Ten examples that work across most of the Global paper. For each one: what it shows, where it fits, and how to argue it both ways. The same example can support or challenge a view depending on how you frame it, and using it on both sides is what lifts an answer to the top level.
1Russia's invasion of Ukraine (2022)
Hard power and realism in action; it exposed UN Security Council paralysis through Russia's veto and revived NATO.
Use in: Power and polarity (4) · UN and political governance (2) · Regionalism, NATO and the EU (5) · Sovereignty (1) · Comparative theories (6)
Governance is weak / realism
Russia's veto paralysed the UN and the war went on regardless, so hard power and self-interest beat international institutions.
Governance still matters / liberalism
The West united, sanctions and the ICC warrant bit, and NATO grew, so collective action and law still have force.
2The UN Security Council P5 veto
Any permanent member can block a resolution, so action stalls. The clearest sign that realism limits global governance.
Use in: Political global governance (2) · Power (4) · Human rights and intervention (3) · Comparative theories (6)
A fatal weakness
Vetoes blocked action on Syria and Ukraine, so the UN is hostage to the self-interest of the great powers.
A useful design
The UN still gives legitimacy, peacekeeping and a forum, and the veto keeps the great powers inside the system.
3China's rise and the Belt and Road Initiative
Huge infrastructure lending across Asia and Africa builds economic and soft power, challenging US hegemony.
Use in: Power and polarity (4) · Economic governance and development (2) · Regionalism (5) · Globalisation (1)
A more multipolar world
China's economic weight and Belt and Road reach show a rising pole and US dominance in decline.
US still on top
China lacks US military reach and alliances, and Belt and Road breeds debt and resentment, so US-led order persists.
4The 2015 Paris Agreement
Almost every state pledged voluntary emissions cuts, but Trump's withdrawal showed sovereignty beating collective action.
Use in: Environmental governance (3) · IGOs and governance (2) · Sovereignty vs collective action (1) · Comparative theories (6)
Cooperation works
Near-universal sign-up and a shared target show states can act together on a global problem (liberalism).
Cooperation is shallow
Targets are voluntary and unenforceable, and the US withdrew under Trump, so sovereignty and self-interest win (realism).
5The International Criminal Court and the Putin warrant (2023)
It issued an arrest warrant for a sitting head of state, yet the US, China and Russia reject it and enforcement is weak.
Use in: Human rights and international law (3) · Limits of governance (2 and 3) · Sovereignty (1) · Comparative theories (6)
Law is advancing
A warrant reaching even a head of state shows international accountability is growing stronger.
Law is toothless
The US, China and Russia reject the court and no one can enforce it, so sovereignty still beats rights law.
6The 2003 Iraq War
A US-led invasion without UN Security Council authorisation; it shows American unilateralism and realism over liberal institutions.
Use in: Power and hegemony (4) · Intervention and law (3) · Legitimacy and the UN (2) · Comparative theories (6)
Realism / US power
The strongest state invaded without UN backing and could not be stopped, so power decides, not institutions.
Institutions matter
It lacked legitimacy and damaged US standing, showing that acting outside the rules carries a real cost.
7Brexit (2016 vote, 2020 exit)
The UK left the EU to reclaim sovereignty, a blow to deep regionalism and a sign of globalisation backlash.
Use in: Regionalism and the EU (5) · Sovereignty (1) · Globalisation and its backlash (1) · Comparative theories (6)
The state reasserts itself
A major member reclaimed sovereignty and left, showing globalisation can be reversed and the state still rules.
Regionalism endures
The EU held together and deepened, and the UK still follows its rules to trade, so interdependence remains.
8The 2008 global financial crisis
Contagion spread worldwide, proving interdependence, while the G20 and IMF coordinated the global response.
Use in: Economic globalisation and governance (2) · Interdependence (1) · State vs market (1 and 2) · Comparative theories (6)
Governance works
The G20 and IMF coordinated a global rescue, showing institutions can manage a crisis that crosses borders.
Globalisation is risky
The crisis spread through interdependence and each state bailed out its own banks, so the state still leads.
9The COVID-19 pandemic
It crossed borders instantly, exposing interdependence and weak WHO authority while states hoarded vaccines.
Use in: Globalisation (1) · Global governance and the WHO (2) · Sovereignty (1) · Human security (3 and 4)
We need global governance
A borderless threat showed why cooperation and the WHO matter, and COVAX shared vaccines with poorer states.
The state comes first
States shut borders and hoarded vaccines while the WHO was sidelined, so sovereignty beat global governance.
10The Syrian civil war
Security Council vetoes blocked action, Responsibility to Protect failed, and millions became refugees.
Use in: Human rights and Responsibility to Protect (3) · Intervention (3) · Governance failure (2) · Refugees and human security (3 and 4)
The aspiration exists
Humanitarian norms and Responsibility to Protect exist, and aid was delivered, so the human rights ideal is real.
The reality fails
Vetoes blocked intervention, Responsibility to Protect was ignored and millions fled, so realism and sovereignty won.