SS-Mayflower

2008-11-03T08:41:00.001-08:00

I am thankful that

a. I am blessed with a wonderful group of students who can think.

b. I am blessed with students who are hardworking

c. they believe in themselves and place their trust in an Ess.

Most important of all I am thankful to God that He gave us the wisdom to be able to focus on the right thing in life.

Ad maiorem Dei gloriam

2008-11-02T15:41:00.000-08:00

Final Notes from the Ess

We have done our best. Remember this is a THINKING paper. Stop and think before you even start to write.

What happen if all you study did not come out?

Use common sense Do NOT Panic

What happen if all you study come out?

Panic

For you will be tempted to show off and tell the examiner how much you know and so will not stduy the question and answer the question. You will aslo spend too much time on one question and no time for the rest.

Remember this

Paper start at 2.30 p.m.

2.35 p.m. to start 1 a

2.45 p.m. to start 1 b

2.55 p.m. to start 1c

3.05 p.m. to start 1d

By 3.15 p.m. must start SEQ (a)

By 3.45 p.m. start the second SEQ (b)

Singapore challenges

2008-11-02T01:38:00.000-07:00

1. Short Term --- to keep the economy humming along and to look after low income earner

2.Medium Term --- focus on how to produce enough Singaporean babies and to attract foreign talent

3. Long Term --- Singapore has to renew its political leadership and build up a sense of identity

P.M. Lee Hsien Loong

Use it in any way you can

2008-11-02T00:09:00.001-07:00

1. Cold War

The Cold War refers to the political, ideological and economic rivarlry that emerged after World War II betwen US and its allies and the Soviet Union and its allies.

It is one of the reason for the causes of conflict. e.g. will be the Korea War bettwen North and South Korea. (Can be used for causes for conflict Textbook. pg 163)

2. The COD Wars

The Cod Wars, also called the Iceland Cod Wars were a series of confrontations in the 1970s between the United Kingdom and Iceland regarding fishing rights in the North Atlantic. The name of the conflict may be derived from a pun on the term "Cold War", possibly via the British tabloid press (Can be used for causes for conflict Textbook. pg 161)

3. Peacekeeping Force

Peacekeeping, as defined by the United Nations, is "a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace."[1] It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking.
Peacekeepers monitor and observe peace processes in post-conflict areas and assist ex-combatants in implementing the peace agreements they may have signed. Such assistance comes in many forms, including confidence-building measures, power-sharing arrangements, electoral support, strengthening the rule of law, and economic and social development. Accordingly UN peacekeepers (often referred to as Blue Beret because of their light blue berets or helmets) can include soldiers, civilian police officers, and other civilian personnel.

4. Armed Conflict

War and armed conflict are often treated as synonymous terms. War can be describedas the extreme form of armed conflict and usually takes place between states. Armedconflict implies the pursuit of objectives through violence. The Red Cross definition ofarmed conflict is: “any difference between two states leading to the intervention of themembers of the armed forces is an armed conflict.”

5.1964 Racial Riots

The 1964 Race Riots were a series of riots that took place in Singapore during two separate periods in July and September between Chinese and Malay groups. The first incident occurred on 21 July during a Malay procession that marked Muhammad's birthday. In total, the violence killed 36 people and injured another 556. About 3,000 people were arrested. The riots are also known as the Prophet Muhammad Birthday Riots, 1964 Racial Riots, and 1964 Sino-Malay Riots. At that time, Singapore was a state in the Federation of Malaysia. (Can be used for Managing perceptions of different racial groups Textbook. pg 137)

6. The Maria Hertogh Riots

The Maria Hertogh riots or Natrah riots, which started on 11 December 1950 in Singapore, consisted of outraged Muslims who resented the court decision to give the custody of Maria Hertogh (or Bertha Hertogh), then 13, to her biological Dutch Catholic parents after she had been raised as a Muslim under the care of Aminah binte Mohamed, whom she regarded as her mother. The riots lasted till noon on 13 December, with 18 killed, 173 injured and many properties damaged – the worst incident of its kind ever witnessed in Singapore.[dubious – discuss]
Prior to the riots, the disputed custody of Maria had received widespread press coverage. Many Muslims living in Malaya and Indonesia believed in the legitimacy of the adoption of Maria and a later short-lived marriage to Mansoor Adabi, two major points of contest in the court proceeding to determine the custody of Maria. They thus lent their support, financial and moral, to organizations that fought to keep Maria in Malaya. But some, such as the Malayan nationalists, seized the incident as an opportunity to further weaken the colonial government's position in the region. The insensitivity of the colonial government towards Muslim sentiments and the involvement of radical elements eventually culminated in the tragedy. (Can be used for Managing perceptions of different religious groups Textbook. pg 139)

Very Important.

2008-11-01T20:14:00.000-07:00

We need to get the following concepts clear.

Racial Harmony IS NOT the same as National Identity which IS NOT the same as Ethnic Diversity.

For example, in Sri Lanka there is ethnic diversity. It is so strong that the Sinhalese and Tamil could nt see eye to eye. So there is no racial harmony. When there is no racial harmony it will lead to conflict.

In Singapore, there is ethnic diversity. We do not force the Chinese to be Malay or India to be Chinese. Yet there is racial harmony because we accept each other. For example. during the seven month the Chinese burn alot of paper and joss stick but the other races accept this.They do not say it is air pollution. The Malaya prays five time a day and the mosque will call the Malays to pray but we do not say it is noise pollution. On Friday the school ends at 12.30 to allow the Malays to pray. So there is no need for us to fight like the Sinhalese and Tamil in Sri Lanka.

Social Harmony --- Different group living peacefully together.

To develop social harmony develop common space

to develop common space have

1.events and programmes organised by grassroots organisation (Textbk 149)
2.Opportunities offered by educational institution(TextBk 150)
3.Common living space provided by public housing.(TextBk 151)
4. Activities conducted by Inter-Racial Confidence Circles(IRCC) amd Harmony Circles(HCs)(TextBk 152)
5.Shared experience through National Services.(TextBk 153)

Once we have developed common space we can have racial harmony.

But having racial harmony does not mean that there will be ethnic diversity.

must safeguard the interests of the minority groups to have or promote ethnic diversity

1.minority representation(TextBk 147)

2.self-help group.(TextBk 148)

To build a National Identity

1. multi-racialism(Textbk 145)

2.common practices (146)

3.bilingualism (146)

Now to manage ethnic diversity we must have

1.Develop common space

2.safe guard the interest of the minority

3.to build national identity

e.g. Mrs Ess is a Chinese married to a Eurasian. She celebrate Chinese New Year and Christmas. She speaks Chinese and English. This is ethnic diversity. I am free to be a Chinese and marry a Eurasian

However I am a Singaporean first and I will help any Singapore. Mr Gana a Tamil is my good friend. He also see himself as a Singaporean. Together we will work for the progress of Singapore. This is national identity.

Social Cohesion is when all races are allowed to freely practice their religion and culture and other race accept these practices.The races are willing to work together.

In other words, I am a Chinese(ethnic diversity) working in a Singapore School (National Identity) teaching all the students -- Indian,Malay, Chinese Eurasian. (social cohesion)

Proud to be Singaporean with Chinese mother, Eurasian father, Indonesian grandfather, India grandmother.

Notice the different skin tone of Mrs Ess's children.Some are darker, some are lighter all equally important to her regardless of the skin colour

Principle of good governance

2008-11-01T19:33:00.001-07:00

Read the following article and see if you can find the principles of good governance.

Marina Barrage

Singapore's Latest Water Icon

Built across the mouth of the Marina Channel, the Marina Barrage creates Singapore’s 15th reservoir, and the first in the heart of the city. With a catchment area of 10,000 hectares, or one-sixth the size of Singapore, the Marina catchment is the island’s largest and most urbanised catchment. Together with two other new reservoirs, the Marina Reservoir will boost Singapore’s water catchment from half to two-thirds of the country's land area.

The Marina Barrage is the result of Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's vision nearly two decades ago when he envisaged damming the mouth of the Marina Channel to create a freshwater reservoir. (What principles of good governance is this?)

