IB Global Politics practice questions.

Which term describes power exercised through military threats or economic sanctions to coerce an actor?

• Hard power
• Soft power
• Smart power
• Cultural power

Answer: Hard power

Hard power uses coercion (military force, economic pressure). Joseph Nye contrasts it with soft power's attraction.

The claim that human rights cannot be taken away or surrendered describes which characteristic?

• Inalienable
• Universal
• Indivisible
• Interdependent

Answer: Inalienable

Inalienable means rights are inherent to being human and cannot be legitimately removed; universal means they apply to everyone.

Which indicator measures income inequality within a country on a scale from 0 to 1?

• Gini coefficient
• GDP per capita
• Human Development Index
• Inflation rate

Answer: Gini coefficient

The Gini coefficient ranges from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (maximum inequality); higher values mean greater inequality.

Johan Galtung's term for violence built into unjust social structures, such as poverty or discrimination, is what?

• Structural violence
• Direct violence
• Cultural violence
• Retributive violence

Answer: Structural violence

Structural violence harms people indirectly through unequal institutions; direct violence is a visible physical act.

Which principle in international climate agreements holds that developed and developing states have different levels of obligation to address climate change?

• Common but differentiated responsibilities
• The precautionary principle
• The polluter-pays principle
• The customary principle of non-intervention in domestic affairs

Answer: Common but differentiated responsibilities

CBDR recognises that developed states contributed most historical emissions and have greater capacity, so they carry heavier obligations. It is central to the UNFCCC framework.

In Global Politics Paper 1, which question requires you to compare AND contrast what two sources reveal about a political issue?

• Question 1
• Question 2
• Question 3
• Question 4

Answer: Question 3

Question 3 (8 marks) asks you to compare and contrast two named sources, identifying both similarities and differences in a running, integrated analysis.