Political leaders from English-speaking countries wield significant influence on global issues such as security, economic collaboration, and climate change.
Faglig kvalitetssikret av lærere og toppstudenter · Følger læreplanen (LK20) · Sist oppdatert 2026-10-03
This guide breaks down how political leaders from English-speaking countries wield significant influence on the world stage, providing a detailed analysis of a model essay and exam strategies to help you write a top-grade response.
Below, you will find pictures of political leaders from some English-speaking countries meeting other influential political leaders to discuss various pressing issues in the world.
To what extent do political leaders from the English-speaking world have influence on important world issues such as security, economic collaboration or climate change? Write a text in which you discuss some aspects of the international political influence of an English-speaking country of your choice.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in 2023 to address ongoing trade and security disputes. French President Emmanuel Macron greeting former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at a UK–France summit in Paris in 2023. Some discussion topics were defence and security and energy and decarbonisation. US President Joe Biden welcoming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj at the White House in 2022, where President Biden promised continued support to Ukraine in their war with Russia.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the BRICS summit in 2023, where they discussed economic collaboration.
References:
Example 1: CGTN. (2023, 6 November). Xi Jinping meets with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (2023, 29 April). China Global Television Network. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-11-06/Xi-Jinping-meets-with-Australian-Prime-Minister-Anthony-Albanese--1ow3p5EsWys/index.html
Example 2: Marin, L (2023, 10 March). AFP/Getty Images. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/mar/10/sunak-macron-navigate-boat-issues-reset-anglo-french-relations
Example 3: Ukrainian Presidency (photographer) (2023, 15 September). Anadolu Agency/Getty Images. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-15/biden-zelenskiy-to-meet-at-white-house-following-un-summit
Example 4: IOL (2023, 23 August). Independent Online. https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/15th-brics-summit-day-2-india-pm-narendra-modi-to-hold-bilateral-meeting-president-cyril-ramaphosa-ac65d701-e507-520f-bd1c-da0e1c948de5
Political leaders from English-speaking countries wield significant influence on global issues such as security, economic collaboration, and climate change. Their actions and decisions have a far-reaching impact, given the global economic and political power of countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
One of the most notable examples of this influence can be seen in the role of the United States under President Joe Biden. In 2022, Biden hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj at the White House, where the United States committed continued support to Ukraine in its war with Russia. This meeting underscored the U.S.'s role in international security, as its military and financial aid have been critical to Ukraine's resistance. Biden's leadership in this matter reflects the United States' power to shape global security dynamics and its central position in NATO and other international defense organizations.
Similarly, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2023 to address trade and security concerns. Given Australia's close economic ties with China and its strategic location in the Indo-Pacific, Albanese's efforts to negotiate with China have significant implications for regional stability and economic collaboration. Australia’s foreign policy decisions, especially in relation to China, influence global trade routes and security arrangements, further solidifying Australia’s international importance.
The United Kingdom, under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, also plays a critical role in global affairs. Sunak's discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron in 2023 focused on defense, security, and energy decarbonization, highlighting the UK’s influence on climate change policy and European security. The UK’s leadership in addressing climate change is evident in its support for international climate agreements, while its defense policies help shape NATO’s strategy on global security challenges.
In conclusion, political leaders from English-speaking countries significantly impact global issues. Whether it’s through military support, diplomatic negotiations, or environmental commitments, their influence on security, economic cooperation, and climate change is undeniable. Their decisions often set the tone for international collaboration and have lasting effects on global stability and development.
This type of discussion essay is a classic exam task in the English subject, directly targeting the competence aim of exploring and reflecting on social conditions and values in the English-speaking world. The question "to what extent" is crucial; it requires you to go beyond simple description and engage in critical discussion, weighing different factors and forming a reasoned conclusion. This skill is precisely what separates a mediocre response from a top-grade one. You will be assessed on your ability to construct a coherent argument supported by relevant knowledge and specific examples, either from the provided stimulus or your own studies.
This theme can manifest in various ways on an exam:
To discuss political influence with precision, you need a firm grasp of key geopolitical terms. Using this vocabulary correctly demonstrates a high level of academic competence. Here are the essential concepts:
| Concept | Definition | Concrete Example from the English-Speaking World |
|---|---|---|
| Hard Power | The use of military and economic means to influence the behaviour or interests of other political bodies. This is a form of coercion. | The US providing billions of dollars in military aid (tanks, missile systems) to Ukraine is a direct application of hard power to counter Russian aggression. Economic sanctions against Russia are another form. |
| Soft Power | The ability to attract and co-opt rather than coerce. It's based on the attractiveness of a country's culture, political ideals, and policies. | The global prestige of universities like Cambridge and MIT, the worldwide popularity of English-language music and films (Hollywood), and the UK's role in promoting global health initiatives contribute to British and American soft power. |
| Smart Power | The strategic combination of hard and soft power to achieve foreign policy goals. | Australia's policy towards China exemplifies smart power. It engages in diplomatic talks on trade (soft power) while simultaneously entering the AUKUS security pact with the US and UK to build military deterrence (hard power). |
| Multilateralism | A foreign policy that involves alliances with multiple countries to pursue a common goal, often through international institutions. | The UK's active participation in NATO to formulate a collective response to security threats, or Canada's efforts within the UN to promote peacekeeping missions, are examples of multilateralism. |
| Bilateralism | Relations, agreements, or negotiations conducted between two sovereign states. | The 2023 summit between Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron to discuss specific UK-France issues like security and energy is a clear example of a bilateral meeting designed to manage their post-Brexit relationship. |
Many students struggle to move beyond surface-level descriptions in this type of essay. Below are three common traps and how to avoid them to elevate your analysis. …