Global Politics: Hard and Soft Power

This is a fully scaffolded lesson exploring the nature of Hard and Soft Power, updated to reflect debates in 2022 and onwards, with analysis of Putins invasion of Ukraine, Saudi Arabian Sportswashing, and the Soft Power of Queen Elizabeth II. There are eight tasks altogether, with all resources provided. Very discussion based, so should take at least three hour long lessons due to the detail of some of the tasks. The last task is an essay, I have included a planning sheet and mark scheme for Paper 2 IBDP.

The lesson starts with a discussion over different examples of power, and before an examination of US Hard Power, followed by looking at why Russian Hard Power failed and what the implications of this are. The lesson then moves onto soft power, looking at various examples, and how different types of soft power can be critiqued. The case of the Queen is looked at, with a direct analysis of the Queens Funeral as an example of Soft Power. The last tasks are a direct comparative analysis, before a task assessing which one is more relevant in 2022. I have included additional reading to support these tasks.

This lesson is good to go as soon as your download it, and the lesson is easily adaptable and editable as there is no branding or fancy gimmicks on the slides. Links to the videos are in the notes on the slides and are also included in the file. Relevant articles are also provided. It will transfer easily to Teams, Google or any other online format. The Word Doc for students to work on a PPT to guide the lesson and provoke discussion.