Help with IB Global Politics
IB Global Politics is a dynamic and challenging subject, so it’s no surprise that many students require assistance. Studying 16 key concepts across 4 units at 6 levels of analysis against 3 assessment objectives with almost innumerable potential case studies can be overwhelming even for the brightest IB Global Politics students, making extra help essential. What underpins all of IB Global Politics, however, is clear essay writing and deft source analysis. Carefully planning, thoughtfully structuring, and clearly evidencing one’s arguments with case studies and key concepts or terminology is non-negotiable for IB Global Politics students who want to elevate their answers to a 6 or 7. So, how can candidates for IB Global Politics help their essay writing?
Let’s briefly analyse two responses to the following question.
“Examine the claim that economically powerful states are able to manipulate global governance institutions to their advantage.”
We often find our students constructing responses similar to the one below. This will be considered along with feedback from an examiner’s perspective.
Economically powerful states, like the USA, UK, France, Germany and China are often able to manipulate global governance institutions. They have often used their power at the UN or in global financial institutions to manipulate policy to their advantage. In fact, the US frequently vetoes policies that are not in its interest, at the UN where it is a council member. The fact that the US economy is so large also makes it difficult to argue with as it sometimes places sanctions on countries it disagrees with through institutions like the UN and G7. Finance institutions are also biassed and work to undermine the developing world where it is to the advantage of developed countries like the USA. Overall, it’s clear that the claim is true.
Although the argumentation is clear, it lacks examples, detail, and clarification.
There is a lack of key terminology.
Indeed, it can be argued that economically powerful states do have the ability to manipulate global governance institutions due to their higher status, a form of soft power, within the institutions, such as the World Bank, IMF, and UN. For example, the current President of the World Bank is David Malpass, an American citizen. According to the founding constitutions of the World Bank and IMF, the World Bank’s President must be an American, and the IMF’s President must be a European. As these are global governance and monetary institutions geared towards supporting the developing world’s economic policy, this supports the idea that economically developed states can leverage their influence in global governance institutions to influence policy in their interest. This extends even to the local level as the World Bank often issues loans for infrastructure development that generally contribute to the integration of developing countries into the globalised economic system. Another example of a global institution which can be manipulated by economically powerful states is the United Nations (UN), which has a council of permanent members (the P5) with veto powers. These members are China, UK, USA, France and Russia, who are all among the most economically developed nations. The veto power is often used to protect these countries’ self-interest even at the expense of the developing world. For example, on the 1st of June, 2018, the US vetoed a resolution condemning Israel for its state violence in Gaza, Palestine. This was vetoed despite unanimous support from the other council members, showing both the ability to manipulate global governance policy. In summary, more economically powerful states often have a higher status and a larger role in global institutions that enables them to manipulate global governance institutions in accordance with their self-interest.
There is a consistent and clear analytical thread focused on the question.
There is a strong use of key concepts and key terminology.
The points are backed up by appropriate examples and detailed evidence.
Overall, IB Global Politics can pose a serious challenge to candidates, and it is a must to reach out for help if you are aiming for a 7. It’s an eye-opening, informative course that allows candidates to orient themselves in the world, but is certainly not the soft option some students seem to believe it is. Indeed, using key terminology, understanding core concepts, deploying effective case studies, and structuring your essays clearly is mandatory for successful performance. BartyED’s expert tutors deliver results for IB Global Politics candidates and can provide the exact help they need. Contact us here today to find out more about BartyED’s unique approach to mentoring academic excellence.