3-in-1 Benefits
Water Supply
Flood Control
Lifestyle Attraction

Water Supply
The Marina Barrage is a 350-meter wide dam built across the Marina Channel to keep out seawater, forming Singapore’s first reservoir in the city and 15th reservoir. Marina Reservoir combines with the future Punggol and Serangoon reservoirs will increase Singapore's water catchment areas from half to two-thirds of Singapore's land areas.

With the barrage in place, the Marina Basin will turn into a body of freshwater through natural flushing in one two to years. The freshwater will then be treated using advanced membrane technology before consumption.

Local catchment water is one of the Four National Taps, with the other three being imported water, NEWater and desalinated water.

As one of the pillars of local water supply, Marina Reservoir will meet more than 10% of Singapore’s current water demand.

Flood Control

The Marina Barrage is part of a comprehensive flood control scheme to alleviate flooding in the low-lying areas in the city such as Chinatown, Boat Quay, Jalan Besar and Geylang.

During heavy rain, the series of nine crest gates at the dam will be activated to release excess storm water into the sea when the tide is low.
In the case of high tide, giant pumps which are capable of pumping an Olympics-size swimming pool per minute will drain excess storm water into the sea.

Lifestyle Attraction

As the water in the Marina Basin is unaffected by the tides, its water level will be kept constant all year round. This is ideal for all kinds of recreational activities such as boating, windsurfing, kayaking and dragonboating etc.

answer: Anticipate change and stay relevant. Principle of being forward looking.

2008-11-01T19:13:00.000-07:00

The following are TWO strategies to overcome challenges of globalisation:
i. Managing resources efficiently
ii. Venturing abroad

Which is more important in ensuring Singapore's future economic developments? Explain your answer.

Issue: Singapore's future economic development
Given Factor :
a.Managing resources efficiently
b.Venturing abroad

Rank:
Primary Factor:
Venturing abroad as Singapore is too small to depend on herself. Economic development has to be generated by participating in a globalised world economy.
Secondary Factor:

Managing resources efficiently is also important as Singapore is a small country with limited land,people and water. If these resources are not managed efficiently, then it will not be a good environment for economic development. But being able to manage the environment alone is not sufficient to ensure economic development.

Singapore still need to depend on other countries like China, Japan and United State to sustain her economic development. This is because she has to sell her goods and services to these countries.

Suggested answer.

Several important strategies have been used in ensuring Singapore's future economic developments. Two of these strategies are to manage her resources effectively and venturing abroad.

One of the ways to manage Singapore resources effectively is to develop Singapore human resources. In a globalising world, business competition will increase, it is critical to train a pool of entrepreneurs to venture beyond the boundary of the country. This can help to create more business and trade opportunity for the country's industry. This can prevent the nation from becoming stagnant.

Another way is to ensure that the workforce must be trained and retrained in order for them to remain competitive in the global economy where businesses are getting more mobile. This is critical as it ensure that they remain relevant in the ever changing economy.

Meanwhile the country must continue to try to attract foreign talent. This would help to ensure a ready of experts to be employed in the different industry. The foreign contact which they bring can help to create more business opportunities.

Beside managing the human resources, we must also ensure that the physical environment is well managed. The physical condition of the nation must be maintain in order to continue to attractive to foreign investment. For example, built across the mouth of the Marina Channel, the Marina Barrage creates Singapore’s 15th reservoir, and the first in the heart of the city. With a catchment area of 10,000 hectares, or one-sixth the size of Singapore, the Marina catchment is the island’s largest and most urbanised catchment. Together with two other new reservoirs, the Marina Reservoir will boost Singapore’s water catchment from half to two-third's of the country's land area.In this way Singapore need not depend on Malaysia solely for her water needs.

Although managing Singapore resources is a necessary strategy for Singapore future economic development, it is not a sufficient condition. She still has to venture abroad.

Singapore can invest in their neighbouring countries so as to tap on the lower labour costs and new market . For example, Singapore has developed several industrial parks in India, Vietnam and China so that Singapore's business can tap of these countries cheaper resources. In this way, Singapore's economic development can be ensured as the business continue to grow.

Another way it to have cooperation with other countries like forming partnership with other nations which can further strengthen relationship between the nations. Hence, promoting further growth between the 2 countries. One method is to sign Free Trade Agreement with countries like China, New Zealand and Australia. It can help open up more trade and business opportunities for the companies in both partnering countries. These investment can ensure long term growth. The spread of investments across the world would help to ensure that the country's economic growth is maintained even if the markets and investment in one particular region are weakened.

Ultimately, Singapore must always look to the world for her future economic development as her domestic market is too small to sustain her economic growth.Therefore venturing abroad is a more important strategies then managing her resources effectively. Even in her desire to manage her human resources effectively, she still has to venture abroad to attract foreign talent, train entrepreneurs to venture beyond the boundary of the country.Therefore I believe that venturing abroad is the more important strategy.

2008-11-01T19:12:00.000-07:00

Dear students,

For SBQ: Remember to READ ALL Sources before you start to answer the Questions.Once 45 minutes is up you must start SEQ.Each SEQ is 20 min. Underline the factors and give issue.

I have written many suggested answers.
The worst you can do is to remember and learnt by heart these answers.

You must just read and understand why i choose one factor/reason or causes above the other.

You are free to disagree with me and choose other factors/reason or causes as long as you can give a reason why your choice is better then mine.

You will be shock at how short my answers are. Remember you have 20 minutes for each SEQ and you must give yourself time to THINK. So what the examiner wants is your you to show that you can THINK.. So P.E.E.L. Make your point. explain your point, provide an example for your point and most important of all LINK back to the issue.

For each question, I have showed that I link back to the issue.I also write down
Issue:
Given Factor
Alternative Factor

So that I will not be out of point.

Remember P.E.E.L. for SEQ

For SBQ.
1. for inference question ICE the POA.
2. Ying Yang for Usefulness, proof and reliability
3. Weighing scale for compare and contrast

Study this SBQ http://comhumss.blogspot.com/2008/10/sbq-on-un.html which i have identified the ICE,PAO YingYang and weighing scale.

Remember purpose words
1. to inspire, to motivate, to persuade,
2. to scold, to argue, to discredit, to make fun, to poke fun
3. to draw attention to, to explain, to informed

Outcome words
1.To reinforce the writer's view
2. to change audience's view
3. to achieve his purpose of....
4. to make audience support his point of view
5. to make audienec take action
Good luck.

Sustaining Economic Development

2008-11-01T18:34:00.000-07:00

How far was the economic impact of globalisation an important benefit to the world? Explain your answer. [12]

Issue : What benefit does globalisation brings to the world?
Given Factor: Economic impact of globalisation
Alternative Factor: Social impact

Globalisation is a double-edged sword. The forces of globalisation will bring about several impacts. These impact can produce both benefit and problems.

The economic impact of globalisation can bring about important benefit to the world. With globalisation, it brings about greater amount of trade and industrial development. This would help to create employment opportunities thereby reduce problems caused by unemployment. Many countries can also enjoy increased in their income levels. As countries generate more revenue, the money collected can be channelled to improvement in education, health, defence, housing and transportation for the people in the country. The standard of living for the people would improve. In this heighten competitive world, countries would work to remain competitive in this global world. In the process of improving its competitiveness, the people would also get to enjoy the improvements made in the country.

Apart from producing economic impact,globalisation will also bring about social impact which can also bring about benefit to the world. With increase in globalisation, people become more aware of different cultures. Through the different media, one can learn about the history, culture and way of life of people around the world Globalisation creates opportunities for the world to interact. This helped to create opportunity for greater understanding, appreciation and integration of the different cultures in the world. In the long run, it would helped to encourage world peace where people around the world will see beyond their differences. Therefore the social impact of globalisation can also bring about benefit to the world.

Apart these two impacts, globalisation can also bring about environmental impact. Due to globalisation brought about an increase in environmental degradation. However, due to increase in globalisation has also helped to increase a global awareness of environmental management
More countries are looking at seeking alternative energy sources, such as wind, solar and geothermal energy to provide for the energy it needed. In this was teh environmental impact of globalisation can also benefit the world.

Utimately, it is difficult to seperate the benefit in to economic, socail and environmentl impact. Globalisation will bring important benefit to the world.

