IB Global Politics Guide | First Assessment 2026

Navigating the New Global Politics Course: Concepts, Challenges, and the Engagement Project

Q: What is the primary focus of the Global Politics Engagement Project?

The Engagement Project focuses on active, experiential learning outside the classroom. You will research a political issue that you feel passionate about in a place you are personally connected to. This involves documentary research, direct engagement with stakeholders (such as government officials, NGOs, or community members), and writing a report that analyses the dynamics of power related to your chosen issue.

Q: Is there new content for the HL course compared to SL?

There is no additional prescribed content for HL. Instead, HL differentiation is achieved through extended independent inquiries (80 hours) where you conduct research into global political challenges across eight topic areas: Borders, Environment, Equality, Health, Identity, Poverty, Security, and Technology. You must cover at least two different topic areas using at least two different case studies.

Q: What are integrating questions in Paper 2?

Integrating questions appear in Section B of Paper 2 and require you to synthesize and make connections across two or more of the three thematic studies (Rights and Justice, Development and Sustainability, Peace and Conflict) while applying the four core concepts. These questions test your ability to see the bigger picture and draw meaningful links between different areas of the syllabus.

Q: What is the word count for the HL Engagement Project Recommendation?

The HL recommendation must be presented as a separate section in addition to the 2,000-word report. It has a maximum of 400 words and should propose a course of action to address the political issue you investigated, supported by further research beyond your main report.

Q: How has the 2026 syllabus changed from the previous version?

The 2026 syllabus reduced the number of key concepts from sixteen to four (Power, Sovereignty, Legitimacy, Interdependence). The HL oral presentation has been replaced by Paper 3, a stimulus-based exam. The thematic studies have been renamed (Human Rights is now Rights and Justice; Development is now Development and Sustainability). Two new HL topic areas have been added: Technology and Equality.

Q: What case studies should I choose for the HL extension?

Select case studies that genuinely interest you and allow you to explore interconnections between global political challenges. For example, you might examine healthcare access in a developing country (linking Health and Equality) or renewable energy policy affecting indigenous communities (linking Environment and Identity). Your case studies should be contemporary, well-documented, and allow for analysis using the four core concepts.

Q: How should I prepare for Paper 3 (HL only)?

Paper 3 is a stimulus-based examination where you respond to questions using knowledge from your independently researched case studies. Prepare by thoroughly knowing your case studies, practising how to apply the six guiding inquiry questions, and being ready to make connections between your cases and the broader course content. The exam tests your ability to use specific evidence to support conceptual analysis.

Q: Can Bespoke Learning help with Global Politics?

Yes. Our humanities tutors provide comprehensive support for IB Global Politics, including concept exploration, essay structuring, Engagement Project planning, case study development for HL, and exam preparation. We help you build the analytical skills and real-world knowledge that examiners reward.

Master the revised 2026 syllabus with expert strategies for the Engagement Project, HL extension, and exam papers.

Core Concepts

Thematic Studies

HL Topic Areas

240

HL Teaching Hours

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What's New in the Global Politics Course?

The IB Global Politics course challenges you to understand the complexities of power, agency, and contemporary world issues from local to global scales. The revised syllabus (First Assessment 2026) emphasises inquiry-based learning, conceptual understanding, and active engagement through new assessment components and a highly flexible structure.

Whether you are studying at Standard Level or Higher Level, this guide will help you navigate the four core concepts, three thematic studies, and the distinctive Engagement Project that sets Global Politics apart from other humanities subjects.

Key Changes for 2026

The updated syllabus introduces significant changes to both content and assessment.

Syllabus Structure

Key concepts reduced from 16 to 4 for deeper analysis

Thematic studies renamed and integrated with core topics

Two new HL topic areas: Technology and Equality

Emphasis on contemporary examples (past two decades)

Assessment Changes

HL oral presentation replaced by Paper 3

Paper 3: stimulus-based exam using your case studies

IA renamed "Engagement Project" with HL recommendation

HL students receive 80 additional hours for extended inquiries

The Four Core Concepts

These concepts form the foundation of all analysis in Global Politics. Unlike the previous syllabus with 16 concepts, the 2026 course focuses deeply on these four.

Power

The ability to effect change or influence outcomes in political relations

Sovereignty

A state's independence and authority over its territory

Legitimacy

The accepted right to govern or exercise authority

Interdependence

Mutual reliance between states, organisations, and groups

Why the reduction matters

IB examiners found that students were often "name-checking" the 16 concepts without genuine analysis. The streamlined framework encourages you to engage more deeply with each concept and demonstrate genuine understanding in your essays and projects.

Three Thematic Studies

The common syllabus (125 teaching hours) is built around these interconnected themes. Paper 2 will test your knowledge across all three.

