Global Politics SHL:

Players and Pivots

IB Induction
A state An independent sovereign political area that functions
as one, self contained unit.

A federal state
A state where some key decisions of society are the responsibility of regional government
despite there still being a central, national government.

A unitary state
When a central, national government is responsible for most policy and decisions for
the country.
Research and find out:

 What is a nation-state? Can a state be a nation and a state at the same time?

 What is sovereignty? Is it possible that a state loses sovereignty?

 What is legitimacy? How do we know when something is legitimate?

Read the extract by Brzezinski - The Great Chessboard

PLAYERS

What makes a country a player?

What has changed? What has remained the same? What countries are the central players
today?

PIVOTS
What makes a country a pivot?

What has changed? What has remained the same? What countries are the key pivots?
Read the extract by Brzezinski - The Great Chessboard

THE CHESSBOARD

If Eurasia is the chessboard on which the struggle for global primacy is to be played, then
who are the key players? who are the pivots?

What is the current world order? Who wants to control what? Is there a balance of power?

Take the Grand Chessboard metaphor further. Who are the chess players? How do they
manipulate the Chessboard?
Complete the work and
discuss with the class.
Players and Pivots