Understanding Governance

2008-10-31T18:30:00.000-07:00

(a) How far were concerns over Singapore's defence needs an important reason for the change in population policies in the 1980s? Explain your answer. [12]

Issue : change in population policies in the 1980's
Reasons for change in population policy:
1.concern over Singapore's defence
2. unattractive to Transnational Companies
3. aging population.

Rank: All three reasons play important role and contribute to the change in population policies in the 1980's. But population planning in Singapore has always been linked to economic planning. Therefor the main reasons for the change in population in the 1980's was because Singapore's small population was unattractive to Transnational Companies.

Population planning in Singapore has always been linked to economic planning. The “stop at 2” population policy of 1965–87 was designed to support the economic plans to improve the quality of life of the people. But 1983, however, Singapore switched from this "stop at two" policy to“have 3 or more if you can afford it” policy.

Concerns over Singapore's defence needs was an important reason for the change in population policies in the 1980s but it is not the only one. Singapore is dependent on its own people to provide sufficient manpower for its military defence force. Due to the limited human resources, all able-bodied Singaporean men are required to serve in the nation as part of National Service. With fewer births, it would mean that there will fewer men to recruit for National Service. This would compromise Singapore’s military forces. In turn, it would weaken our defence forces. However with the use of better technology and better training, we have partily overcome this problem. We now need less man in the army but the defence ability has not been compromised. Therefore, concern over Singapore's defence need contribute to the change in population policy but it is not the main reason.

Another reason for the change in population policy is the concern of the ageing population. With fewer babies born each year, there would be fewer young people in the population.Yet at the same time the number of older people would be proportionately larger.This means that the country would be faced with an aging population. Therefor more resources would have to used to take care of the increasing number of senior citizens. At the same time, it would meant that there would be greater strain on the younger ones to support the elderly. The government may have to increase taxes in order to support and provide for the greater number of elderly. Therefore one solution is to encourage large family so that the children will look after the old and not depend on the governmnet. So the concern with aging population is another reason for the change in population.

Although these two reasons, concern for the defence of Singaore and aging population are important, I feel that the most important reason is the concern that TNC has with a small population.

With the success of the stop at two population, there was a decline in Singapore population in the 1980s she became unattractive to transnational companies(TNC). With a shrinking population, it would be translated to limited labour pool. This would in turn result in a situation which could suggest that Singapore would be less likely to produce enough talented people to sustain its development. With less suitable candidates for the TNCs to employ, TNCs may find it difficult to and perhaps more expensive to recruit Singaporeans. This would drive possible investors away from Singapore to countries with a larger labour pool, such as China. This situation can have a dire effect on Singapore’s economic and national development in the long run. Hence, there is a need for Singapore to reverse the population trend, to encourage more births.

The neeed to stay attractive for the TNC is the most imporatnt reason as population planning in Singapore has always been linked to economic planning. If Singapore cannot continue to attract TNC to Sinagpore, it will affect the economic growth and developemnt of Singapore. This will have an impact on Singaore's ability to defence herself and her ability to look after the aging population. With slower economic growth, she will not have the ability to do both.

Therefor the main reasons for the change in population in the 1980's was because Singapore's small population was unattractive to Transnational Companies. If she can increrase her population, she will be able to remain attractive to the TNC which inturn will enavle her to look after the aging population and her defence.

2008-10-31T18:20:00.000-07:00

(a) The following are TWO principles of governance:
i. ‘Anticipate change and stay relevant’
ii. ‘A stake for everyone, opportunity for all’
Which is more important in ensuring good governance in Singapore? Explain your answer. [13]

Issue: good governance in Singapore

Factors: (a) Anticipate change and stay relevant
(b) A stake for everyone, opportunity for all

As Singapore is a very small country, she cannot afford to make any mistake. Good governance in Singapore is needed so as to help Singapore face new challenges.

One of the principle of good governance is to anticipate change and stay relevant. Decisions made by the government need to be forward looking.
The government needs to plan and implement policies that would meet the needs of the people in the future and not wait for problems to arise and react to it. For example, NEWater, was introduced to Singaporeans way in advance, prior to the cessation of the contract between Singapore and Malaysia. It allows Singapore to be free and independent in acquiring new water supply. This would ensure that Singapore would not be vulnerable to changes in other countries. By adopting this principle of governance, Singapore will always stay ahead of the rest in the region.In this way, being able to anticipate change and staying relevant will help Singapore to have good governance.

However another important principle of good governance is to ensure that there is a stake for everyone and opportunities for all.Opportunities are made available to all Singaporeans to be more involve in the decision making process in the country. Such actions by the government help to encourage and develops a greater sense of belonging to the country. For example, in 2004, the government consulted the people on the issue of having a casino as part of the integrated resort. There were mixed reaction from the people on ground. The government made considerations into the concerns raised and act upon the issues to address the people's concerns. This action by the government which takes into account the people's feeling and concern helped Singaporeans to recognise their power in the decision making process. With more committed citizens who believe in their government suggest that it would a lot easier to govern the nation. Therefore by ensureing that there is a stake for everyone and opportunities for all, good governance is maintained in Singapore.

I feel that anticipate change and stay relevant is a more important principle then providing a stake for everyone, opportunity for all. Before the government can provide a stake for everyone, the government must ensure that Singapore can face new challeng and thereby continue to grow. In order to ensure that economic development and growth can continue, she has be able to anticipate changes and stay relevent. Once this is done, she is able to anticipate problems, solve them and thereby allow Singaporean to own a part of Singapore. Only when this is done, can we offer opportunities for all to participate in the growth of Singapore.

However even though a stake for everyone, opportunity for all is a secondary principle, it is still important. The governmnet must be seen to be fair, not favouring any group of people. It must be able to get everyone to work together.

In conclusion both principles should be developed in order for Singapore to progress but the ability to anticipate change and staying relevant needs to be developed first.

What to focus on? the Million dollar question.

2008-10-30T22:52:00.000-07:00

Notes from the Ess

Recommendation.

Remember for SEQ you need only answer ONE question.

Below are all the themes for the ss syllabus.They are

1.Singapore as a nation in the world

2.Understanding Governance

3.Conflict and Harmony in Multi Ethnic society

4.Managing International Relations

5.Sustaining Economic development

6.Facing Challenges and Changes

Since theme one is very important, it is not examined. No question will be tested on that. BUT you must read up on that.

You need to study three themes in order to be able to answer that one question.

When I say study three themes, I mean everything inside each theme. YOU CANNOT AFFORD to drop any sub theme.

I recommend theme 2,4,5. so even if 3 and 6 come out, you can still do the last question which must be from 2,4 or 5 right?

Of course you are free to select other combination like 2,3,4 or 4,5,6 or 2,3,5

Just as long as you study three themes you will be able to answer a least ONE question which is what is required in the exam.

REMEMBER:

1.NO Short Cut

2.Study everything within the theme.

3.Reader beware: I am not responsible for your selection of themes. That responsibility lies in your hand.

Click on the label on the blog to go to eachparticular theme

Theme 1. SINGAPORE AS A NATION IN THE WORLD

New nations face political, social and economic challenges to survive and progress in the international community. They need to stay alert and nimble in responding to these challenges. Singapore tries to overcome these challenges through the leadership and common will of its people and by working with other nations.

How do nations come into being and what challenges do they face?

Nationhood and Its Challenges

• What is a nation?

• Challenges faced by new nations such as Singapore

- national identity

- stable government

- social cohesion

- economic development

- defence and security

- diplomacy

Students will be able to:

• explain the concept of nationhood

• discuss challenges faced by new nations

• understand the unique challenges Singapore faced as a newly- independent nation

This theme provides the backdrop for the understanding of subsequent themes and sets Singapore in the context of the world. This theme is non-examinable.

Theme 2.UNDERSTANDING GOVERNANCE

Good governance determines the viability, development and progress of nations. Guided by a set of principles, policies are formulated and implemented to meet the needs of the people and nation. Understanding governance enables us to be aware of the complexities of decision-making in a society and world that faces rapid change.

Why is governance important?

