
20 Global Politics IA Ideas (with examples)
Kickstart your IB Global Politics IA with 20 out-of-the-box engagement activity ideas. Learn how to link your research to key concepts and succeed in the IB.
20 Engaging Global Politics IA Ideas
The Global Politics IA, also known as the Engagement Activity, is a fantastic opportunity to explore beyond the classroom and directly involve yourself in your community! However, this doesn't mean you can't look at broader issues not directly related to your immediate surroundings. For example, you could delve into different dimensions of inequality and link that back to an NGO working on similar aspects near you.
The main thing to remember is to link your research question back to the key concepts you've studied in the course. This means the possibilities are endless, allowing you to have tons of fun while meaningfully engaging with the world around you. However, this can also feel overwhelming at first. To help you get started, here's a list of 20 out-of-the-box IA ideas to kickstart your brainstorming!
This list is by no means exhaustive; think of it as a source of inspiration!
Engagement Activity Ideas
- Does the nature and quality of democracy have an impact on the representation and participation of minority groups in politics?
- How do state and non-state actors collaborate with each other to achieve Sustainable Development Goals?
- To what extent does Germany’s Federal Court of Justice’s ruling allowing hearings cases about abuses of international law committed outside of Germany showcase the strengths and weaknesses of international law?
- Is soft power an important tool that can be utilised in the growing environmental movement?
- Does the plight of a country’s civil society have an effect on development on local as well as national levels?
- To what extent do NGOs have the responsibility to safeguard women’s rights in a conflict zone during a military intervention?
- Has the advent of globalisation enhanced the working of NGOs or caused the emergence of too many stakeholders hindering the process?
- To what extent does the upcoming energy crisis have an impact on the relationship between the Bundesländer and the Bundesrat?
- Should NGOs be allowed to challenge cultural norms in the interest of safeguarding human rights?
- To what extent are national elections in India fought on the grounds of foreign policy?
- How does the national legislature of a country affect the commitments of MNCs toward its Corporate social responsibility?
- Do cultural norms of a country have an effect on the comprehensiveness of sex education campaigns in schools?
- What is the impact of local NGOs in recycling e-waste in (your particular city)?
- Do IGOs have a responsibility to protect the rights of migrant workers in Qatar?
- Does the civil society in Europe have an impact on the integration process of refugees and immigrants?
- How do local and international NGOs work hand in hand to prevent sex trafficking?
- Does political awareness have an impact on the choice of consumption of products?
- How does the UK government’s decision to not participate in the Erasmus+ scheme post Brexit affect European students in the EU?
- Do WTO regulations have an impact on a country’s cottage industries?
- Has the EU Health Programme had an impact on uplifting the quality of access to medical facilities in Romania?

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The Global Politics Engagement Activity, often referred to as the IA, is a unique opportunity for IB students to explore global political issues beyond the classroom. It encourages direct involvement in your community or a broader engagement with global challenges, allowing you to link real-world experiences with the key concepts learned in the course.
Choosing a topic should ideally stem from your personal interests and allow for meaningful engagement. Look for issues that resonate with you, whether local or global, and consider how they connect to the core concepts of the Global Politics course. Brainstorming from lists of ideas, like the one provided in this guide, can be a great starting point, but always aim to make it your own.
Absolutely! The Engagement Activity is designed to allow you to get directly involved in your community. You can explore local issues, such as the impact of local NGOs, community initiatives, or political participation, and then link these back to broader global politics concepts and theories. This often makes for a more personal and impactful investigation.
Linking your Engagement Activity to the key concepts of the Global Politics course is fundamental for demonstrating your understanding of the subject and achieving high marks. It elevates your personal experience into an academic investigation, showing how real-world events exemplify or challenge theoretical frameworks. This connection is what transforms your engagement into a rigorous academic piece.
Common pitfalls include choosing a topic that is too broad or too narrow, failing to clearly link the activity to Global Politics concepts, insufficient personal engagement, or a weak research question. It's crucial to plan carefully, seek feedback, and ensure your analysis is deep and critical. If you're feeling overwhelmed, seeking expert guidance can help you navigate these challenges effectively.
Our expert Lanterna tutors, many of whom are 40+ point IB graduates, experienced teachers, or even examiners, can provide invaluable support for your Global Politics IA. They can help you refine your research question, ensure strong links to course concepts, structure your investigation, enhance your analysis, and guide you through the entire process to maximise your marks, all while upholding academic honesty.
The Lanterna free IB consultation is a no-pressure, 20-30 minute chat with one of our expert IB Student Success Experts. For your Global Politics IA, they can help you clarify your ideas, brainstorm potential topics, refine your research question, and outline a clear plan of action. You'll walk away with a personalised strategy and clear next steps, with zero obligation to book tutoring.
Yes, the Lanterna IB consultation is completely free, with no hidden costs or obligation to purchase tutoring. It's a 20-30 minute session with an IB Student Success Expert designed to give you clarity on your IB journey. You can discuss your Global Politics IA, other subjects, or any IB-related concerns, and receive a simple, personalised plan for what to focus on next.
Lanterna's Student Success Experts are highly experienced IB advisors, often former high-achieving IB students or educators themselves. They understand the IB journey inside out and are there to provide guidance, help you identify your priorities, and connect you with the right resources or tutors if you decide further support is needed. They are your first point of contact for personalised IB advice.
Absolutely! Lanterna offers expert tutoring and support across all IB subjects at both Standard and Higher Level, including Extended Essays, TOK, exam preparation, and general study strategies. Our free consultation can help you build a holistic study plan, identify areas where you might need support, and ensure you're on track for success across your entire IB Diploma Programme.
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