Rights and Justice

Codification, protection, and debates around human rights

Development and Sustainability

Measuring progress, reducing poverty, and environmental challenges

Peace and Conflict

Causes of conflict, peacebuilding, and reconciliation

Integrating your learning

The IB encourages an integrated approach rather than studying each theme in isolation. Look for connections: How do human rights debates (Rights and Justice) intersect with economic development (Development and Sustainability)? How do resource conflicts (Peace and Conflict) relate to environmental challenges? These connections will strengthen your Paper 2 Section B responses.

The Engagement Project (IA)

The internal assessment provides experiential learning, linking abstract concepts to real-world politics outside the classroom.

Standard Level Engagement Project

25 hours | 2,000 words | 30% weighting

What You Will Do

Identify a political issue you feel passionate about
Engage directly with stakeholders (interviews, events, organisations)
Analyse the dynamics of power in your chosen context
Write a report integrating primary and secondary research

Success Tips

Choose wisely: Select a genuine political issue, not just a service activity
Diverse perspectives: Engage with multiple stakeholders
Safety first: Follow ethical guidelines and protect confidentiality
Apply concepts: Connect your findings to the four core concepts

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Higher Level Only

The HL Extension: Global Political Challenges

HL students dedicate 80 additional hours to extended inquiries across eight global political challenges.

Borders

Migration, territorial disputes, and boundary politics

Environment

Climate action, biodiversity, and environmental governance

Equality

Gender, race, and socioeconomic disparities

Health

Global health systems and pandemic response

Identity

Nationalism, ethnicity, and cultural politics

Poverty

Economic inequality and development gaps

Security

Threats, defence, and international security

Technology

Digital governance, AI, and cyber politics

Case Study Requirements

You must research at least two different case studies covering at least two distinct topic areas. A single case study may address one or two topics, allowing you to explore interconnections.

Example case study combinations:

Health + Equality: Access to healthcare in Shanghai, China (2014-2024)
Environment + Security: Hydroelectric dams and biodiversity in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Technology + Identity: Gender-neutral passport recognition in the European Union

Examination Structure

Understanding the assessment components helps you allocate your study time effectively.

Paper	Level	Duration	Focus	Weighting
Paper 1	SL & HL	1h 15m	Source-based questions on core topics	SL: 30% \| HL: 20%
Paper 2	SL & HL	1h 45m	Extended essays on thematic studies	SL: 40% \| HL: 30%
Paper 3	HL Only	1h 30m	Stimulus-based using your case studies	HL: 30%
IA	SL & HL	25-35 hrs	Engagement Project	SL: 30% \| HL: 20%

SL Teaching Hours: 150

Syllabus Content125 hours
Engagement Project25 hours

HL Teaching Hours: 240

Syllabus Content125 hours
Engagement Project35 hours
HL Extension80 hours

Study Tips for Success

Practical strategies to help you excel in Global Politics.

Use Concepts as a Map

Approach the four core concepts not as definitions to memorise, but as analytical tools that highlight different aspects of any political situation. Ask: "Where does power lie here? Whose sovereignty is affected?"

Embrace Iteration

The learning process is iterative. Regularly revisit earlier topics as new case studies emerge or current events unfold. Your understanding of peace and conflict will deepen after studying development challenges.

Practice Critical Reflection

Examine your own positionality: how do your background, culture, and location shape your political views? Scrutinise biases in sources and media. This habit supports the principled and knowledgeable thinking examiners reward.

Evidence is Essential

For all extended responses (Papers 2 and 3, IA), claims must be supported by relevant and accurate knowledge. Build a bank of well-understood, contemporary case studies that you can apply flexibly across different questions.

How Bespoke Learning Can Help

Expert support tailored to the unique demands of IB Global Politics.

Experienced IB Humanities Tutors

Our tutors have deep expertise in IB Individuals and Societies subjects, with many holding advanced degrees in political science, international relations, and related fields.

Engagement Project Guidance

We help you identify meaningful political issues, design research methodologies, and structure your report to meet IB requirements and earn top marks.

Case Study Development

For HL students, we provide support in selecting and researching case studies that demonstrate interconnections between global political challenges.

Exam Strategy and Practice

Targeted preparation for source-based questions (Paper 1), extended responses (Paper 2), and stimulus-based analysis (Paper 3 for HL).

Current Affairs Integration

We help you connect course concepts to contemporary events, building the real-world examples that examiners reward in your responses.

Flexible Global Support

Online tutoring available 24/7 to accommodate students in any time zone, from New York to Dubai to Singapore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about IB Global Politics (First Assessment 2026)

What is the primary focus of the Global Politics Engagement Project?

Is there new content for the HL course compared to SL?

What are integrating questions in Paper 2?

What is the word count for the HL Engagement Project Recommendation?

How has the 2026 syllabus changed from the previous version?

What case studies should I choose for the HL extension?

How should I prepare for Paper 3 (HL only)?

Can Bespoke Learning help with Global Politics?

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