2.1 Policy Process: Formulation and Implementation

2.1.1• Meeting the needs of the people and nation, using the transport policy as an example to examine:

- principles of governance

- roles and responsibilities of the legislature, executive and judiciary

- role of media and feedback channels in the policy process

2.1.2• Case study of Singapore’s population policies to examine policy changes over time

- population policies from the 1970s to the 21st century

- challenges of and responses to ageing population and declining birth rate

2.2.Similar Problems, Different Approaches

2.2.1• A comparative study of public health care policies in Singapore and United Kingdom

- how policies work in different countries

- impact of policies on society and nation

Students will be able to:

• understand the significance of government structure

• recognise the importance of principles of governance in policy formulation and implementation

• evaluate the role of communication channels in policy-making

• recognise that policies change to meet changing needs of society and nation

• recognise that different governments adopt different approaches to solve similar problems

• evaluate the effectiveness of the policies in meeting the health care needs of the people and nation

Theme 3.CONFLICT AND HARMONY IN MULTI-ETHNIC SOCIETIES

Different ethnic, religious and cultural groups contribute to the diversity and richness of multi-ethnic societies. However, it is important to be vigilant against the forces of divisiveness that cause conflict and disintegration of societies. Common bonds should be strengthened to unite the people as a nation

Why is harmony in a multi-ethnic society important to the development and viability of a nation?

3.1 Discord and Disunity

3.1.1• Case studies of Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland

i. - causes of conflict among ethnic and religious groups

ii. - manifestations of conflicts

iii. - impact of conflicts on political, social and economic development

iv. - efforts to resolve the conflicts

3.2 Social Cohesion and Harmony

3.2.1• Case study of Singapore

3.2.1.1- internal and external threats e.g. Race Riots in Singapore, terrorism

3.2.1.2- managing ethnic diversity and its challenges

i. addressing the needs of the different ethnic groups e.g. policy of minority representation

ii. integrating the ethnic groups in society e.g. forging national identity, developing common space

3.2.2• benefits of a harmonious multi-ethnic society

Students will be able to:

• explain why conflicts exist among different ethnic and religious groups

• analyse the political, economic and social impact of ethnic and religious conflicts on the people and nation

• value the need for non-violent approaches like negotiation, mediation and cooperation in resolving conflicts

• explain the internal and external threats to Singapore’s harmony

• recognise the need for ethnic and religious sensitivities and tolerance
• explain how social cohesion and racial and religious harmony can be achieved in a multi-ethnic society

• appreciate living in a multi-ethnic society

Theme 4.MANAGING INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Conflicts among nations exist as countries strive to safeguard their national interests. When deterrent and diplomatic measures fail to resolve conflicts, war can result. World and regional organisations like the United Nations play crucial roles in resolving conflict among nations. World security is further complicated by new threats such as transnational terrorism which is a challenge to all nations in achieving peace and prosperity.

How important is deterrence and diplomacy in maintaining international relations among nations?

4.1 Why Conflicts Exist among Nations

• Causes of international conflicts

4.2 How Singapore Ensures its National Security

• Singapore’s two-pronged approach of deterrence and diplomacy:

4.2.1Deterrence:

i.Total Defence strategy

ii.professional and citizen armed force

iii.defence industries

iv.joint military exercises with other nations

v.multi-agency coordination on security

4.2.2Diplomacy:

i.bilateral and multi-lateral relations

ii. membership in regional and international organisations e.g. ASEAN and UN

4.3 How Conflict in One Region can Affect the Rest of the World

4.3.1• Case Study of Iraq-Kuwait Conflict (1990-91)

- causes of conflict

- role of UN

- impact on the rest of the world

4.3.2• Transnational Terrorism: A new threat to world security

- impact on world and national security

- measures to deal with transnational terrorism

Students will be able to:

• understand why conflicts exist among nations

• recognise the need for a two-pronged approach of deterrence and diplomacy
• explain the need to be self-reliant for Singapore’s security
• recognise the need for coordination among agencies to maintain a high level of vigilance

• understand the role and relevance of regional and international organisations, particularly to small countries
• recognise the importance of international cooperation

analyse causes of conflict

• evaluate role of UN

• evaluate impact of conflict on nations involved and the rest of the world.

• recognise terrorism as a growing challenge to world security
• examine the measures undertaken to deal with transnational terrorism
• understand the impact of terrorism on world and national security

Theme 5. SUSTAINING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Globalisation of the world economy presents new challenges and opportunities to nations. Adopting proactive and effective strategies to remain economically competitive would help the nations to develop and progress in an increasingly competitive world economy.

How do nations sustain their economic development in a globalised world?

5.1 Sustaining Economic Development in a Globalised World

5.1.1• Globalisation and its challenges and opportunities

- scarcity of resources

- globalisation and its effects on national and world economies

- competition for investment and markets e.g. industrial parks, port and air services

- effects on employment and competition for talent

- balancing economic development with environmental management e.g. air pollution and tourism industry in Southeast Asia

5.1.2• Singapore’s strategies for economic development in a globalised world

i. - diversifying the economy

a.manufacturing and services as twin engines of growth e.g. bio-medical research and education

b.venturing abroad e.g. Singtel

ii.- nurturing growth of SMEs e.g. financial assistance

iii.- expanding market reach through economic cooperation e.g. Free Trade Agreements

iv.- managing resources

a.optimising human capital e.g. continuous learning and training, developing innovation and enterprise; attracting and retaining talent

b.optimising landuse e.g. Jurong Island and Downtown Marina projects

Students will be able to:

• understand how scarce resources affect national and world economies
• explain how globalisation creates opportunities and challenges for nations
• understand how environmental management is necessary to ensure economic growth

• explain the need for diversification and establishment of niche industries to maintain competitive edge
• understand the importance of foreign ventures

• appreciate that not all ventures are successful
• recognise that risk-taking is needed for economic growth
• recognise the role of SMEs in economic development
• understand the importance of economic cooperation with other countries
• evaluate the importance of managing resources

Theme 6. FACING CHALLENGES AND CHANGE

Nations that survive and succeed are those that are able to face challenges and develop into viable entities. However, failure to respond to the changing global landscape over time may result in a nation fading into obscurity

What can nations learn from the rise and fall of Venice as a city-state?
Overcoming the Odds and Fading into Obscurity

• Case study of Venice

- factors that led to the rise of Venice e.g. good statesmanship, enterprising spirit

- factors that led to the decline and fall of Venice e.g. corrupt leaders, complacent society, failure to respond to new changes

− lessons for nations

Students will be able to:

• understand how Venice achieved prosperity

• evaluate the factors responsible for the decline and fall of Venice

• draw lessons that nations can learn from the rise and decline of Venice

SBQ :Issue: Effectiveness of United Nations in carrying out its aims

2008-10-30T05:52:00.000-07:00

Study the sources carefully, and then answer all the questions.

You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions, in addition to those sources which you are told to use. In answering the questions you should use your knowledge of the topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources.

1 (a) Study Source A.

What does Source A tells you about UN's commitment to its aims? Explain your answer. [5]

(b) Study Source B.
How useful is Source B in aiding your understanding of the effectiveness of UN? Explain your answer. [7]

(c) Study Source C.
Does Source C prove that UN has the support of the international community? Explain your answer. [6]

(d) Study Source D and E.
Evaluate the differences between Source D and E. [7]

Issue: Effectiveness of United Nations in carrying out its aims

Background
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achieving world peace. The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II to stop wars between countries and to provide a platform for dialogue.
There are currently 192 member states, including nearly every recognized independent state in the world. From its headquarters on international territory in New York City, the UN and its specialized agencies decide on substantive and administrative issues in regular meetings held throughout the year. The organization is divided into administrative bodies, primarily:
The General Assembly (the main deliberative assembly);
The Security Council (decides certain resolutions for peace and security);
The Economic and Social Council (assists in promoting international economic and social cooperation and development);
The Secretariat (provides studies, information, and facilities needed by the UN);
The International Court of Justice (the primary judicial organ).
Additional bodies deal with the governance of all other UN System agencies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Source A An abstract from an interview with Lord Robertson, Chairman of the Commission for Global Road Safety, which proposed a global ministerial conference to United Nations.

I am delighted that the UN has today recognised the scale of human suffering and economic loss caused by road traffic deaths and injuries [by approving the proposal]. Now we must ensure that the UN Conference is not just another talking shop, but secures real commitments and takes real action to reverse the tide of global road deaths.

