Superpowers 7.2 (a)

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USA and the USSR

Similarities

  • self sufficient in most raw materials (USA oil importer, USSR oil exporter)
  • both shown their cultures through media coverage

Differences

  • populations - USA 287m in 1989/USSR 291m in 1991
  • USA - democracy with free elections held every 4 years/USSR - single-party state with no free elections (dictatorship)
  • USA - capitalist, free-market economy and global TNCs/USSR - socialist, centrally planned economy, most businesses were state-owned
  • Allies - USA: Western Europe through NATO, strong economic and military ties to Japan and South Korea/USSR: eastern Europe (the Warsaw pact countries) and alliances with Cuba and other nations
  • USA - world's largest navy and most powerful airforce, with a 'ring' of bases surrounding the USSR. large nuclear arsenal and global network of nuclear bases. extensive global intelligence gathering the CIA
  • USSR -very large army, often outdated naval and air force capacity. nuclear weapons, troops stationed in Eastern Europe. extensive global intelligence through the KGB
  • USA - extensive media industry which is a powerful vehicle for conveying a positive view of communism, family values, democracy and affluence to a global audience
  • USSR - exported a 'high' culture message focussed on ballet, classical music and art in contrast to the 'popular' culture of the USA

Overall comparison

Overall, these both prove to be incredibly different. it is clear that the USA culture is more flexible and more accepting of influence, however the culture from the USSR has to stay reasonably the same because of the strict censorship that the country has to follow.

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