18 named examples with their significance, drawn from the Panther database. Read them, then test yourself.
In test mode, tap an example to reveal why it matters.
The examples
1973 Oil Shock(tap to reveal)- Arab OPEC members imposed an oil embargo in 1973, causing oil prices to quadruple and triggering recession across Western economies.
1997 Asian Financial Crisis(tap to reveal)- The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis began with the Thai baht collapse and spread rapidly across East Asia, requiring IMF bailouts with strict conditions.
2007/2008 global financial crisis(tap to reveal)- The 2007-08 financial crisis originated in US subprime mortgage lending, spreading through globalised financial markets to cause worldwide recession.
Bangladesh factory collapse (2012)(tap to reveal)- The Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh in 2013 killed over 1,100 garment workers producing clothing for major Western brands.
Brexit and the Limits of European Regionalism (2016-20)(2021)(tap to reveal)- Only state to leave EU. 52-48% vote. Trade disruption post-2021. Shows sovereignty concerns can override economic integration. Tests whether regional blocs are truly supranational or intergovernmental in nature.
Brexit referendum 2016(tap to reveal)- In June 2016, 51.9% of UK voters chose to leave the European Union, triggering Article 50 and years of withdrawal negotiations.
China Confucius Institutes(tap to reveal)- China established over 500 Confucius Institutes in universities worldwide to promote Chinese language, culture and soft power.
China's Belt and Road Initiative (2013-present)(2013)(tap to reveal)- BRI spans 140+ countries, $1tn+ investment. Sri Lanka Hambantota port: 99-year lease to China after debt default. Debt-trap diplomacy debate. Shows how economic power can be used as soft/sharp power tool.
China's economic growth (double digit)(tap to reveal)- China sustained average annual GDP growth of approximately 10% between 1980 and 2010, becoming the world's second-largest economy.
China's market reforms (1978-1991)(tap to reveal)- Deng Xiaoping launched market-oriented economic reforms from 1978, creating special economic zones and opening China to foreign investment.
G20 Toronto 2010 protests(tap to reveal)- The G20 summit in Toronto in 2010 was accompanied by mass protests against austerity and global financial institutions.
G7 summits protests(tap to reveal)- Mass anti-globalisation protests took place at G7/G8 summits throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, with the Genoa 2001 summit seeing major violence.
Iran, the Strait of Hormuz and Hard Power vs Soft Power (2025-26)(2025)(tap to reveal)- Trump hard power approach to Iran/Hormuz 2025-26 has failed to reopen strait; contrasts with Obama soft power JCPOA
MNC exploitation(tap to reveal)- MNCs frequently relocate production to countries with low wages and weak regulations, exploiting workers and avoiding environmental standards.
McWorld and Cultural Homogenisation (Barber)(tap to reveal)- Barber's concept of McWorld describes the spread of Western consumer culture, brands, and values through economic globalisation (McDonald's, Apple, entertainment platforms). Local cultures are marginalised. AO2: use as a named, theorised criticism of cultural globalisation. Pair with dependency theory for the economic side. AO3: counter with complex interdependence - global cultural links also create economic ties that reduce conflict incentives.
Red Sea / Houthi Attacks on Shipping (2023-25): NSA disruption of global trade routes(2023)(tap to reveal)- Use as a contemporary case study in two separate arguments. First, NSA power: the Houthis - a non-state armed group - successfully disrupted a major global trade route despite US and UK naval operations (Operation Prosperity Guardian), showing NSAs can operate asymmetrically against great power militaries. Second, interdependence as vulnerability: the disruption to Red Sea shipping (which normally carries 15% of global trade) shows that economic globalisation creates systemic fragility - a non-state actor can impose inflationary pressure on dozens of uninvolved economies. For AO3: use as a realist counterpoint to liberal claims about the stabilising effect of interdependence - the Houthis show interdependence can be weaponised by those who do not share in its benefits. Compare with ISIS oil infrastructure attacks (2014-16) as a precedent for NSA disruption of economic flows.
Trump presidency (America First)(tap to reveal)- The Trump administration (2017-21) withdrew from the Paris Agreement, Trans-Pacific Partnership and Iran nuclear deal, questioning multilateral commitments in favour of bilateral deals.
UNHCR and the Global Refugee Crisis (2015-present)(2023)(tap to reveal)- 100m+ displaced persons globally (2023). UNHCR mandate vs state sovereignty over borders. EU externalisation of borders (Libya, Rwanda plans). Shows tension between human rights norms and state sovereignty in practice.