Source B An Abstract from The Times, “Bush deploys hawk as new UN envoy”, dated 8th March 2005

Bush nomination of John Bolton as US Ambassador to the United Nations is seen by many as an aggressive move. Mr Bolton once said:“There is no such thing as the United Nations. There is only the international community, which can only be led by the only remaining superpower, which is the United States." He also stated that "The [UN] Secretariat building in New York has 38 stories. If you lost ten stories today, it wouldn't make a bit of difference."

Source C An abstract of a report on a public poll conducte.d for BBC World Service by international polling company GlobeScan published on World Public Opinion’s website dated 24 January 2006

In 30 of the 32 countries polled, a majority (23 countries) rated the United Nations as having a positive influence. On average 59 percent rated the United Nations as having a positive influence, while just 16 percent rated it as having a negative influence.
However, among the 19 countries that were polled in December 2004 and again in the current poll, the percentage giving the U.N. a positive rating is down an average of 10 points.

Source D An abstract from an article taken from a blog in response to the controversies surrounding UN

Haitian underage girls are now paying for taking help from the UN. They have been sexually exploited by Sri Lankan UN peace-keepers for less than $1. Haitian feminists have now woken up to the problem and are demanding inquires by the UN. Olga Benoit of Haitian Women’s Solidarity recalls another case involving two Pakistani soldiers about two years ago. These men in uniform had raped a mentally challenged woman whom they were supposed to protect.
Poor girls in this horribly impoverished nation are just cattle for both Haitian men and their foreign protectors. Excessively patriarchal Haiti chooses to look the other way when girls are exploited. After all, a dollar is better than no money at all.

Source E Brazilian UN soldiers help a handicapped child as they distribute food and a program of music to celebrate peace in the Cite Soleil slum of Port-au-Prince, 25 April 2007

Try to check the answer after you have done the question.

Study Source A
What does Source A tells you about UN’s commitment to its aims? Explain your answer. (5)

(Note from the Ess: This set of answer only have ICE Inference Content and Explanation. If you got two ICE it is o.k.)

Source A tells me that UN is committed to its aims of fostering cooperation in international law, economic development, social progress.(Inference) Based on Source A, “UN today recognised the scale of human suffering and economic loss caused by approving the proposal”(Content). This shows that when called for action by the global community, UN will take immediate actions. Hence, showing that UN is committed to its cause. (Explanation)

In addition, from Source A, “UN conference is not just another talking shop, but secures real commitments and takes real action to reverse the tide of global road deaths.”(Content) This shows that UN does try to involve leaders in the world to work together in solving global issues. (Inference +explanation)

Source A shows that UN may sometime falter in carrying out its programme to achieve its aims.(Inference) From Source A, ““UN conference is not just another talking shop, but secures real commitments and takes real action to reverse the tide of global road deaths.”(Content) This shows that sometimes decisions made were not carried out by the member countries. (Explanation)

(Note from the Ess. You can also ICE the POA which means you infer the purpose and get the content and explanation to support your inference. Do not forget the outcome)

The speaker's purpose in saying that he was delighted that the UN has recognised the scale of human suffering is trying to hint (Purpose words) that the UN did not recognised the human suffering in the past. It is said in an ironic tone. He wants the conference to be a real effective (outcome) one instead of "another talking shop" as he does not seems to have enough faith in the UN. He hope that he can" secures real commitments and takes real action to reverse the tide of global road deaths." Therefore Source A tells me that the UN is not totally committed to its aims.

(b) Study Source B
How useful is Source B in aiding your understanding of the effectiveness of UN? Explain your answer. [7]

Yes. Source B is useful in aiding my understanding of the effectiveness of UN. Source B suggests that one of the reasons for UN ineffectiveness was the commitment and support from member countries. From Source B, “Bush nomination of John Bolton to United Nations is seen by many as an aggressive move”. This suggests that one of the problems which UN faces is the support of its member countries. This information suggests that the some of its member countries has its own agenda when sending envoys to UN and they may not be supportive of UN’s stance.

This is further supported by information from Source C, “among 19 countries polled in December 2004 and again in the current poll, the percentage giving the UN a positive rating is down” Since more countries are seeing UN as having a less positive influence. This suggests that they would be less supportive of UN’s actions and decisions. This concurs with that of Source B. Hence, Source B is useful to my understanding of UN limitations.

However, Source B has its limitations. Source B shows comments and reaction from one source. It does not represent the reaction from all member countries. Source B does not represent the extend of UN’s problems.

(Note from the Ess Notice, the Ying Yang (useful and not useful aspect) +cross reference) You must have these three elements to score full marks.

(c)Study Source C. Does Source C prove that UN has the support of the international community? Explain your answer.

(Explain why it does not prove)

No, Source C does not prove that UN has the support of the international community. From Source C, “average 59 percent rated the United Nations as having a positive influence, while just 16 percent rated it as having a negative influence”. This shows that out of the countries polled, there are some which thinks that UN has a negative influence. If these countries do not see UN in a positive light they would be less likely to be supportive of what UN does.

(Cross ref to support)

In addition, cross-referenced against Source D, “Haitian underage girls are now paying for taking help from the UN. They have been sexually exploited by Sri Lankan UN peace-keepers” This shows that UN peacekeepers are not helping the people in need. This agrees with Source C in saying that there are countries which does not see UN as a positive influence. Hence, Source C is unreliable to prove that UN has the support of the international community.

(Explain why it does prove)

However, we can trust Source C that it does prove that UN is getting the support from the international community. As Source C is a factual source, with neutral tone. It does not take side of the UN. It is a report by an international polling company which has no stake in UN. The purpose of the source is to inform the public about the popularity of UN.

(d) Study Source D and E
Evaluate the differences between Source D and E. [7]

Source D and E are similar in identifying the role of the UN peacekeeping troops. (Comparing statement) From Source D, “raped a mentally challenged woman whom they were supposed to protect” and from Source E showing UN soldiers helping a boy by carrying him. Both sources inform us that UN’s role in the countries that they were deployed to is to help the people.

Source D and E are different in assessing the service rendered by UN troops. (comparing statement)

Source D shows that UN peacekeeping troops were a negative addition to the people. From Source D, “they have been sexually exploited by Sri Lankan UN peace-keepers”, these men in uniform had raped a mentally challenged woman whom they were supposed to protect” This shows that instead of helping the people in need, UN soldiers are adding to their misery.

On the other hand, Source E shows that UN soldiers are a positive addition to the people. From Source E, UN soldiers were carrying a handicapped boy. This shows that UN soldiers were doing good in the place that they are helping. Hence, Source D and E are different.

Source D and E are different in their purpose by depicting UN soldiers in different light. (Comparing statement)

Source D’s purpose in to vilify UN soldiers by discussing the ill-behaviours of UN soldiers, the author hopes to highlight the negative behaviours of the soldiers in hope the UN take action against such acts.

On the other hand, Source E is glorifying the works of UN troops by showing UN soldiers doing a good job in the country they are helping. The photographer may be attempting to gather more support for UN.

(Note from the Ess. Notcie the structure of the answer. You have a comparing statement then you find ifnormation in Source D and Source C to support the comparing statement.)

2008-10-30T04:10:00.001-07:00

Do you agree that foreign intervention is more important than economic impact on Sri Lankan government’s desire for peace agreement? Explain your answer

Foreign intervention by India helped to promote peace in Sri Lanka. But this is not the only reason. Economic impact of the conflict is very negative and has caused loss of foreign investment.This has also contributed to the Sri Lanka government's desire for peace.

The Sinhalese-Tamil conflict in Sri Lanka attracted the attention of its neighbour, India. It sent its Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka to mediate in a dialogue between the Sinhalese and the Tamils.

India’s intervention was a serious violation of Sri Lanka’s sovereignty. This is because Sri Lanka is an independent country and she had been forced into certain actions by India against its own wishes, showing that it is not totally in control of its own future. For example, in 1987, the Sri Lankan government was forced by India to sign a peace accord with the LTTE. When the peace accord was broken because the LTTE did not surrender their arms, the Indian government ordered Indian troops into Sri Lanka for peacekeeping. This move resulted in even more violence in the country and prolonged the armed conflict. The Sri Lankan government also felt that it has lost complete independence to act on its own, and thus cease to be in control of its own fate.

