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If you're wondering about the structure and questions you may encounter in the IB Global Politics Paper 2, you're in the right place! In this post, we’ll provide a thorough breakdown of IB Global Politics Paper 2, ensuring you are familiarised with the structure of the exam and know what type of questions to expect.
IB Global Politics Paper 2
- At SL, Paper 2 accounts for 40% of the student's subject grade.
- At HL, it is worth 30% of the final grade.
- Both SL and HL students have 1 hour 30 minutes to complete Paper 2.
- Paper is an essay-based Paper.
- Paper 2 is made up extended response questions based on prescribed content from the thematic studies.
- Students answer two questions: one focused on a particular thematic study, and one integrating question that draws links across
the thematic studies as well as the core topics.
For the first thematic study question, students may encounter questions like these:
Rights and Justice
Discuss the extent to which cultural relativism can be used to justify different concepts of human rights.
Development and sustainability
Discuss the view that sustainable development will never be achieved until state and non-state actors can be persuaded or forced to act in the common interest.
Peace and conflict
Peacebuilding is arguably more important than peacemaking, yet it is given much less funding and attention. To what extent do you agree with this claim?
For the second integrating question, students may encounter questions that look like these:
To what extent does the pursuit of state sovereignty undermine both human rights and sustainable development?
To what extent can legitimacy and accountability be maintained when international organizations intervene in both conflict zones and development projects?
In a globalized world, is the concept of national interest compatible with the promotion of global justice and peace?
How to succeed in Paper 2
To do well in Paper 2, it’s important that your responses are clearly written, logically structured, and make consistent use of political terminology. Begin by defining key concepts in your introduction to show a strong grasp of the syllabus and create a solid foundation for your argument.
In your analysis you should evaluate political issues using real-world examples, such as case studies and the actions of different actors (states, IGOs, NGOs, social movements etc.). Make sure to always ask yourself why a situation is politically significant and how it connects to the key themes of the course.
To show critical thinking, engage with different perspectives and include counterarguments where relevant. Make sure to also offer your own personal judgment as this helps tie your argument together and shows depth of understanding.
Also, one of the most effective ways to prepare for Paper 1 is by practicing past papers under timed, exam-like conditions. This helps you get comfortable with the structure and strengthens your skill in answering exactly what the question is asking within the time limit. After each attempt, make sure to review your responses and identify areas for improvement.
We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify.
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