Island School Global Politics
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    • Unit 1: Power, Sovereignty and International Relations >
      • 1. What is the nature of power? >
        • 1. What is power?
        • 2. How does realism define power?
        • 3. How does liberalism define power?
        • 4. How do critical theories define power?
        • 5. Which theory best explains power?
      • 2. How has state power evolved? >
        • 1. How did the nation state emerge?
        • 2. What is sovereignty?
        • 3. How is state sovereignty challenged today?
        • 4. What is the 'social contract'?
        • 5. What gives state power its legitimacy?
        • 6. What type of states are more legitimate?
      • 3. Can other groups influence the power of the state? >
        • 1. How much power do IGOs have over states?
        • 2. Are NGOs insignificant global actors?
        • 3. How effective are social movements?
        • 4. How do resistance movements operate?
        • 5. Are political parties legitimate actors?
        • 6. Do informal forums undermine democracy?
      • 4. Can global interactions improve the world?
      • Unit 1: Exam Questions
    • Unit 2: Human Rights >
      • 1. How have Human Rights evolved?
      • 2. Who or what protects our Human Rights?
      • 3. How do Human Rights operate in practice?
      • 4. Why are Human Rights so contested?
    • Unit 3: Development >
      • 1. Why is development contested?
      • 2. How can development be helped or hindered?
      • 3. Can globalisation help increase development?
      • 4. Can development be made more sustainable?
    • Unit 4: Peace and Conflict >
      • 1. Is the use of violence ever justified?
      • 2. What causes conflicts to develop?
      • 3. How do conflicts evolve over time?
      • 4. Can peace be achieved by managing conflicts?
    • HL Extension: Global Political Challenges >
      • Topic 1: Environment
      • Topic 2: Poverty
      • Topic 3: Health
      • Topic 4: Identity
      • Topic 5: Borders
      • Topic 6: Security
    • EA: Engagement Activity
    • EE: Extended Essay in Global Politics
    • News Blog
    • Research Links
  • More

Unit 1: Power, Sovereignty and International Relations

Unit Outline


This unit focuses on the dynamics of power and how it is manifested and legitimised at various levels. The roles of state and non-state actors are examined, their interactions in global politics are discussed and their success in achieving their aims and objectives is evaluated.

DOWNLOAD THE IB SPECIFICATION FOR THIS UNIT
REVIEW PAST PAPER EXAM QUESTIONS FOR THIS UNIT

1. What is the nature of power?

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Power is an essential core concept of Global Politics. At the heart of all political issues lies questions about power and how power is distributed. This topic serves as an introduction to this concept, exploring the theories about how power operates at all levels of analysis.

2. How has state power evolved?

States are the basic building blocks of the current international system and have existed in their current form for centuries. Any study of Global Politics needs to consider how states are seen as legitimate actors, and how they wield their sovereign power.
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3. Can other groups influence the power of the state?

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In Global Politics, it is important to study non-state actors alongside states as these organisations can often be more effective at initiating global change. They provide ways for communities to influence the actions of states, often in ways contrary to the aims of states.

4. Can global interactions improve the world?

For the past few centuries, the world has rapidly become a more interconnected place. The process of globalisation has confronted states with new problems and challenges that call for greater cooperation and interdependence. ​This unit examines these processes.
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  • Home
  • Explorations
  • MUN
  • IBDP Global Politics
    • Unit 1: Power, Sovereignty and International Relations >
      • 1. What is the nature of power? >
        • 1. What is power?
        • 2. How does realism define power?
        • 3. How does liberalism define power?
        • 4. How do critical theories define power?
        • 5. Which theory best explains power?
      • 2. How has state power evolved? >
        • 1. How did the nation state emerge?
        • 2. What is sovereignty?
        • 3. How is state sovereignty challenged today?
        • 4. What is the 'social contract'?
        • 5. What gives state power its legitimacy?
        • 6. What type of states are more legitimate?
      • 3. Can other groups influence the power of the state? >
        • 1. How much power do IGOs have over states?
        • 2. Are NGOs insignificant global actors?
        • 3. How effective are social movements?
        • 4. How do resistance movements operate?
        • 5. Are political parties legitimate actors?
        • 6. Do informal forums undermine democracy?
      • 4. Can global interactions improve the world?
      • Unit 1: Exam Questions
    • Unit 2: Human Rights >
      • 1. How have Human Rights evolved?
      • 2. Who or what protects our Human Rights?
      • 3. How do Human Rights operate in practice?
      • 4. Why are Human Rights so contested?
    • Unit 3: Development >
      • 1. Why is development contested?
      • 2. How can development be helped or hindered?
      • 3. Can globalisation help increase development?
      • 4. Can development be made more sustainable?
    • Unit 4: Peace and Conflict >
      • 1. Is the use of violence ever justified?
      • 2. What causes conflicts to develop?
      • 3. How do conflicts evolve over time?
      • 4. Can peace be achieved by managing conflicts?
    • HL Extension: Global Political Challenges >
      • Topic 1: Environment
      • Topic 2: Poverty
      • Topic 3: Health
      • Topic 4: Identity
      • Topic 5: Borders
      • Topic 6: Security
    • EA: Engagement Activity
    • EE: Extended Essay in Global Politics
    • News Blog
    • Research Links
  • More