10 Global Problems and Ways to Address Them

The world is a huge place packed with diverse communities, environments and cultures, but we all have one thing in common: we have problems to solve. In many cases, we’re dealing with the same issues, like poverty, gender inequality and climate change. While there are differences in severity, what happens in one part of the world often affects people everywhere. The sooner we realize we’re all connected, the more effective we can be. By working together, we can tackle issues …

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What is a Country? Definition, Facts and Examples

The world is a complex system of governments, cultures, populations, corporations, common and competing interests, and other powerful forces. The borders between countries are just one way to structure the globe, but they are one of the most influential and recognizable. In this article, we’ll explore what a country is, what everyone should know about the world’s countries and examples of what countries can look like. While there is no clear international definition for a “country,” it is generally defined …

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Direct Democracy 101: Meaning, Facts, Examples

Who holds the most power in society? Who decides what laws and policies govern our lives? In direct democracy, the people exercise the most power. With roots in ancient history, direct democracy is a system where citizens vote on every issue that affects their lives. There are currently no true direct democracies, but many countries weave pure democratic processes into their systems. In this article, we’ll explore the meaning of direct democracy, present the most important facts, and describe modern …

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Ambassadorships 101: Meaning, Facts, FAQs

Ambassadorships are the highest-ranking posts for diplomat officials. Known as ambassadors, these officials represent their home country’s interests while living in a host country. They’re vital to communication and negotiation between the states, and so enjoy certain privileges and protections not granted to other non-citizens. In this article, we’ll get into a more thorough definition of an ambassadorship, present five of the most important facts, and answer five of the most frequently asked questions. What is an ambassadorship?  Ambassadors are …

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Conflict Theory 101: Founder, Examples, Learning Opportunities

Humans have been in conflict for as long as they’ve existed. It can be on a very small scale (conflict between coworkers) or a massive scale (war). How does conflict work? Where does it come from? Conflict theory, which was founded on the ideas of Karl Marx, teaches that conflict comes from competition for resources and power. Unless systems completely change, society stays locked in an eternal battle between different groups, and inequality is a guarantee. In this article, we’ll …

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What is G7? Purpose, History and Influence

In 1973, finance ministers from West Germany, France, the UK, and the United States met in a library in the White House. This small group of four soon expanded into an intergovernmental forum known as “G7” or the Group of Seven. At its yearly summits, the G7 discusses the global economy, governance issues, international security, energy policy, and more. In this article, we’ll explore the purpose of the G7, its decades-long history, and the complicated influence it has on the …

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What Are the Safest Cities in the World?

There are safety concerns in any city, but certain cities have done an excellent job improving conditions for residents and travelers. The world’s top five safest cities are Copenhagen, Toronto, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo. Whether you’re moving or traveling to a new city, safety is one of the most important concerns. Many cities have a bad reputation because of crime rates, dangerous traffic, poor digital security, and other environmental factors, but what are the safest cities in the world? In …

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The 15 Most Useful Languages to Learn

There are a lot of skills needed in the field of international relations. Good communication is one of them, and while that refers to skills like active listening, it can also include knowing different languages. If you’re interested in working or living abroad, odds are you’ll need to know at least one language that’s not your mother tongue. What are the most useful languages to learn? Here are 15 examples: #1. English If you’re reading this article, you’re reading in …

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Representative Democracy 101: Types, Examples, Criticism

Democracy is a form of government where citizens have the power to create the kind of society they want. In a direct democracy, everyone is responsible for creating and passing laws, but in an indirect democracy – also known as a representative democracy – citizens elect people who represent them in government. How does representative democracy work? In this article, we’ll explore the main types of representative democracy, give examples of countries using representative democracy, and present criticisms of this …

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NATO vs EU: What Are The Differences?

NATO (The North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the EU (European Union) are two of the most important treaty-based organizations in Europe. Both are headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, but they have key differences in their purposes, structure, membership, and funding. In this article, you’ll learn what those differences are, as well as what NATO and EU do and how they work together. NATO and the UN are both treaty-based organizations, but NATO is a military defense and security intergovernmental organization while …

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