The IB Global Politics course is an engaging and intellectually challenging subject that allows students to explore complex political ideas and real-world issues. Whether you’re in Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL), having well-organized, concept-driven notes is essential for navigating the course and excelling in assessments.
In this article, we will guide you through how to structure your IB Global Politics notes, what key concepts to cover, how to build high-quality case studies, and how to effectively use your notes for Internal Assessment (IA) and final exams.
Why Good Notes Matter in IB Global Politics
Global Politics is not about memorizing dates and events; it’s about understanding relationships, power structures, ideologies, and the dynamics between states, individuals, and global organizations. Notes should do more than summarize content—they should help you analyze, compare, and critically evaluate.
Good notes will:
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Help you identify patterns across different case studies
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Allow quick revision of concepts and definitions
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Serve as a base for essay outlines and exam responses
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Make connections between theory and current events
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Support your Engagement Activity and HL extension topics (for HL students)
How to Structure Your IB Global Politics Notes
To keep your notes effective and revision-ready, consider dividing them by core units, key concepts, and case studies. Here’s a recommended structure:
1. Key Political Concepts
Start by listing and defining the 16 key concepts outlined in the IB syllabus. These include:
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Power
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Sovereignty
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Legitimacy
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Interdependence
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Human Rights
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Justice
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Development
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Globalization
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Inequality
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Sustainability
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Peace
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Conflict
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Violence
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Liberty
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Order
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Security
For each concept:
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Write a clear definition in your own words
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Add 1–2 real-world examples
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Note how the concept is connected to others
2. Core Units
Organize your notes by the four core units of the Global Politics course:
Unit 1: Power, Sovereignty, and International Relations
Key questions to explore in your notes:
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What is state sovereignty and how is it changing?
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What are the roles of international organizations like the UN, WTO, or ICC?
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How does power operate in a globalized world?
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What is the difference between hard power, soft power, and smart power?
Case Study Suggestions:
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US-China power dynamics
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Russia’s involvement in Ukraine
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NATO and its changing role
Unit 2: Human Rights
Important areas to cover:
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Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
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Tension between cultural relativism and universalism
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Human rights enforcement mechanisms
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Key human rights violations and case studies
Include case studies like:
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Uyghur minority in China
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Refugee rights at the US-Mexico border
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Gender rights in Afghanistan or Iran
Unit 3: Development
Your notes should address:
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Definitions of development (economic, human, sustainable)
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Indicators of development (HDI, Gini index, gender equality index)
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Development theories (modernization theory, dependency theory)
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The role of aid, trade, and international institutions
Strong case study ideas:
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India’s growth and challenges in inclusive development
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Sustainable development in Costa Rica
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Post-conflict development in Rwanda
Unit 4: Peace and Conflict
Focus your notes on:
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Definitions of peace and conflict (positive vs negative peace)
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Causes of conflict
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Conflict resolution and peacebuilding strategies
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Role of international peacekeeping
Relevant case studies:
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Israel-Palestine conflict
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Peacebuilding in South Sudan
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Truth and reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa
Notes for HL Global Political Challenges (HL Only)
If you’re in HL, include notes on two of the six global political challenges (as required):
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Environment
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Health
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Poverty
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Borders
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Identity
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Security
For each, document:
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Theoretical frameworks (e.g., neoliberalism, realism)
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Stakeholders (states, NGOs, IGOs, MNCs)
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Detailed case studies with evidence and context
For example, under Borders, you might study:
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Migration policies in the EU
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U.S. border wall and immigration policy
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Rohingya refugee crisis
Make sure your HL notes are in-depth and link consistently back to the key concepts.
Internal Assessment Notes: Engagement Activity
For your Engagement Activity, you’ll need to:
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Choose a political experience (like attending a rally, volunteering with an NGO, or interviewing a local policymaker)
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Reflect on the experience using political theories and concepts
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Produce a 2,000-word write-up
Your notes should include:
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Initial ideas and potential activities
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Political concepts relevant to your chosen issue
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Stakeholders involved
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Reflective insights from your experience
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Connections to coursework and case studies
Keeping organized notes throughout this process makes writing the final IA much easier and more insightful.
Study and Essay Planning Notes
As you prepare for your exams, create a section in your notebook or digital file that includes:
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Essay outlines (with thesis, arguments, evidence, counterarguments, and conclusion)
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Definitions of frequently used command terms (e.g., evaluate, compare, assess)
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Sample questions from past papers
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Practice paragraph writing using the PEEL structure (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link)
Use these notes as quick-reference tools for timed practice and mock exams.
Best Practices for Note-Taking
To make your notes genuinely useful:
1. Be Active, Not Passive
Don’t just copy from the textbook or slides. Summarize, ask questions, and rephrase concepts in your own words.
2. Keep Them Organized
Use folders (digital or physical) for each unit and highlight key terms. Use bold or underlining for concepts and colored highlights for case studies.
3. Update Notes Regularly
Global Politics is a living subject. Keep your notes current by updating them with recent events or developments. For instance, note the latest updates in conflict zones, UN resolutions, or shifts in global alliances.
4. Make Flashcards for Key Concepts
Flashcards—digital or physical—are great for revising definitions, stakeholders, and indicators. Use spaced repetition apps like Anki to retain information over time.
5. Link Concepts Across Units
Global Politics is highly interconnected. Draw arrows or mind maps showing how sovereignty relates to conflict, or how globalization affects development.
Final Thoughts
Creating effective IB Global Politics notes is not just about organization—it’s about building an understanding of the world through a political lens. Your notes should evolve alongside your knowledge and curiosity. They should help you think critically, argue persuasively, and write analytically.
This course rewards students who stay engaged, who reflect on real-world issues with depth, and who approach topics from multiple perspectives. Well-crafted notes are your personal textbook—designed for the way you think and the way you learn.
Whether you’re revising for your exams or preparing your IA or HL presentation, invest time in your notes. They’ll be the most powerful study tool you have.
