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Year 10 - Citizenship

Is the UK still an important international power?

How does the UK play a role in the international community?

Unit Summary

Pupils consider the role the UK plays in Europe and the wider world, exploring organisations such as the United Nations and WTO and examining what role the UK has in global problems.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how countries have influence on the world stage and outline the UK's influence.

Key Notes

  • Countries pursue foreign policy aims through soft and hard power.
  • Hard power uses military/economic pressure, while soft power relies on attraction and persuasion.
  • Soft power may be subtle but shapes international relations and influences policies globally.
  • The UK, despite challenges, remains an influential nation today due to its membership of international organisations.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • influence: the power to affect or change someone's thoughts, actions or decisions
  • hard power: the ability of a state to influence other states through coercion, often using military or economic means
  • soft power: the ability to influence others through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion or force

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The UK no longer has any influence in the world.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

Countries pursue foreign policy aims through soft and hard power. Hard power uses military/economic pressure, while soft power relies on attraction and persuasion.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'influence'

the power to affect or change someone's thoughts, actions or decisions.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: The UK no longer has any influence in the world. Correction: Although the UK's influence has declined in some areas, it still holds significant global influence. Through its membership in organisations like NATO, the UN and the Commonwealth, the UK continues to shape global events.

More Lessons In This Unit

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