All these consequences could have caused the Sri Lankan government to deepen its desire for peace agreement as it hope to regain it independence. In its intervention, the Indian government has also sent its Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka to mediate in the dialogue between the Sinhalese and the Tamils. Although the dialogue failed to end the conflict, it has helped to promote peace by forcing the two sides to discuss their problems.

In the riots and armed struggles caused by the conflict, many people are killed. Those killed are usually breadwinners of families, plunging them into poverty and starvation. The ensuing riots and terrorism also resulted in the destruction of factories and businesses, effectively causing even more employment. This vicious cycle of poverty is made worse by the loss of investments from other countries as in times of instability, investors from other countries may not have the confidence to invest in the country. Foreign investment dropped from US$66 million in 1982 to US$39 million in 1983, and a further decline to US$22 million in 1986.

Tourism, one of Sri Lanka’s major income earners, was also seriously damaged by the violent internal conflict. Tourist arrivals steadily decreased after the July 1983 riots. This resulted in a loss of jobs and a fall in foreign exchange earnings. This in turn, affected the economy adversely. There were also lesser funds to develop amenities and facilities for the people, such as transport and housing.

All the above consequences of the conflict have affected the economy of Sri Lankan negatively and thus increased Sri Lankan government’s desire for peace agreement.

Ultimately there is no single reason that can explain sufficiently the reason why the Sri Lanka government has the desire for peace. Both reasons contributed to the peace process. With India's intervention, the Sri Lanka government realised that if it does not work for peace then India may take matters into their own hands and force a peace settlement. At the same time, the continued conflict has hinder economic growth and development and the government knows that only when there is peace will there be development. Therefore both reasons has contributed to the desire for peace.

(Note from the Ess

You must show how the two factors are dependent on each other and therefore both have equal impact on Sri Lankan government for peace agreement.)

2008-10-30T04:05:00.001-07:00

How far did resettlement of the Sinhalese to the Tamil areas caused the conflict in Sri Lanka? Explain your answer.

Issue : Reasons for the conflict in Sri Lanka

Given Factor : Resettlement of Sinhalese to the Tamil areas

Alternative Factor :
Citizenship rights
Official Language Act

Rank:

The conflict between the Sinhalese and the Tamils has existed since 1948. This is because the Tamils feel that the Sinhalese-dominated government has been unfair to them in various ways.

.g. The government implemented a policy to provide land for the poor Sinhalese peasants. These peasants were transferred from the densely-populated south western and central areas into Tamil areas. However, the Buddhists monks and the Sri Lankan Army came with the other Sinhalese to the Tamil areas to occupy the land. This caused unhappiness because the Tamils now have to compete with the Sinhalese peasants for land as well as jobs and sales of their products. They thus resented the government and began to oppose the government. Many gave their support to the Tamil Tigers in their opposition against the government and this gave rise to the conflict. There was also resentment against the monks and the Sri Lankan Army and this worsened the relationship between the Tamils and the Sinhalese, increasing the tension and the hostility. Therefore resettlement of the Sinhalese to the Tamil areas caused the conflict in Sri Lanka but it is not the only reason.

For example, in 1948, Sri Lanka granted citizenship to only those who were either born in Sri Lanka or those whose fathers and grandfathers are born there. As a result many Indian Tamils found themselves stateless. Though India tried to help them solve this problem, many Indian Tamils continued to remain stateless in the late 1980s. This caused them to be very unhappy as despite their contribution to the economy, they were not given citizenship rights like voting. They thus supported the Tamil Tigers in their opposition against the government and this caused the conflict. Therefore citizenship rights also contribute to the conflict in Sri Lanka.

Under the British rule the language of administration was English and the Tamils held powerful jobs in the government service because of their good command of English which the Sinhalese did not learn well. However, when the 1956 Official Language Act was passed, Sinhalese became the language of administration. The Tamils held a peaceful demonstration which was however disrupted by the supporters of the Sinhala language. This upset the Tamils as they found that they were unable to secure jobs or be promoted in the government service. They also concluded that peaceful means might not work and that violence might be the answer to the problem. Hence they supported the Tamil Tigers and this caused the conflict. So this is yet another reason that contribute to the conflict in Sri Lanka.

The conflict between Sri Lanka has been going on for a very long time. Citizenship rights used to be an important issue but has now became a secondary concern as in 2003, the Sri Lanka passed a bill that grant citizenship rights to the Tamils. Similarly the Official Language Act that brought about so much unhappiness has been partly resolved. This is because the Sri Lanka government has granted greater recognition to the Tamil language by declaring it the national language, the language of administration in the norther and eastern provinces as well as an official language. Therefore these two factors are no longer the most important causes for the conflict as the Sri Lanka government has made effort to resolve the issue.

However, the resettlement of the Sinhalese to the Tamil areas has not been resolved. This resentment that the Tamil feel over the issue of resettlement has continued to contribute to the conflict. Therefore, this resentment is the most important reason for the causes of the conflict.

(Note from the Ess :The answer should not only provide the reasons why it is the most important factor and but also the reasons why the other two factors are not as important or show a correlation between the three factors.

Award 11 marks for explaining why one factor is the most important factor and why one other factor is not as important and 12 marks for explaining why one factor is the most important and why 2 other factors are not as important.)

2008-10-30T01:28:00.001-07:00

(Note from the Ess : This answer is obtained from the specimen papers and mark schemes from the University of Cambridge International Examinations and the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board. Draw your own inference)

Here are three ways in which Singapore can deter aggressors:
it citizen armed force
its defence industry
military co-operation

Which of these is a better way of deterring aggression? Explain your answer.

Issue: Better ways to deter aggressor.

Given factors
i. it citizen armed force
ii. its defence industry
iii. military co-operation

Rank: Both i and ii are equally important as we cannot depend on anyone else for our defence.
Military co-operation is a secondary consideration as today's friends can become tomorrow's enemy.

Singapore is a small country and so the opportunity to attract aggressors is higher as they may think that it is easy to conquer Singapore. Therefore Singapore must have effective and several ways to deter aggressors. She cannot just depend on one deterrence alone. Deterrence refers to measures taken by countries to prevent and protect themselves from threats.

Singapore has a citizen armed forced. In 1967, National Service was introduced and all males over 18 have to do it. This mean they all have military training.

The citizen armed force is an effective way of deterring aggressors. National Services ensures that all able-bodied males receive military training, and even after they have finished their full-time NS, they get more training over the next thirteen years. So in addition to its small regular armed forces, Singapore has a large pool of people who are ready to fight if needed, which means that it is militarily self-reliant, so anyone thinking of attacking us would definitely have to think twice. Therefore having a citizen armed force is one way to deter aggression.

However, Singapore's defence industry is also an important deterrent. We do not want to have to depend on other people for our weapons.We need to be able to make the kinds of equipment that are suitable for our purposes, and to upgrade our equipment like our F5-E fighter jets. Our enemies will then know that whatever happens our forces will be well equipped and will be a formidable opposition to them if they try to attack.

By having a citizen force that has the latest equipments, we would have built up a strong defence force and so it is an effective way of deterring aggression.

However, apart from building up a strong defence force within the country, Singapore also develop friendly ties with the armed forces of other countries. This is done mainly through bilateral and multilateral military agreements, joint military exercises, training programmes and participation in the UN peace mission. These training activities increase cooperation and strengthen ties among the participating countries. In this way, there will be less opportunity for Singapore to come in conflict with other countries which will help to reduce the number of potential aggressors.

Ultimately, having a citizen armed force and having a country's own defence industry are essential and equally important. This is because either one on its own would not be of much use. It is important for Singapore to be self-reliant in both manpower and resources for defence. Having Singapore as soldiers and having Singapore's own weapons will ensure that we have an effective defence force to deter aggression.

Promoting military cooperation plays a secondary and supportive role in deterring aggression because if a country wish to attack Singapore, it will not really take into consideration the past good relationship that it has with Singapore.

Membership in Asean

2008-10-30T01:02:00.001-07:00

(Note from the Ess : This answer is obtained from the specimen papers and mark schemes from the University of Cambridge International Examinations and the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board. Draw your own inference)

To what extent is Singapore's membership of ASEAN due to its wish to promote economic development in the region? Explain your answer.

