Topic selection can be quite challenging for Global Politics, as you need to choose a topic that allows you to make use of different political theories and/or interpretations.

For example, an investigation into the effectiveness of the U.N. in helping to solve issue X could draw upon theories like Liberalism, Realism, or several of the "Critical Theories," if relevant.

An essay on conflict could make use of Galtung's Conflict Triangle to explore the background and causes of the conflict.

Choosing a Global Politics EE likely means you need to talk with your teacher to get some information from units you haven't studied yet. Similar to History, you're likely to do a lot of research and reading (and note-taking) in the early months of the EE.

Like every other Global Politics assessment, you must choose a contemporary case study (or studies). In this subject, "contemporary" means "from your lifetime." While that technically means "from the year you were born onward" I'd recommend you start the timer at like... kindergarten or first grade. It helps if you have some familiarity with the subject.

I LOVE the Extended Essay in Global Politics, but you should be aware...

1. Every GloPo student has to do a Political Engagement Activity (our IA.) Most students will have a topic related to a political issue in Taiwan.

2. HL students need to do TWO Global Challenge research presentations, and IB recommends spending approx. 40 hours on EACH presentation (this 5 hours more than their recommendation for the whole Extended Essay.)

3. Topics for IA/HLX/EE cannot overlap.

I fully support students choosing GloPo as an EE subject, but I encourage you to think carefully if you are an HL student: do you really want to do FOUR research-based Global Politics tasks? It can be done, and the EE is a lot more flexible than the other tasks, but it's A LOT of Global Politics.

SL students, there shouldn't be any concern for you guys -- feel free to pick without thinking carefully (joke, JOKE, that's a JOKE - always think carefully about everything!)