Global Politics - Paper 2 Essay Planning
123 GPOL
Thesis and Signposting:
Globalization harms, rather than benefits, the poor of the Global South. Discuss.
Yes, as globalisation in its current form is a system of oppression as opposed to one of development; it only benefits
the rich of the Global South and allows Global North countries to exploit the weakness of the South in such a way that
harms the population of these countries
Claim and Reasoning 1:
Globalisation allows economic
exploitation, as statistically the Global
South’s economies benefit from
globalisation, but the average person
sees little improvement in their lives
Key Concepts and Levels of Analysis 1
HDI, GDP, exploitation, Global North
Evidence 1a:
Shell in Nigeria
The energy company Shell has a
monopoly on oil extraction in parts of
Nigeria; the areas surrounding their
plants have been extensively
damaged by pollution and some
locals have had to move. They also
exploit local labour so they can pay
minimal wages and follow loose
safety standards
Evidence 1b:
Belt and Road Initiative
The B&RI is a global infrastructure
project initiated by China with the
stated goal of economically benefiting
both China and recipient countries.
However, China and Chinese
corporations receive substantial
influences in these countries due to
their reliance on them for
infrastructure and also is often
granted control over vital resources
QUESTION:
Counter-Claim and Reasoning 2:
Globalisation has created institutions
designed to benefit states of the
Global South so that they may
develop and improve the livelihoods
of their inhabitants
Key Concepts and Levels of Analysis 2
NGOs, Gini coefficient
Evidence 2a:
The IMF is an international financial
agency that is part of the UN which is
a major lender of money to Global
South states, providing them with
economic benefits and also
sponsoring efforts to improve their
institutions so there is more
economic participation and real
growth that will benefit the poor
Evidence 2b:
The International Red Cross/Crescent
Movement is a global movement of
various Red Cross/Crescent
organisations which work to provide
humanitarian aid to people suffering
from issues of health, starvation, etc.
in areas affected by economic
underdevelopment, war, natural
disasters, etc., which end up
disproportionately affecting the poor
of the Global South due to the
prevalence of these issues there
Claim or Counter and Reasoning 3:
While economic globalisation has
occurred, the other, arguably most
positive aspects of globalisation in
terms of political and cultural
globalisation simply do not take place
Key Concepts and Levels of Analysis 3
Authoritarianism, failed states
Evidence 3a:
China has fully integrated into the
neoliberal economic system
dominated by Global North countries,
and has closed the gap between itself
and these countries economically.
However, China is an increasingly
authoritarian state, opposing the
general suggestion that economic
development improves education,
living standards, etc. and therefore
the demand for democracy and the
expansion of freedoms (the poor
would be the most positively affected
by these changes)
Evidence 3b:
Many Global South nations,
particularly in the MENA region, have
seen a rise in anti-Western
movements in response to perceived
increased cultural influence of Global
North countries, particularly the
United States. Ideas of secularism,
women’s rights, LGBT rights, etc. are
seen as threats to these societies and
leads to conflict between those living
in more developed and economically
prosperous areas vs those living in
 Global Politics - Paper 2 Essay Planning
Supporting Academic Theory 1 and
Link:
Dependency theory, neoliberalism
Conclusion:
Supporting Academic Theory 2 and
Link:
Washington Consensus,
humanitarianism
impoverished areas who often lack
education, different perspectives etc.
This can escalate to violence in such
cases as Syria and the Arab Spring,
and this mostly impacts the poor
Supporting Academic Theory 3 and
Link:
Social liberalism, democratisation,
human rights