Issue: Reasons for Singapore to join ASEAN

Given Factor : To promote economic development
Alternative Factor: To promote regional peace and security

Rank:
Primary reason : To promote regional peace and security

Secondary reason : to promote economic development.
There must be peace and prosperity in ASEAN before economic development can take place.

The aims and purposes of the ASEAN are: (1) to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and (2) to promote regional peace and stability.

ASEAN promotes trade between members and encourages outside countries like Japan to invest in the region. Singapore wants to promote economic development in the region because this will increase trade and other forms of economic partnerships, which means there will be more jobs and increase prosperity. An international organization like ASEAN can help countries work together and encourage other countries to invest in the region, so clearly Singapore will want to be a member.

However, this is not the only reason why Singapore is a member of ASEAN.It is really about helping the neighbouring countries in matters of common interest. For example, when the haze situation affected some Southeast Asian countries in 1997, Singapore helped Indonesia in monitoring forest fires through the use of satellite images. By helping Indonesia, Singapore has establish good diplomatic relationship with her neighbours. In this way, regional peace and security can be maintained and even strengthen.

However economic factors and the need to get along with your neighbours are equally important. It stands to reason that if you are enemies with a country, then you will not want to trade with them. So Singapore's membership of ASEAN is not just for one reason. If there is co-operation and friendship between nations on diplomatic matters,then they will be more inclined to share economic interest. Therefore Singapore's membership in ASEAN is due to the twin reason of promoting economic development and regional peace and security.

2008-10-29T08:11:00.001-07:00

“Total Defence is best for Singapore’s defence and security.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

Issue : Singapore’s defence and security

Given Factor : Total Defence

Alternative Factor 1 : Citizen Army

Alternative Factor 2 : Singapore defence Industry

Ranking: All three are equally important. If any one aspect is missing, it will compromise the security and defence of Singapore.

Singapore’s defence and security is vital to her survival as she is a small country.

One way to ensure Singapore’ defence and security is to promote Total Defence. Total Defence comprises of 5 aspects: Military, Civil, Economic, Social and Psychological Defence. It involves the entire population. Civilian population has to be prepared for its defence and security. Singaporeans deter potential aggressors by showing that all Singaporeans are prepared for defence in all areas. This will present a more united front to the outside world and deter them from wanting to attack Singapore as it would be more challenging. In this way Total Defence is good for Singapore’s defence and security.

However, it is not just Total Defence only but a citizen armed force that protected Singapore. When National Service was introduced, all able-bodied male citizens were called up for a part-time or full-time NS. These soldiers were trained and commanded by a small regular force. Singapore had greater security because Singaporeans learn to defend their own country and develop a sense of loyalty, patriotism and a shared destiny. In addition, the citizen armed force of over 350 thousand soldiers which is operationally ready will help to deter potential aggressors. The armed forces is transformed into an intelligent defence force where the Air Force, Navy and Army operate together as an effective unit. In this way, maintaining an effective citizen armed force is another way to ensure Singapore’s defence and security.

However, the fighting capability of the armed forces can only be enhanced by the presence of the defence industry which helped the Armed Force to develop into an effective fighting force through the use of latest defence technologies, weapons and equipment which other countries may not have. In this way, the security of Singapore is ensured as our level of deterrence is heightened and our enemy would think twice before they plan to attack Singapore.In conclusion, Total Defence is not the best way for Singapore’s defence and security. Although Total Defence involved more people in the defence of Singapore, Singapore must also ensure that she has an effective fight force with up-to-date defence technology. Only when these three aspects are equally developed can Singapore’s defence and security be ensured. All three are equally important. If any one aspect is missing, it will compromise the security and defence of Singapore.

Reason for the formation of the United Nation

2008-10-29T07:38:00.000-07:00

To what extent did concerns with peacekeeping lead to the formation of the UN? Explain your answer.

Issue : Reasons for the formation of the UN

Primary Reason: Concern with peacekeeping

Secondary Reason : Promotion of economic development

The United Nations was formed after World War II to promote peace, security, and economic development. It came into existence after the collapse of the League of Nations which had been started after World War I.

The League of Nations took too long to make decisions and peace was broken. For example when the Japanese invaded Manchuria in 1939 the League of Nations could not stop this. This showed that the League was powerless and a new organization was needed. The League had no arm of its own and relied on the cooperation of members.

In addition the outbreak of WW2 showed that peace was not maintained by the League. Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941exposed the League’s weaknesses in peacekeeping. So a new organization, the UN was established so that the weaknesses of the failed League would not be repeated. Therefore the concern with peacekeeping was the primary reason that lead to the formation of the UN.

However there was the additional concern of promotion economic social and cultural development. For example, the World Health Organisation (WHO) was formed under the UN umbrella to bring the world to a point where all the people are not just free of diseases e.g. cholera and smallpox but are at a high level of health. It provides money to train doctors, nurses and other health workers for developing countries and keeps governments informed about new drugs.

In addition, the Food & Agricultural Oragnisation. (FAO) aims to raise standards by encouraging improvements in agricultural production. It Introduces new varieties of maize and rice which have a higher yield and are less susceptible to disease. It train people in poor countries how to increase food production by the use of fertilizers, new techniques and new machinery and cash to fund new projects.

Peacekeeping as compared to economic development played a more important part in the formation of the UN. In peacekeeping, the UN was able to prevent further conflicts and bloodshed from breaking out. In armed conflicts, more people would be killed and buildings destroyed. Hence peace-keeping was more a determining factor than promoting economic development. It is less important because it depends a great deal on the peacekeeping measures. Only if peace could be enforced, can there be there economic development.

Was the American Involvement in the Iraq War a Mistake?

2008-10-26T21:08:00.001-07:00

(Please note this is the 2nd Gulf War started by the son. The first Gulf War that you are studying in the text book Desert Storm was started by the father. The two wars are about 13 years apart. Do not be confused)

Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and then answer all the questions.

You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions, in addition to those sources which you are told to use. In answering the questions you should use your knowledge of the topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources.

Issue: Was the American Involvement in the Iraq War a Mistake?

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Iraq was suspected of developing biological, chemical and nuclear weapons. The US government claimed that Iraq was developing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). Saddam Hussein, the President of Iraq, denied the allegation.

However, under pressure from U.S and the UN Security Council, Saddam Hussein allowed UN weapons inspectors into its capital Baghdad to conduct their inspections of weapon sites. The result of their investigation – there was no WMD in Iraq.

Unconvinced, the U.S government issued a warning to Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq within 48 hours or face attack. Two days later, on 20 March 2003, U.S launched air attacks on Iraq even though it did not receive full support from the other UN Security Council members. War ended about three weeks later, after U.S. troops entered Baghdad and toppled the Hussein regime.

The US defence Department had planned to withdraw most of its troops by the end of 2003, but they soon found themselves tied up in a long-drawn guerrilla war with the Saddam loyalists.

To make matters worse, a civil war broke out between Iraq’s majority Shia Muslim population and its minority Sunni Muslim population. The chaotic situation in Iraq made it impossible for US troops to withdraw. By 2007, the number of U.S. death toll totaled about 30,000. Also, an estimated 655,000 Iraqis had died as a result of the war.

It has been six years since the war started and it haunts the people like a never-ending nightmare. The U.S. war in Iraq had lasted even longer than U.S. involvement in World War II. Was the American involvement in Iraq a mistake? The sources below give various views about the Iraq War.

1 (a) Study Source A What is the message of this cartoon? Explain your answer with reference to the cartoon. [5]

(b) Study Sources B and C
How different are these two sources? Explain your answer. [7]

(c)Study Source D
How reliable is this source about the threat posed by Iraq in 2002?
Explain your answer. [6]

(d) Study Source E
How useful is this source as evidence about the reactions of the Iraqis after the defeat of Saddam Hussein? Explain your answer. [7]

Source A: A Singaporean cartoonist expresses his view on the American Involvement in the Iraq War

Source B: A letter to the editor of newspaper, Las Vegas Sun, on 6 June 2008

When is our beloved country going to quit believing it can police this wide and wicked world with its limited forces and resources? When will this war end? As a World War II veteran and a high school teacher during the ’60s, I lost two of my best students to that hopeless Vietnam War. It made me weep to see their names on that Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Iraq War is in many ways, similar to the Vietnam War. While we are trying to save the free world from tyranny, our motives are misinterpreted and misguided. We were not in Vietnam or Iraq to conquer and subjugate a weaker country; we were not there to rob its wealth or take control of its resources. We were there for a good cause. I agree that all wars are a pointless waste of humanity, but sometimes we have no choice. Would you have allowed Hitler to rule the world?

