9.2.2
Emerging Powers - China Rivalry
Emerging Powers - BRICs
Emerging Powers - BRICs
A number of emerging countries are increasingly important to global economic and political systems. The main emerging powers are the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China).
21st century challengers to the USA
21st century challengers to the USA
- The 21st century has seen economic change as the BRICs emerge as major economies.
- Russia is re-emerging as a major economic power after the collapse of the USSR in 1991.
- Many people believe that by 2050 the USA will no longer be a uni-polar and we will return to a multi-polar world- as last seen in the imperial era.
Gap vs the USA
Gap vs the USA
- It is important to recognise however that each of these emerging nations has a long way to go before they are a genuine challenge to America’s status.
- For example, in 2014 the combined GDP of the BRIC was $16.4 trillion. This combined total is still about 8% less than that of the USA.
- The population of the USA in 2016 was 323 million. The BRICs had a combined population of 3.2 billion.
Global environmental governance
Global environmental governance
- As these emerging powers grow in size economically, their carbon emissions and contributions towards climate change are increasing too.
- At the last UN Climate Change Conference in Paris 2015, it was recognised that the BRIC nations would have to play their part in reducing carbon emissions if global targets were to be hit.
- The BRICs are increasingly important for global environmental governance.
Global carbon emissions
Global carbon emissions
- Data from Greenpeace earlier this year showed that despite a global agreement to reduce carbon emissions, China’s carbon emissions are on track to rise at their fastest pace in more than 7 years during 2018.
- China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases and their carbon emissions rose by 4% in the first part of this year.
- This shows that unless the BRIC nations, and particularly China, play their part in global environmental governance, targets are unlikely to be met.
Rivals to US Hegemony - China
Rivals to US Hegemony - China
In recent decades, China’s rapid economic growth has begun to challenge America’s power and influence. China is seeking to expand its own global influence through a number of different strategies- including its investment in Africa.
China's economic growth
China's economic growth
- Between 2012 and 2017, China’s economic growth lifted 68.53 million people out of poverty. That’s a drop in the poverty rate from 10.2% to 3.4% in 5 years.
- At the end of 2010, China overtook Japan as the world’s second-largest economy.
- Many people believe that China’s continued economic growth will see it become the world’s largest economy by 2050.
China relative to the USA
China relative to the USA
- However, China's economy is still a long way behind America's economy. In 2015, America accounted for 22.4% of global GDP whereas China accounted for 13.4% - a significant difference.
Will China overtake the USA?
Will China overtake the USA?
- Nobody knows whether or not China will be able to sustain its economic growth throughout this century.
- Whilst it has seen significant progress, there are also lots of rising challenges for China that may mean it never fully rivals America for superpower status.
- It seems fair to categorise China as an emerging superpower.
1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.2Natural Disasters
1.3Natural Disaster Case Studies
1.4Trends & Patterns
2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change
2.1Glaciated Landscapes Over Time
2.2Periglacial Landscapes
2.3Glacial Processes
2.4Glacial Landforms
3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change
3.1Coastal Landscapes
3.2Coastal Erosion & Deposition
3.3Coastal Risks
4Globalisation
4.1Globalisation
4.2Negatives of Globalisation
4.3Global Shift
4.5Culture
4.6Measuring Development
5Option 4A: Regenerating Places
5.1Types of Economies
5.2Function of Places
5.3Regeneration
5.4Regeneration Case Studies
6Option 4B: Diverse Places
6.1Population Structure
6.2Past & Present Connections
6.3Urban & Rural Spaces
6.4Diversity
6.5Urban & Rural Case Studies
6.6Case Study - Tower Hamlets
6.7Case Study - Sturton-le-Steeple
7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)
7.1Hydrological Processes Global to Local
7.2Influences on the Water Cycle
7.3Water Insecurity
8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)
8.1The Carbon Cycle
8.2Energy Consumption
8.3Alternative Energy
8.4Growing Demand for Resources
9Superpowers (A2 only)
9.1Superpowers
9.2Hard & Soft Power
9.2.1Hard & Soft Power
9.2.2Emerging Powers - China Rivalry
9.2.3Emerging Powers - Chinese Sources of Power
9.2.4Emerging Powers - Brazil
9.2.5Emerging Powers - Russia
9.2.6Emerging Powers - India
9.2.7Theories of Development
9.2.8Power Case Studies: Chinese One Belt One Road
9.2.9Power Case Studies: Pakistan Nuclear Arms
9.2.10Power Case Studies: OPEC
9.3IGOs, TNCs & Alliances
10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)
10.1Human Development
10.2Role of Governments & IGOs
10.3Human Rights
10.4Interventions
11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)
11.1Globalisation & Migration
11.2Consequences of Migration
11.3Nation States
11.4Responses to Global Migration
Jump to other topics
1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.2Natural Disasters
1.3Natural Disaster Case Studies
1.4Trends & Patterns
2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change
2.1Glaciated Landscapes Over Time
2.2Periglacial Landscapes
2.3Glacial Processes
2.4Glacial Landforms
3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change
3.1Coastal Landscapes
3.2Coastal Erosion & Deposition
3.3Coastal Risks
4Globalisation
4.1Globalisation
4.2Negatives of Globalisation
4.3Global Shift
4.5Culture
4.6Measuring Development
5Option 4A: Regenerating Places
5.1Types of Economies
5.2Function of Places
5.3Regeneration
5.4Regeneration Case Studies
6Option 4B: Diverse Places
6.1Population Structure
6.2Past & Present Connections
6.3Urban & Rural Spaces
6.4Diversity
6.5Urban & Rural Case Studies
6.6Case Study - Tower Hamlets
6.7Case Study - Sturton-le-Steeple
7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)
7.1Hydrological Processes Global to Local
7.2Influences on the Water Cycle
7.3Water Insecurity
8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)
8.1The Carbon Cycle
8.2Energy Consumption
8.3Alternative Energy
8.4Growing Demand for Resources
9Superpowers (A2 only)
9.1Superpowers
9.2Hard & Soft Power
9.2.1Hard & Soft Power
9.2.2Emerging Powers - China Rivalry
9.2.3Emerging Powers - Chinese Sources of Power
9.2.4Emerging Powers - Brazil
9.2.5Emerging Powers - Russia
9.2.6Emerging Powers - India
9.2.7Theories of Development
9.2.8Power Case Studies: Chinese One Belt One Road
9.2.9Power Case Studies: Pakistan Nuclear Arms
9.2.10Power Case Studies: OPEC
9.3IGOs, TNCs & Alliances
10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)
10.1Human Development
10.2Role of Governments & IGOs
10.3Human Rights
10.4Interventions
11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)
11.1Globalisation & Migration
11.2Consequences of Migration
11.3Nation States
11.4Responses to Global Migration
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