IB Global Politics HL study plan

Define and distinguish the four core concepts of power, sovereignty, legitimacy and interdependence, and write one-paragraph definitions in your own words

Map the levels of analysis (individual, state, international, global) onto two contrasting real-world cases you choose yourself

Explain how realism, liberalism and constructivism each account for state behaviour under anarchy

Build a one-page glossary of 15 key terms from Domain 1 with a concrete example for each

Analyse how sovereignty is contested in practice, using cases such as secession, intervention, pooled sovereignty in regional organisations, and contested territory

Evaluate the roles of the UN, NATO, the WTO and regional bodies in shaping state behaviour

Compare hard, soft and smart power and apply each to a specific state's foreign policy

Practise writing a thesis statement that takes a clear position on whether sovereignty is eroding

Distinguish the causes, types and dynamics of conflict: interstate, intrastate, asymmetric and 'new wars'

Explain how the security dilemma, alliances and deterrence can both prevent and escalate conflict

Identify the main instruments of peace and conflict resolution, including mediation, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and sanctions

Apply one conflict case study of your choice to at least three theoretical frameworks

Evaluate the effectiveness and limits of UN peacekeeping and collective security with reference to at least two operations

Assess how just war thinking and international humanitarian law constrain the conduct of war

Analyse the role of non-state armed groups and how they challenge state-centric models of conflict

Draft and time a full essay under exam conditions

Trace the development of the international human rights regime from the UDHR to the core treaties and monitoring bodies

Distinguish civil and political rights from economic, social and cultural rights, and explain the debates between them

Analyse tensions between human rights norms and state sovereignty, including non-interference and cultural relativism critiques

Evaluate the effectiveness of mechanisms such as treaty bodies, the Human Rights Council and international courts

Compare competing measures and meanings of development, including GDP, HDI, Gini and multidimensional poverty indices

Explain how colonialism, dependency and global trade rules shape development outcomes

Evaluate the roles of the World Bank, IMF, WTO, NGOs and emerging donors in development

Assess how at least two Sustainable Development Goals interact and where progress has stalled

Define your engagement project question and justify its link to a course concept such as power, legitimacy or human rights

Select a method of political engagement, such as advocacy, campaigning, consultation or direct action, and justify the choice

Draft the written report structure, including rationale, evidence, reflection and evaluation of the engagement

Rehearse the oral presentation and prepare responses to likely examiner questions

Revise and finalise the engagement project report and presentation materials

Synthesise the four examined domains into a single revision sheet of core concepts and case studies

Complete two timed mixed-domain practice essays and mark them against assessment criteria

Identify and patch the three weakest areas revealed by practice marking