How does the world try to resolve conflict and tackle global problems?
The main global issues such as conflict, climate change and poverty, how international disputes and conflicts can be resolved through diplomacy, sanctions and intervention, the role of international organisations and law, and how individuals can act on global issues.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on global issues and conflict resolution: the main global problems such as conflict, climate change and poverty, how conflicts are resolved through diplomacy, sanctions and intervention, the role of international organisations and law, and how individuals can act.
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What this dot point is asking
OCR wants you to explain the main global issues (such as conflict, climate change and poverty), how disputes and conflicts can be resolved (through diplomacy, sanctions and intervention), the role of international organisations and law, and how individuals can act on global issues. This Section 3 topic builds on international organisations and is examined through knowledge questions on global problems and through "Explain" and "Evaluate" questions on how conflict is resolved.
The main global issues
The key idea is that these problems cannot be solved by one country alone, which is why international cooperation and organisations matter.
How conflicts and disputes are resolved
The role of organisations, law and individuals
OCR rewards naming real methods and organisations and explaining why peaceful resolution is preferred. The strongest answers reach a judgement, for example that diplomacy and cooperation are the best first response, with force only as a last resort.
Try this
Q1. Name two global issues that require international cooperation. [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. For example armed conflict, climate change, poverty, terrorism, pandemics or the refugee crisis.
Q2. Explain one peaceful way countries can resolve a dispute. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Through diplomacy and negotiation, often helped by the UN, where countries talk through their differences and may sign a treaty or agreement, avoiding the use of force.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR J270 20192 marksIdentify two global issues that require international cooperation.Show worked answer →
A short knowledge question (2 marks, 1 mark each). Reward two correct, distinct issues.
Acceptable answers: armed conflict and war; climate change and the environment; poverty and inequality; terrorism; pandemics and global health; the refugee and migration crisis; and human rights abuses.
Top marks. Two distinct global issues. Avoid two versions of the same idea (such as "war" and "fighting").
OCR J270 20228 marksExplain the different ways international disputes between countries can be resolved.Show worked answer →
An extended "Explain" question (8 marks, AO1 and AO2). Reward developed methods, each explained.
Method one (diplomacy and negotiation). Countries can talk through disputes using diplomacy, negotiation and treaties, often helped by international organisations such as the UN, to reach a peaceful agreement.
Method two (sanctions). The international community can apply sanctions (such as trade or financial restrictions) to pressure a country to change its behaviour without using force.
Method three (peacekeeping and intervention). The UN can send peacekeeping forces to keep warring sides apart, and in extreme cases the international community may use military intervention, usually as a last resort.
Top band. Three developed methods (diplomacy, sanctions, peacekeeping/intervention), with a judgement that peaceful methods are preferred and force is a last resort.
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Sources & how we know this
- OCR GCSE (9-1) Citizenship Studies J270 specification — OCR (2016)
- UN peace and security — United Nations (2023)