Predicted Paper 3 Global · Q3C · 30-mark essay

States and non-state actors

"Evaluate the view that power has shifted from states to non-state actors. (30 marks)"

1. What a 30-mark essay wants

This is a 30-mark Section B essay, marked across AO1, AO2 and AO3. You must reach and sustain a clear line of argument.

Spec hook. Power and developments in global politics; state and non-state actors; sovereignty. There is no source.

Build the answer around three themes. For each, set the strongest case on both sides and reach an interim judgement that points to your line of argument.

2. The case that power has shifted to non-state actors

The view rests on three strong points.

Economic power. The largest transnational corporations rival states in wealth, move capital and production across borders, and can constrain state policy.
Security challenges. Non-state armed groups and terrorist networks can challenge states and operate across borders, something the state-centred model struggles to explain.
Norms and the agenda. NGOs, global civil society and social media shape the international agenda, expose abuses and drive new norms.

3. The case that the state remains primary

The opposing case is genuine and must be argued at full strength.

Sovereignty and law. Only states hold legal sovereignty: they make and enforce law, control borders and grant the legal space in which non-state actors operate.
The monopoly on force. States retain the monopoly on legitimate large-scale force - standing militaries and the power to defeat or contain armed groups.
Great powers still set the order. The structure of world politics is still shaped by the most powerful states and their rivalries.

4. The three themes

Theme	Power has shifted	The state remains primary
Economic power	TNCs rival states; mobile capital constrains policy	States set the legal and tax framework TNCs work within
Security	Armed and terrorist groups challenge states	States keep the monopoly on legitimate large-scale force
Norms and agenda	NGOs and civil society shape the agenda	States take the binding decisions and sign treaties

Line of argument. A defensible line: the view is overstated. Non-state actors have gained real influence and the picture is far more crowded than the classic state-centred model, but power has been diffused, not transferred - the state remains the primary actor.

5. Writing the answer

State your line of argument briefly in the introduction. Take each theme as a paragraph: the strongest counter-case, then your rebuttal, then an interim judgement. Keep the conclusion short and evaluative.

AO3 discipline. Every theme must reach a judgement that leads to your overall line. Distinguish carefully between influence (which non-state actors clearly have) and power transferred away from the state (which is far less clear).