Have you searched widely for information on Global Politics Extended Essay topics but came out empty? Or maybe you found scanty information and you need more ideas to supplement what you already know?
This guide is for you.
Global Politics in EE has terminologies, theories, and concepts that are specific to the subject. So to write a successful essay in this area, you must be familiar with these aspects. In practice, it makes sense to write an essay in this subject only if you’re studying Global Politics at SL and HL.
IB’s Advice on Global Politics Extended Essay
Before we go any further, it’s important to understand what IB requires you to do as far as the Global Politics subject is concerned.
First, the topic you choose must deal with a political issue, which IB defines as a question that investigates the distribution and operation of power within a social organization.
Second, your selected topic has to be within your lifetime. You may refer to historical events, but the primary focus should be on contemporary events.
How to Choose a Global Politics Extended Essay Topic
To do well on your EE in Global Politics, you need to identify a specific research issue that you can investigate and address thoroughly in under 4,000 words.
Therefore, you should narrow your emphasis from a wide area of interest to a specific topic before attempting to write a research question.
10+ Global Politics Extended Essay Topics
The following are some examples of Global Politics EE topics:
- The importance of the International Criminal Court to a global human rights framework, and how well it performs its duties
- The ‘burkini’ and lacité in modern France: an exploration of their connection
- The effect of Bengal’s ready-made clothing trade on the rights of its employees
- Examining the relationship between the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean and the rise of nationalism and populism in modern Europe
- The FARC Peace Treaty of 2016 strikes a delicate balance between the goals of peacemaking and democracy.
- The implications of cryptocurrency for the authority of states
- To what extent do you think CIGIG has helped Guatemalan authorities tighten their grip on power?
- Explore the benefits and drawbacks of constructing a strong wall along the United States’ southern border with Mexico.
- Examining why LGBT individuals in the United States don’t have the same protections as the general population
- Is there any data on how the legalization of dispensaries in California altered patronage patterns?
- Explain the circumstances that led to Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 presidential election.
- What impact do negative perceptions of Asian Americans have on their career prospects?
- How can countries in Sub-Saharan Africa eventually become self-sufficient?
- What prevented Germany from forming a republic before and during WWII?
- Is there anything Aristotle would have to say about the world as it is today?
- How does Michel Foucault’s Discipline and Punishment account for the rise of Western penal systems?
- When compared to nearby countries, why does yours experience a higher rate of terrorist attacks?
- Examples of the differences between representational democracy and participatory democracy
- The prediction for the political and economic state of the United States in the next half-century
- Conflict resolution in the Middle East: Is it military intervention or diplomatic negotiation?
- To what extent should the government regulate human cloning?
- What would you alter, if anything, in the United States Constitution and why?
- How can we encourage more people to cast ballots in upcoming elections?
- Why do African countries have such difficulty applying the rule of law and prosecuting corrupt leaders?
How to Write a Research Question for IB Global Politics EE
To complete an EE in Global Politics, you will need to hone your topic into a research question that you can investigate and answer within the scope of the assignment.
Here are the steps to follow:
1. Find a Topic
Look at the topic ideas we’ve provided above and consider an area that interests you. We strongly recommend picking a topic you’re interested in, so you can keep yourself engaged throughout the planning and writing process.
2. Do Preliminary Research
Spare enough to research your topic. By the time you’re through with this stage, you’ll have a clear idea whether you can investigate the topic in question and write exhaustively within the 4,000 words limit.
Some questions that can help you get this done faster are:
- Are there any materials about the topic already in existence?
- Are the sources of information for the topic easy to find?
- How many types of sources are out there?
- Are there different points of view on the topic?
3. Pose Some Open-ended Questions
Now that you’ve completed your preliminary reading, write down some open-ended questions related to your topic.
Feel free to use terms such as “to what extent”, “how” or “why”.
4. Evaluate Your Questions
After brainstorming potential research questions, you should assess them using the following questions:
- Do I need to elaborate on the scope of my study for the reader?
- Is the inquiry narrow enough to answer in the allotted space and time?
- Does the research question allow for review, analysis, and the construction of a logical argument?
5. Consider the Direction Your Investigation Might Take
The last step is to brainstorm potential future avenues of the research question.
- What type of argument will you make?
- How will you back it up with evidence?
These are all things to think about while you conduct your research.
Conclusion
You can use primary sources, secondary sources, or a combination of the two to support your EE in Global Politics. However, keep in mind that the utilization of secondary data requires you to be confident in your ability to evaluate the sources you consult.
Keep in mind that an EE in Global Politics not only require a thorough familiarity with the concepts and frameworks of Global Politics, but also the ability to use this knowledge in the construction and defense of an argument.
If you’re interested in taking a more theoretical approach to political issues, you may examine the central concepts of global politics in a manner more grounded in academic debates. If you’re interested in the statistics that underpin decisions and perceptions in global politics, you can undertake more comprehensive data analysis.