefore, there is a large loss of workers amongst Russia. This war has also led to many links becoming cut off between Russia and other countries across the world and so, Russia's political influence is diminishing although there are some people in neighbouring countries that identify with Russia.
BRAZIL
ECONOMIC
STRENGTHS - Brazil is important regionally in South America, because it produces half of South America's GDP (2015) - Huge natural resources and is self-sufficient in both food and energy - is an agricultural superpower, the third largest producer of iron ore, the second largest of biofuel, the fifteenth largest of oil and the third largest of HEP
WEAKNESSES
relies on primary products for export, rather than manufacturing
POLITICAL
WEAKNESSES
has been politically less stable in recent years, with accusations of corruption, as well as protests every year since 2013, caused by government spending cuts and perceived government corruption
CULTURAL
STRENGTHS
Has a global reputation as a footballing nation... hosted the 2014 football World Cup as well as the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics
also famous for the Rio carnival
MILITARY
STRENGTHS - spends 60% of South America's total military budget
WEAKNESSES
militarily Brazil is the least significant of the BRICS
DEMOGRAPHIC
STRENGTHS
contains half of South America's population (210 million in 2016)
Its population is young (median age is 31.3 in 2015) but ageing
WEAKNESSES
the fertility rate fell from 6 in 1960 to 1.8 in 2015
ENVIORNMENTAL
STRENGTHS
Brazil's biodiversity includes 13% of all known species, with a huge range of flora and fauna
supports global initiatives... the UN conference on climate change.
WEAKNESSES
Brazil also has major environmental issues - deforestation in the amazon, illegal poaching, and pollution caused by mining activities and oil spills
EVALUATION
Regionally exerting influence over other countries... BUT could be a limitation as it doesn't have the sufficient capacity to go globally (only regional influence)
young population BUT is ageing
primary product dependancy
military spending and presence is significant regionally but less so globally
CHINA
MILITARY
STRENGTHS
world's largest army and second highest military budget ($216.4
WEAKNESSES
little military strength, only two external military bases
ECONOMIC
WEAKNESSES
rural-urban migration and higher levels of education are leading the population to become more vocal in demands for higher wages
the population is aging, decreasing the number of workers
STRENGTHS
popular offshoring destination despite China insisting that technology must be shared with them, allowing their manufacturing to progress rapidly
cheap labour rates due to large educated workforce and low cost of living
POLITICAL
STRENGTHS
strong central government creating rapid technological advancements
world's fastest supercomputer, largest hydroelectric dam, produces more than a quarter of the world's total
WEAKNESSES
China often delegates substantial authority to its local and regional governments which do not maintain continuity or standard checks across regions
State owned banks mismanage funds, over investing in property and underinvesting in long-term economic development
CULTURAL
STRENGTHS
120 Confucious institutes spreading Chinese culture and languages across other major global cities
Mandarin is a growing language studied in UK secondary schools
WEAKNESSES
China has few global brands and a negligible impact on global entertainment
DEMOGRAPHIC
WEAKNESSES
its former one-child policy has created an aging population, in 2015 its median age was 35.2 compared to India's 27.5
many Chinese people retire at 51 (earlier than the legal age) creating a high level of dependency
China is isolated in terms of international migration, unlike USA
it needs more immigrants to support its economy and elders
STRENGTHS
large, well-educated workforce with low living costs creates ideal market for offshoring investments
EVALUATION
China's primary asset in their growth as a superpower is their manufacturing boom. This has allowed them to generate income to invest and take control of industry hotspots in other countries using the One Belt One Road Initiative. However, culturally, and in terms of alliances with other countries, China is very isolated and often seen as a sinister or 'undercover' presence. Its aging population means it may not always have the workforce to support its industry, so it will have to become more globally integrated in terms of in-migration to continue to rise from an economic and social standpoint. The stark contrast between its political system with most other global superpowers makes it difficult to form military alliances.
INDIA
ECONOMIC
STRENGTHS
The Indian economy averaged 7% annual growth - and quadrupled between 1997 and 2015
English - speaking education system and widespread use of English - leading to the growth of out-sourced industries in IT. Its major unviversities also have global reputation
WEAKNESSES
Manufacturing peaked at 17% of GDP in 1995 and is now only 14%
Infrastructure is poor in both energy and water supply as well as in transport. Power cuts are frequent - one cut in 2012 affected 620 million people
government is facing large debts which has led to a reduction in the value of the rupee
20% of Indians live in abject poverty
POLITICAL
STRENGTHS
672 million voters, India is the world's largest democracy
was the founding member of the UN and of the G20 grouping of industrialised nations
takes part in UN peacekeeping missions
MILITARY
STRENGTHS
Global Fire Power ranks India as the fourth largest military power in terms of its weaponry and personnel
CULTURE
STRENGTHS
India was the birthplace of four world religions
the world's largest film industry, Bollywood, produces 1200 films a year, without Hollywood's global reach
DEMOGRAPHIC
STRENGTHS
At 1.27 billion, India has the world's largest population
it has a youthful and massive working population. Its working population exceeds Chinas
EVALUATION
India has a young well educated population creating a strong workforce ready to drive economic growth. However most of this youthful population live in extreme poverty. Despite a growing technology sector and interantional businesses most of India's population live without the basic nesseities such as education and healthcare. Whilst India is able to create its own food supply, much of the agricultural industry suffers from a lack of new tools and equipment to faster growth.