This coursebook covers Paper 2, Topic 2, Democratic states – challenges and responses, in the 20th Century World History syllabus for the IB History programme. It is divided into thematic sections, following the IB syllabus structure and is written in clear, accessible English. It covers the following areas for detailed study: Africa: South Africa 1991–2000; Americas: United States 1953–73; Asia and Oceania: India 1947– 64; and Europe and Middle East: Weimar Germany 1919–33. The content is tailored to the requirements and assessment objectives of the syllabus and provides opportunities for students to make comparisons between different regions and time periods.