AO1: States are more likely to be members of international organisations such as the United Nations than regional bodies are. AO2: This is important because international organisations, representing states, are the key decision makers and power brokers in global politics AO3: This suggests that states are better capable of being involved in decision making which will strengthen their power as independent states than as members of regional bodies AO1: Most states hold military significance with a number of them holding a nuclear weapons capability whereas regional bodies tend not to hold military significance. AO2: This is important because hard power, particularly military and nuclear weapons capability is considered to be a central element in the ranking of states in global politics and in determining global order and significance AO3: This shows that states with military capability are far more likely to have an impact on world order, as independent sovereign states than as members of regional bodies which have no real military power capability AO1: A number of states like China and India, have seen spectacular economic growth rates in recent years. AO2: This is important because decision making is quicker and easier to achieve for independent states rather than for regional bodies where regional bodies have to accept or negotiate differences between members AO3: Consequently, states are far more likely to be able to make rapid, selfish decisions and to take actions which impact on world order and benefit them leading to prosperity and increased significance AO1: Most countries are able to make sovereign state decisions whereas regional bodies like the AU and ASEAN tend to operate under Intergovernmental as well as Supranational frameworks . AO2: This is important because economic growth can be comparably slower in established regional bodies such as the EU than in some states which are able to make decisions based on their own rather than collective interest AO3: We may conclude that states, able to focus on self- development will be better able to succeed and gain significant power that those having to consider regional partners which was part of the pro-Brexit argument

AO1: Regional bodies are growing in number and in membership with the AU now representing 55 states and many include either directly or through agreement, powerful states. AO2: This is significant because regional bodies are able to represent larger geographic and more highly populated areas with potentially greater economic significance than individual states AO3: Consequently, there appears to be benefit to states in joining regional bodies which seem to be growing in significance and becoming better able to help all members prosper and impact collectively on global politics with increased power AO1: Regional bodies are attempting to find ways to streamline decision making and the EU, as an example, has a number of supranational elements including the ECJ and where there is weighted voting which bodies like the AU seems interested in eventually replicating. AO2: This is important because a move from intergovernmentalism in decision making to supranational decision making, may allow regional bodies to make greater progress in the global political arena AO3: This suggests that regional bodies will ultimately become more attractive to states, as bodies representing larger entities than states, able to make decisions just as effectively as states in the future and allowing members to have a greater significance and more power AO1: Most regional bodies like ASEAN or NAFTA (or USMCA) have a focus on economic growth through the establishment of free trade areas and single markets without an impact in other areas which impact on sovereignty such as establishing human rights courts where there has been little progress. AO2: The importance of this is that certain states who have faced criticism for domestic policies in areas such as human rights are not set to have to surrender sovereignty in areas which they may find unpalatable AO3: Therefore, states will feel more comfortable gaining the significant economic benefits of joining large regional bodies without having to be concerned about detrimental aspects AO1: The European Union is a large, economically powerful, full member of the WTO and also a member of G20 and invitee to G7 meetings and other regional bodies are now gaining representation in global bodies. AO2: This is important because member states of regional bodies will be better able to make decisions of significance when they are jointly given the same power as sovereign states in the key global bodies AO3: Consequently, countries like the BRICS states may believe that their best opportunity to continue to prosper and to hold significance comparable to countries such as the US and regional bodies such as the EU is by joining or leading their own regional organisations