Global Politics Unit 3: Global Actors

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this unit.

Course Description

This unit considers the key global actors in twenty-first century global politics, including their aims, roles and power. Students develop an understanding of key actors through an in-depth examination of the concepts of national interest and power as they relate to the state, and the way in which one Asia-Pacific state uses power within the region to achieve its objectives.

Areas of Study

Global Actors

Key terms: nation, state, sovereignty, power, global governance, multilateralism, globalisation.
Aims, roles and power of states.
Impact on state sovereignty of regional groupings, contested borders and issues that require multilateral resolution.
Intergovernmental organisations: the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the International Criminal Court.
Aims, roles and power of two non-state actors chosen from human rights organisations, environmental organisations, organised religions, global terrorist movements.
Aims, roles and power of one transnational corporation.

Power in the Asia-Pacific

Key terms: sovereignty, national interest, power, security, idealism, pragmatism.
Factors shaping China’s national interests.
Differing interpretations of China’s national interest.
Types of power.
The main foreign policy instruments used by China to try and achieve national interests.

Assessment

Outcomes	Assessment Tasks	Marks Allocated
Outcomes	(school-assessed coursework)	Marks Allocated
Evaluate the power of key global actors and assess the extent to which they achieve their aims and are able to challenge state sovereignty.	Short answer test and/or essay.	50
Analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of the use of various types of power by a specific Asia-Pacific state in the in pursuit of its national interests.	Short answer test and/or essay.	50
Total Marks		100

Overall Final Assessment

Graded Assessment	Title	Assessment	Exam Duration	Contribution to Study Score (%)
1	Unit 3 Coursework	School-assessed		25
2	Unit 4 Coursework	School-assessed		25
3	Written Examination	November	2 hours	50