Is the UK still an important international power?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how countries have influence on the world stage and outline the UK’s influence.
Key learning 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.
- 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.
Keywords
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 misconception
The UK no longer has any influence in the world.
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.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to consider both the positive and negative aspects of the UK’s global influence. Prompt them to reflect on how international organisations help maintain influence.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the minimum percentage of GDP that NATO members must contribute?
Q2.When was NATO founded?
Q3.What does Article 5 of the NATO treaty state?
Q4.What does the WTO do to help resolve trade disputes?
Q5.Which of the following nations is part of the Commonwealth?
Q6.Match the sentence head to its tail.
two main branches, military and civilian.
NATO’s main decision-making body.
based on voluntary association.
King Charles III.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Freezing bank accounts and limiting trade is an example of what type of power?
Q2.Which international organisation did Britain leave?
Q3.The UK hosts the Commonwealth Games, which allows the UK to share its values of equality and inclusion. What type of power is this an example of?
Q4.Which nation uses Confucius Institutes to spread its language and culture?
Q5.Which international organisation helps to keep the UK safe through collective security?
Q6.Match the word to its definition.
the power to affect/change someone's thoughts, actions or decisions
strategies a country uses to manage relationships with other nations
ideology where a country avoids involvement with other nations
To help you plan your 10 citizenship lesson on: Is the UK still an important international power?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 citizenship lesson on: Is the UK still an important international power?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 citizenship lessons from the How does the UK play a role in the international community? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.