IB Global Politics IA Engagement Project Key Definitions

Interest groups are organizations that seek to influence public policy to benefit their members or advance a specific cause.

A political issue involves how power is distributed and exercised in the real world. It affects people's lives, communities, and the broader society. Political issues aren't limited to politicians or governments, they appear in everyday life (e.g. healthcare, education, taxes, laws, social media).

Soft power is the ability of a state or actor to influence others through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion or force. It comes from cultural appeal, political values, and diplomacy. For example, Hollywood films shaping global perceptions of the U.S., Japan’s global influence through anime and technology culture, or the European Union promoting human rights norms are expressions of soft power.

A stakeholder is any individual or group affected by a political issue, regardless of whether they have the power or opportunity to act on it.

Harm caused by social, economic, and political systems that prevent people from meeting basic needs. Examples include poverty, inequality, and institutional discrimination. Unlike direct violence, structural violence has no single perpetrator but is embedded in societal structures that systematically disadvantage certain groups.