9.3.3

Superpowers & Global Action

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Superpowers and Global Action

Superpowers and emerging nations play an important role in global action. They play a key role in international decision making when it comes to crisis response, conflict and climate change.

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Global police

  • The current superpowers and powerful countries act as ‘global police’ by responding to conflict around the world.
  • An example of superpowers responding to conflict, was in Afghanistan in the early 21st century.
    • There have been tensions in this region that have led to conflict for 40 years.
    • The USA became involved following the 9/11 attacks.
  • Some people believe the UN failed to intervene sufficiently in the Srebrenica massacre, which saw thousands of Bosniaks killed in Bosnia.
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Environment

  • Superpowers play an important role in international decision making when it comes to climate change.
  • The major superpowers are the major emitters of greenhouse gases and thus they are under pressure to act.
  • In 2017, Donald Trump, US President, withdrew the USA from the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
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Humanitarian crises

  • When natural disasters hit developing countries. Superpowers and emerging nations offer a variety of support to these countries.
  • Developing nations look to help from other countries as they lack the funds to do it themselves.
  • For example, since the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the USA has given over $5.1 billion in aid. This has supported life-saving post-disaster relief as well as long-term recovery, reconstruction and development programs. There are 164 new clinics in Haiti and 72,000 children were immunised against various diseases in 2017.

Jump to other topics

1Tectonic Processes & Hazards

2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change

3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change

4Globalisation

5Option 4A: Regenerating Places

6Option 4B: Diverse Places

7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)

8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)

9Superpowers (A2 only)

10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)

11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)

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