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The 2026 IB Global politics HL extension topics are:
The 2026 IB Global politics HL extension topics are:
Borders
Equality
Environment
Health
Identity
Poverty
Security
Technology
HL students must research at least two different case studies and on at least two different topic areas.
It is possible to have one case study that relates to only one topic or two topics.
Some example case studies are:
Borders and security: A fight for border security: Greece's illegal use of pushbacks in 2019-2022
Health and equality: Targets, policies and administration: how has equal access to healthcare changed in Shanghai, China between 2014 and 2024?
Environment and security: Energy security versus biodiversity: hydroelectric dams in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Technology and identity: The fight for gender neutral recognition on passports in the European Union
Assessment guide
Assessment guide
Paper 3 (1 hour 30 minutes)
Stimulus-based paper related to the HL extension syllabus (global political challenges). This means it has one source.
Candidates must respond to three questions drawing from their researched case studies.
The paper is 28 marks and is 30% of your final grade.
Question 1 - 3 marks
Question 2 (a) 4 marks, (b) 6 marks
Question 3 - 15 marks
This paper is new but the assessment criteria are fixed. This is why it's important you familiarise yourself with them and practice answering using different case studies.
Assessment guide Paper 3.pdfPaper 3 Global politics guide
Paper 3 Global politics guide
Click to see the Research process method from the IB Global politics subject guide
Click to see the Research process method from the IB Global politics subject guide
Sources
Sources
Students’ research can be based on primary and secondary material, although the emphasis is likely to be on secondary sources.
Newspaper, magazine and journal articles, books, carefully selected websites, images and audiovisual materials are all valid secondary sources.
Good research practice requires that the sources represent a balance of views.
- Background, data and political issues
What data exist on the case, how valid are the data analysed, and to what extent are the data contestable?
Who are the principal actors and stakeholders?
What is happening?
Which terms are central to understanding the case?
What are the indicators that this case can be understood as part of global political challenges?
Which other similar cases are relevant to understanding this case?
Which political issues manifest themselves in the case?
2. Causes of, impact of and responses to the political issue
2. Causes of, impact of and responses to the political issue
What factors are causing this situation?
What are the political, social and economic impacts of the issue at various levels of global politics on various actors and stakeholders?
What are the responses to the issue at various levels of global politics by various actors and stakeholders?
How do interpretations of the issue vary by actor and stakeholder?
What considerations influence how the issue will play out?
3. Reflection
3. Reflection
How can I use the key concepts, theories, ideas and examples I have learned in the course to analyse this case and political issue?
Which wider issues or developments in global politics are relevant in understanding this case?
What is the particular significance of this case?
What other interpretations of or points of view on the case are possible?
Example Case Study 1: Security, Poverty and Technology- Piracy in Somalia
Example Case Study 1: Security, Poverty and Technology- Piracy in Somalia
Policy cards Somalia.pptxPolicy cards
Policy cards
Documentary
Documentary
Preparing for Paper 3 Global politics
Preparing for Paper 3 Global politics
The IB course guide provides six guiding inquiry questions that will form the basis of Paper 3.
What connections can be established between the global political challenge(s) and the core topics?
What connections can be established between the global political challenge(s) and the thematic studies?
To what extent are the global political challenges interconnected? What are some of the links in how they are studied and/or addressed?
How are the global political challenges perceived and addressed in different contexts?
What are some of the frameworks, systems, organizations and mechanisms put in place for addressing global political challenges?
How can looking at specific cases from different topic areas change the way global political challenges are perceived or addressed?
To prepare for the exam you should:
Step 1: produce 2-3 case studies.
Step 2: Using the syllabus and your case studies, complete these six preparatory activities. You can think of these as essay planning prompts. You will find some of them easier and some of them more challenging. Since you will not have a choice of questions on the exam it's important that you prepare all six.
Plan 4 Contexts.pdfPlan 4: Across contexts
Plan 4: Across contexts
Plan 5 Frames.pdfPlan 5: Frames
Plan 5: Frames
Plan 6 Perceived and addressed.pdfPlan 6: Compare the GPCs
Plan 6: Compare the GPCs
Teacher advice on the six guiding questions
Teacher advice on the six guiding questions
What connections can be established between the global political challenge(s) and the core topics?
It is possible the question would name a specific core topic, for example: power.
What connections can be established between the global political challenge(s) and the thematic studies?
It is unlikely the question would name a specific section of prescribed content, for example: peacekeeping from box 3 of Peace and conflict thematic study. This is because students are encouraged to choose their own case studies and do not have to cover the whole course within them.
To what extent are the global political challenges interconnected? What are some of the links in how they are studied and/or addressed?
This two-part question is broad. It clearly refers to multiple GPCs.
How are the global political challenges perceived and addressed in different contexts?
I think this is the hardest question to break down. You could interpret it as looking at how a GPC is perceived and addressed either in different places or at different scales. For example:
The response to COVID-19 in two different countries.
The response to COVID-19 in rural and area areas of one named country.
The response to COVID-19 by local, national and international institutions.
Note the question says global political challenges plural which suggests students would be asked to discuss multiple topic areas.
What are some of the frameworks, systems, organizations and mechanisms put in place for addressing global political challenges?
This question is drawn from core topic 1: framing global politics.
How can looking at specific cases from different topic areas change the way global political challenges are perceived or addressed?
This question is similar to question 4 but puts the case study at the centre. For example, how do we understand the strength of international law based on two case studies and what does it teach us about how we should address challenges to borders and security?
Practice papers
Practice papers
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