IB Global Politics Topic Private Companies and Unions Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Global Politics Topic Private Companies and Unions Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

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The Role of Private Companies in Global Politics

Private companies, especially multinational corporations (MNCs), play a role in upholding or violating workers' rights. Power imbalances between employer and employee can lead to exploitation.
UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Clarifies state, employer, and employee responsibilities to uphold rights at work:
1. State: Enact/enforce laws to protect workers.
2. Employer: Prevent, act on, and address workplace abuse.
3. Employee: Know and exercise rights, seek help if violated.

Note

Marxist perspective: Capitalism prioritizes profit over worker welfare, workers are a vulnerable group. Marxists often criticize global institutions like the UN for failing to challenge corporate power.

1. Economic Powerhouses

Multinational Corporations (MNCs) like Apple, Amazon, and ExxonMobil have revenues that rival the GDP of entire countries.
Their economic influence allows them to shape global markets, supply chains, and trade policies.

Example

In 2020, Walmart's revenue was approximately $559 billion, surpassing the GDP of countries like Sweden and Argentina.

2. Political Influence

Private companies lobby governments, fund political campaigns, and participate in policy-making.
They often advocate for regulations that favor their interests, such as tax incentives or deregulation.

Example

The tech industry has lobbied extensively against data privacy regulations in the European Union, highlighting the tension between corporate interests and public policy.

3. Global Governance

Companies play a role in global governance by participating in international agreements and initiatives.
For example, many corporations have committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing issues like climate change and poverty.
Some businesses also collaborate with IGOs and NGOs to promote human rights, sustainability, and ethical practices in supply chains.

Example

Nestlé has partnered with the Fair Labor Association to improve labor rights and monitor conditions in its cocoa supply chain.

Note

While private companies contribute to economic growth and innovation, their influence can also lead to ethical concerns, such as tax avoidance, labor exploitation, and environmental degradation.

The Role of Unions in Global Politics

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The Role of Private Companies in Global Politics

Private companies, especially multinational corporations (MNCs), play a role in upholding or violating workers' rights. Power imbalances between employer and employee can lead to exploitation.
UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Clarifies state, employer, and employee responsibilities to uphold rights at work:
1. State: Enact/enforce laws to protect workers.
2. Employer: Prevent, act on, and address workplace abuse.
3. Employee: Know and exercise rights, seek help if violated.

Note

Marxist perspective: Capitalism prioritizes profit over worker welfare, workers are a vulnerable group. Marxists often criticize global institutions like the UN for failing to challenge corporate power.

1. Economic Powerhouses

Multinational Corporations (MNCs) like Apple, Amazon, and ExxonMobil have revenues that rival the GDP of entire countries.
Their economic influence allows them to shape global markets, supply chains, and trade policies.

Example

In 2020, Walmart's revenue was approximately $559 billion, surpassing the GDP of countries like Sweden and Argentina.

2. Political Influence

Private companies lobby governments, fund political campaigns, and participate in policy-making.
They often advocate for regulations that favor their interests, such as tax incentives or deregulation.

Example

The tech industry has lobbied extensively against data privacy regulations in the European Union, highlighting the tension between corporate interests and public policy.

3. Global Governance

Companies play a role in global governance by participating in international agreements and initiatives.
For example, many corporations have committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing issues like climate change and poverty.
Some businesses also collaborate with IGOs and NGOs to promote human rights, sustainability, and ethical practices in supply chains.

Example

Nestlé has partnered with the Fair Labor Association to improve labor rights and monitor conditions in its cocoa supply chain.

Note

While private companies contribute to economic growth and innovation, their influence can also lead to ethical concerns, such as tax avoidance, labor exploitation, and environmental degradation.

The Role of Unions in Global Politics

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

Core: Understanding power and global politics6 subtopics

Rights and Justice4 subtopics

Development and Sustainability4 subtopics

Peace and Conflict4 subtopics

Assessment Guides4 subtopics

IA Engagement Project1 subtopic

IB Global Politics Private Companies and Unions Notes

Core: Understanding power and global politics6 subtopics

Rights and Justice4 subtopics

Development and Sustainability4 subtopics

Peace and Conflict4 subtopics

Assessment Guides4 subtopics

IA Engagement Project1 subtopic

The Role of Private Companies in Global Politics

1. Economic Powerhouses

2. Political Influence

3. Global Governance

The Role of Unions in Global Politics

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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The Role of Private Companies in Global Politics

1. Economic Powerhouses

2. Political Influence

3. Global Governance

The Role of Unions in Global Politics

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account