IB Global Politics (SL + HL) 2025/2026

Power definition

ability to influence or affect change in the behavior of others through authority, coercion or persuasion.

hard power + case study

the use of force and threats of force to influence the decision making of those in charge, through coercion, threats and sanctions.

soft power + case study

• The ability to shape the preferences of others through attraction and changing preferences, such as culture or values.

Saudi Arabia sportswashing

international sports towards their country.

2023 Christian Ronaldo signed with the Saudi Arabian team Al Nassr where he is currently earning 200 million per year while he was formerly earning 26 million at his former team, Manchester United.

2029 Winter Olympics

2034 football world cup.

smart power + case study

Combination of the hard power coercion and payment with the soft power persuasion and attraction.

us provision to ukraine

sovereignty

a state’s independence, its control over territory, and its ability to govern itself.

legitimacy

actor or action being commonly considered acceptable, forming the fundamental basis of governance and authority.

interdependence

mutual reliance between and among groups, organizations and states in terms of economic, security, or environmental needs.

advantages and disadvantages of using hard power

• Advantage:

  • Quick outcome

• Disadvantages:

  • Damages legitimacy

  • Can provoke resistance or backlash.

  • High economic and human costs.

advantages and disadvantages of using soft power

• Advantages:

  • Builds long-term alliances + positive image

• Disadvantages:

  • Slower outcome

  • harder to measure.

advantages and disadvantages of using smart power

• Advantages:

  • avoids the limitations of hard power alone

• Disadvantages:

  • costly to implement.

  • may not achieve full intended results

economic power

• Actor's use of bribes, aid or sanctions or coerce another actor into specific behavior, or a state's leverage through its economic capabilities.

  

cultural power

• Ability of an actors to shape knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom and any other capabilities and habits acquired as a member of society. (soft power)

  

4 Challenges to State Sovereignty (ability to govern)

Influence/interference from other states

Foreign governments directly or indirectly violating another state’s political independence or territorial integrity

Supranationalism

When states transfer authority to higher bodies, limiting their own independent decision-making to pursue common goals.

Humanitarian Intervention

Foreign military action to prevent mass atrocities or human rights violations, often without full permission from the host state.

Transnational Corporations

Global companies whose influence can rival or surpass that of states, particularly in weak or dependent economies.

challenge to sovereignty - Influence/interference from other states (case study)

Feb 2022, Russia invasion of Ukraine.

over 7 million people were displaced internally 6 million refugees fled the country, refugees

Russia controls approximately 20% of Ukraine

400,000 ukrainian casualties.

challenge to sovereignty - Supranationalism (case study)

2016, 52% of UK voters chose to leave the EU in a national referendum

Inability to make independent trade deals

2015 immigration increased to over 270,000 in a single year.

challenge to sovereignty - Humanitarian Intervention (case study)

2011, NATO military intervention in Libya, stop government violence against civilians during the Arab Spring uprising.

Muammar Gaddafi, had threatened mass killings, especially in Benghazi.

led to death of Gaddafi, collapsing Libya’s central government.

2023, Libya had over 3.4 million people needing humanitarian assistance

national elections or stable government for over 13 years

challenge to sovereignty - Transnational Corporations (case study)

2017, the US passed the Tax Cuts Act

reducing the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%

powerful TNCs can shape national tax laws in their favor.

Amazon paid just 1.2% in federal taxes in 2019

4 Challenges to state/government Legitimacy

• Political, economic and social instability

• Inability to govern effectively

• Excessive use of force and threats

• Violence, oppression, human rights violations

challenge to state/government legitimacy - Political, economic and social instability (case study)

DRC 2023, violence in North Kivu by M23 armed group displaced over 7 million people, gaining territory and overwhelming government forces.

GDP per capita at $577

64% of the population living below poverty line

flooding in South Kivu in May of 2023 has destroyed over 3,000 homes

challenge to state/government legitimacy - Inability to govern effectively (case study)

Taliban seized Kabul in August 2021, the elected Afghan government collapsed.

banned secondary and university education for girls in December 2022

Afghan economy decreased by over 30%

2/3 of population required humanitarian aid

Taliban regime is not formally recognized by any state.

challenge to state/government legitimacy - Excessive use of force and threats (case study)

Feb 2014 annexation of Crimea

30,000 troops deployed

Over 20,000 people arrested for anti-war protests between 2022 and 2023

challenge to state/government legitimacy - Violence, oppression, human rights violations (case study)

Syria chemical weapons attack on Ghouta in 2013, in order to weaken opposition which killed over 1,400 civilians.

May 2023, Syria was readmitted to the Arab League after 12 years of suspension.

UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic ties

UN + influence

United Nations

Intergovernmental organization with 193 member states, focused on peace, security, development, and human rights.

STRENGTHS

Legitimacy, peacekeeping, soft power

LIMITATIONS

Veto power, slow action

ICC + Influence

International Criminal Court (individuals)

STRENGTHS:

Norm-setting, justice enforcement

LIMITATIONS:

limited enforcement, limited reach

IMF + Influence

International Monetary Fund - provides financial assistance in large loans for crisis faced countries

STRENGTHS:

economic influence, crisis support

LIMITATIONS:

does not always fix the problem, not all funding is paid back.

ASEAN + Influence

Association of Southeast Asian Nations - promote cooperation, peace and trade

STRENGTHS:

(up above)

LIMITATIONS:

weak enforcement, diverging goals between states limits cooperation.