HL Extension: Global political challenges (Paper 3) practice questions.

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.

'Climate migration' most accurately refers to:

• Movement of people driven by environmental change: drought, flooding, sea-level rise
• The seasonal migration of workers for agricultural harvests
• The relocation of polluting factories to countries with much weaker environmental laws
• The movement of climate scientists between research institutions

Answer: Movement of people driven by environmental change: drought, flooding, sea-level rise

Climate migrants often fall outside the legal definition of 'refugee', creating a governance gap since the 1951 Refugee Convention does not cover environmental displacement.

'Conditionality' in the context of the IMF and World Bank refers to:

• Policy reforms a borrowing state must adopt to receive loans or debt relief
• The requirement that member states hold democratic elections
• The condition that aid must be spent only on food and medicine
• The rule that loans are only offered to developed economies

Answer: Policy reforms a borrowing state must adopt to receive loans or debt relief

Conditionality (e.g. structural adjustment programmes) is controversial: critics argue austerity and privatisation conditions can deepen poverty and undermine sovereignty.

Which statement best captures a central debate about 'aid effectiveness'?

• Whether aid reduces poverty or fosters dependency and corruption
• Whether aid should be delivered by plane or by ship
• Whether aid is more colourful than trade
• Whether wealthy donor states should be allowed to give any aid at all

Answer: Whether aid reduces poverty or fosters dependency and corruption

Critics like Dambisa Moyo argue aid can entrench dependency; defenders point to health and education gains. Distinguish humanitarian from development aid.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is best described as:

• A UN specialised agency coordinating international public health
• A private multinational pharmaceutical company that sells medicines
• A military alliance that responds to biological weapons
• A regional trade bloc focused on medical exports

Answer: A UN specialised agency coordinating international public health

As an IGO the WHO sets standards and coordinates responses but depends on member states for funding and compliance, limiting its enforcement power, a key point about IGO effectiveness.

Which document is the key international standard specifically affirming the rights of indigenous peoples?

• The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
• The Geneva Conventions
• The Kyoto Protocol
• The post-war Bretton Woods international monetary system agreement

Answer: The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)

UNDRIP (2007) affirms rights to self-determination, land, culture, and free, prior and informed consent. It is a declaration, so it is not legally binding, a point about soft vs hard law.