Introduction
● Define key terms: In global politics, the "state" refers to a sovereign political entity
with control over a defined territory and the power to make and enforce laws.
Global politics involves interactions between states, international organisations,
and non-state actors such as NGOs and corporations.
● Introduce argument: While states remain crucial actors in global politics, other
actors such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and multinational
corporations (MNCs) have gained increasing influence. Organisations like
Amnesty International and corporations like the United Fruit Company
demonstrate how non-state actors can shape global affairs, often challenging
state sovereignty.
Paragraph 1: Agree with the statement
● Point: The state is a key actor in global politics because it holds sovereignty and
controls resources, military forces, and policy-making power.
● Evidence: For example, the United States plays a dominant role in global politics,
exerting influence through its military, economic power, and diplomatic alliances.
The U.S. government’s decisions impact international trade, security, and climate
change policies.
● Explain: This demonstrates the significance of states because they have the
formal authority to engage in diplomacy, sign treaties, and enforce international
law.
● Link: Therefore, the state remains a central actor in global politics, as it can
enforce international decisions and influence global trends.
Paragraph 2: Disagree with the statement (Amnesty International)
● Point: Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like Amnesty International
challenge the state's role as the most important actor by shaping global human
rights agendas and holding governments accountable.
● Evidence: Amnesty International has successfully pressured governments to
change their human rights policies through campaigns, reports, and global
advocacy. For instance, Amnesty's campaigns against the death penalty have
influenced countries like Mongolia to abolish the practice.
● Explain: This example shows how NGOs can affect state policy and international
norms by raising awareness, mobilising public opinion, and advocating for
change, often without having any formal power like states do.
● Link: As a result, organisations like Amnesty International demonstrate that
non-state actors can be highly influential in global politics, even without the
traditional power structures of a state.
Paragraph 3: Disagree with the statement (United Fruit Company)
● Point: Multinational corporations (MNCs) like the United Fruit Company show that
private companies can rival the influence of states, especially in terms of
economic and political power.
● Evidence: The United Fruit Company played a major role in shaping the politics of
Central America during the 20th century, particularly in Guatemala. The
company’s interests in maintaining favourable conditions for its banana
plantations led to U.S. intervention in Guatemala politics, culminating in the 1954
CIA-backed coup to overthrow the democratically elected government.
● Explain: This shows how corporations can manipulate global political dynamics
by leveraging economic power and influencing foreign policy, effectively
shaping the political landscape of entire regions without being a state actor.
● Link: Therefore, corporations like the United Fruit Company demonstrate that the
economic and political clout of private companies can rival or even surpass the
influence of some states, challenging the notion that states are the most
important actors in global politics.
Conclusion
● Summarise: While states continue to be significant actors in global politics due to
their sovereignty and control over policy and military power, non-state actors like
NGOs and multinational corporations have emerged as influential forces.
Amnesty International and the United Fruit Company are prime examples of how
non-state actors can shape international norms and policies, sometimes
challenging or even surpassing the influence of states.
● Answer the question: Therefore, while the state remains important, it is no longer
the only or most dominant actor in global politics, as non-state actors increasingly
play key roles in shaping global outcomes.
