Key Idea: Global politics is not just about states. It is shaped by a whole cast of actors — IGOs, NGOs, companies, movements, parties, leaders, the media and ordinary people. The exam skill: identify who the actors are in a situation and weigh how much power each really has.
📚 The actors at a glance
Who shapes global politics
- The state & sub-state — States (the primary actors) and subnational/local governments.
- IGOs & NGOs — Intergovernmental organisations (UN, WTO) and non-governmental organisations (Amnesty, Oxfam).
- Companies & movements — Private companies/MNCs, social and resistance movements, political parties, interest & pressure groups.
- People, leaders & media — Political leaders, formal & informal forums, the media, and other individual and collective actors.
⚖️ The debates that come up
- States hold hard power & sovereignty
- Non-state actors rising
- Judge: states central but not alone
- Actors can act (power)
- Stakeholders are affected
- Judge: consider all who are affected
- Not just the biggest
- MNCs, movements, media matter
- Judge: weigh each actor's power
With reference to a source and one example you have studied, explain the difference between a state and a non-state actor.
🔒 Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
Important: Only writing about states. Examiners reward students who identify the <strong>full range</strong> of actors (IGOs, NGOs, MNCs, movements, media, individuals) and <strong>weigh each one's power</strong> — states are central but far from alone.
Answer in your head first, then tap to reveal.
What is the difference between a state and a non-state actor? A state is a sovereign country with a government and recognition; a non-state actor (IGO, NGO, MNC, movement) influences politics without being a sovereign state.
What is the difference between an actor and a stakeholder? An actor can act — exercise power to shape outcomes; a stakeholder is anyone affected by an issue, even if they cannot act. Consider all who are affected.
Who are the main non-state actors? IGOs (UN, WTO), NGOs (Amnesty), MNCs (Shell, Apple), social and resistance movements, political parties, pressure groups, leaders and the media.
Are states still the most important actors? States remain central — they hold hard power, sovereignty and the ability to make binding law — but non-state actors increasingly shape global politics alongside them.
How do you weigh an actor's power? Ask what resources it has (money, force, legitimacy, information), how much it can shape outcomes, and who it can influence — not just how big it is.
Exam Tips
- Identify the FULL range of actors, not just states.
- Actor (can act) vs stakeholder (is affected).
- States are central but not alone.
- Weigh each actor's power — resources and influence.