Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to identify important issues within this topic, recognise contrasting perspectives, suggest causes and consequences, consider possible courses of action and develop suitable questions for Global Perspectives research.
How To Use This Topic Guide
This is not a chapter to memorise. Use it to explore possible issues, practise Cambridge skills and decide whether this topic is suitable for an Individual Report or Team Project.
What This Topic Includes
Political power and action examines how decisions are made, who influences them, how citizens participate and how governments, political groups, civil society and international organisations use authority.
Possible Global Issues
- Whether voting systems represent citizens fairly.
- Political participation among young people.
- Freedom of protest and limits on public demonstrations.
- Corruption and misuse of public power.
- Political influence of wealthy individuals, companies or interest groups.
- Government transparency and access to information.
- The role of social media in political action.
- Whether unelected experts should influence major policy decisions.
- Balance between national security and civil liberties.
Stakeholders And Perspectives
- Governments may prioritise stability, security, efficiency and public support.
- Opposition parties may demand accountability and alternative policies.
- Citizens may value representation, services, rights and fair participation.
- Young people may seek influence despite being below voting age.
- Businesses may lobby for policies that support investment or reduce regulation.
- Civil-society groups may campaign for rights, reform or overlooked communities.
- Journalists may defend transparency and investigate those in power.
- International organisations may encourage democratic standards but face accusations of interference.
Possible Causes
- Unequal access to information, education and political networks.
- Concentration of wealth or media ownership.
- Weak institutions and limited oversight.
- Public distrust and low participation.
- Political polarisation and misinformation.
- Historical exclusion of some social groups.
- Complex decision-making that reduces public understanding.
- Emergency conditions that expand government powers.
Possible Consequences
- Policies may reflect a wider or narrower range of interests.
- Corruption can reduce services and public trust.
- Participation can strengthen accountability and legitimacy.
- Protest can produce reform but may also create disruption or conflict.
- Concentrated power can speed decisions while reducing scrutiny.
- Political exclusion may increase frustration and instability.
- Transparent institutions can improve confidence and reduce abuse.
- Online campaigning can widen participation while spreading manipulation.
Possible Courses Of Action
- Strengthen independent oversight and anti-corruption bodies.
- Publish budgets, contracts and decision-making information.
- Expand civic education and youth participation.
- Protect peaceful protest while using proportionate safety rules.
- Require transparency about political donations and lobbying.
- Support independent journalism and access-to-information laws.
- Improve election access and representation.
- Use public consultation and citizen assemblies for suitable issues.
Possible Individual Report Questions
- Does social media strengthen democratic participation?
- Should voting be compulsory?
- Do wealthy donors have too much influence over politics?
- Should governments limit protests that cause major disruption?
- Can citizen assemblies improve political decision-making?
Possible Team Project Ideas
- Survey young people’s understanding of local government and create a civic-information guide.
- Investigate whether local decisions are explained clearly to the public.
- Organise a student consultation on one school or community policy.
- Create an anti-misinformation campaign about public decision-making.
- Compare participation opportunities available to different social groups.
Useful Types Of Evidence
- Election and participation statistics.
- Government budgets, laws and public records.
- Political donation and lobbying information.
- Interviews with citizens, officials, campaigners and journalists.
- Reports from election observers and anti-corruption organisations.
- Media and social-media content relating to political campaigns.
Skill Practice
Choose one public decision. Identify who had formal power, who had informal influence and which groups had little opportunity to participate. Explain what evidence would be needed to judge whether the process was fair.
Lesson Summary
- Political power concerns both formal authority and informal influence.
- Participation, efficiency, security and freedom may conflict.
- Claims about fairness require evidence about access, representation and outcomes.
- Students should evaluate institutions and actions rather than simply supporting a political side.