Hats off and a hearty salute to those who are bearing the burden of this war! I think most people would agree with me that there are justifiable reason to go into a country and overthrow a regime that has brought so much injustice and human suffering.

Sources C: A British gave his views about the Iraq War in his blog

The Americans attacked Iraq because they claimed Iraq had WMDs and Saddam was refusing to let the UN inspectors check. They went there to save the Iraqis because Saddam and his family were committing genocide throughout the country. They are valid reasons. Now the Americans have got rid of Saddam and found no WMD. The question is: why are they still there?

People can argue that the country isn't stable, the soldiers are needed to see that the Iraqis don’t kill Iraqis. Personally, I think the U.S government had a plan for removing Saddam, but did not have a plan for afterward.

There are two separate groups of people in Iraq, the Shia Muslims and the Sunni Muslims. Now that Saddam is gone, who is in charge? There is no government, no military, and no police force and the "law of the jungle" took over. The U.S had to restore control, establish a government, a military, and a police department. At the same time terrorists are moving into Iraq like ants to a picnic. The U.S was not prepared for this and is now stuck in the sinking mud.

Source D: A speech by U.S President George Bush in January

2003

Our nation must prevent terrorists and regimes from threatening the United States and the world. This is an evil regime that used poison gas to murder thousands of its own people. It continues to show its hostility toward America and to support terrorism. It has plotted to develop biological and nuclear weapons for over a decade and has refused to let in the UN weapon experts to conduct inspection. Undoubtedly, Saddam has something to hide from the civilized world. By seeking weapons of mass destruction, his government poses a grave and growing danger to world security.

Source E: A Malaysian journalist who was in Iraq during the American invasion of Iraq gave an account of the reaction of the Iraqis in October 2003

Groups of Iraqis started coming to show their support and joy at the end of the Saddam regime. Within an hour, the group had grown to between 300 and 500. An atmosphere of triumph and celebration could be felt in the fast growing crowd.

Then a man with a huge hammer started hacking away at the base of a huge Saddam statue. An American soldier fastened a chain over the statue and attached it to a U.S military vehicle. The vehicle pulled and almost effortlessly, the statue fell over. Men and boys raced forward and kicked, stepped and jumped on the statue as if it was Saddam himself.

Suggested Answer (Please look only after you have attempted the question)

Study Source A.
What is the message of this cartoon? Explain your answer with reference to the cartoon. [5]

(3 to 4 marks answers)
1. The US government took a dangerous path in launching an attack on Iraq

Evidence: The American man looks nervous and was perspiring profusely as he attempts to swallow the sword.

2. Invasion of Iraq may be easy but the problem is in the withdrawal. The American troops are not stuck in the middle of the civil war there and could not pull itself out.

Evidence: Iraq is portrayed as a sharp, jagged-edged sword. Once it goes down the throat, it is not possible to pull it out without injuring the man. The American showed fear and was perspiring while he swallowed the sword.

(4 to 5 marks answers)

The cartoon tells me that the invasion of Iraq in 2003 was a highly dangerous path taken by the US government. The cartoon shows a nervous American perspiring profusely as he swallowed the sword.

Although the US attack was swift and decisive, the American troops are now facing the problem of withdrawing from Iraq. This is evident in the cartoon as Iraq is portrayed as a sharp, jagged-edged sword. Once it goes down the throat, it is not possible to pull it out without injuring the man.

The cartoon was drawn with the purpose of mocking at the America’s decision to get itself entangled in the Iraq war. At the same time, the cartoonist is reminding the people that Iraq is a complicated country with many internal problems. Any attempt to meddle with it is courting trouble.

Study Sources B and C
How different are these two sources? Explain your answer. [7]

(4 to 5 marks)

The war veteran in Source B is ambivalent in his viewpoint on the Iraq War. He felt sad about the loss of lives in wars. This is shown in the phrase, “I lost two of my best students in the Vietnam war ….made me weep”. Nevertheless, he supports US action despite the loss of lives. He says “I agree that all wars are a pointless waste of humanity, but sometimes we have no choice.”
On the other hand, the British man in Source C is clear about his stand. He held negative viewpoint about US involvement in the Iraq War. He blames the US government for getting stuck in the Iraq War because “the U.S government had a plan for removing Saddam, but did not have a plan for afterward.”

(7 marks)
Source B, being an American citizen and a war veteran, he wants to show his support for his country’s decision to attack Iraq because Saddam “has brought so much injustice and human suffering”. However, as a former teacher, he wants to send out a message to the public that “all wars are a waste of humanity” but “sometimes wars are unavoidable.”

Source C has a different purpose. Writing in his Blog, he is free to speak his mind about the war. His purpose is to criticise the US government for starting the war and to show his unhappiness that his country, Britain, was also drawn into a war that was not carefully planned. The British says that “the U.S government had a plan for removing Saddam and his family, but did not have a plan for afterward. “

Study Source D
How reliable is this source about the threat posed by Iraq in 2002?
Explain your answer. [6]

L1/1 Reliability based on provenance

Yes, this source is reliable because it comes from the President of the United States.

L2/2 Reliability based on source content, no explanation

It is reliable because it says that Saddam has plotted to develop biological and nuclear weapons for over a decade and has refused to let in the UN weapon experts to conduct inspection. These Weapons of Mass Destruction will threaten the security of the whole world.

L3/3 Reliable OR unreliable based on cross-referencing to background information or other sources

Source D is reliable to say that the Saddam regime is posing a threat to the world because cross-reference to the background information also shows that “Iraq was suspected of developing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs)”

Source D is also reliable to say that Saddam murdered thousands of people using poison gas. This fact can be supported by Source C which says “Saddam and his family were committing genocide throughout the country”

OR

Source D is unreliable because there was no evidence to prove that Saddam supported terrorism. Moreover. it was also not true that Saddam refused to let the UN weapon experts to conduct inspection. Cross-refer to the background knowledge shows that “under pressure from U.S and the UN Security Council, Saddam Hussein allowed UN weapons inspectors into its capital Baghdad to conduct their inspections of weapon sites.”

L4/4 Reliable AND Unreliable (both elements of L3)

L4/5 Unreliable due to personal bias

Source D is unreliable because it contains biased opinion. President Bush made assumption that Iraq’s WMDs were used for terrorist activities. This was probably because President Bush was especially sensitive and cautious after the terrorist attack of New York’s World Trade Centre on 11 Sept 2001. His biased tone can be detected from his use of words such as, “threatening”, “hostility” and “murder”.

L5/6 Unreliable due to the purpose of the speaker

Source D is unreliable because President Bush spoke with the purpose of condemning the Saddam regime so that the Americans and the rest of the world would support his decision to launch attack on Iraq. He says, “Our nation must prevent terrorists and regimes from threatening the United States and the world.”
As the President had a hidden agenda when he spoke these words, the information given in the source is doubtful and unreliable.

How useful is this source as evidence about the reactions of the Iraqis after the defeat of Saddam Hussein?
Explain your answer. [7]

L1/1 Useful - based on provenance – not explained
Yes, this source is useful because it comes from a Malaysian journalist who stayed in Iraq during the American invasion of Iraq in 2003.

L2/2 Useful OR Not useful – based on provenance - explained

It is useful because it was an eye-witness account by a journalist who stayed in Iraq during the war. What he described was probably true because he saw it.

OR

It is not useful because the man was a Malaysian, not an Iraqi and he could not know the reaction of the Iraqis.

L3/3-4 Useful OR Not useful – based on content - explained

Yes, it gives a useful eye-witness account of the people’s reaction after the fall of Saddam. He saw a large crowd pulling down the statue of Saddam and then kicking and jumping on it. This account is useful as the description shows me that the people hated the dictator.

OR

No, it is not useful because the source only describe the reaction of one group of Iraqis and not all the Iraqis.

L4/5 Both elements of L3 – useful AND not useful based on content

L5/6-7 L4 + Useful and not useful – based on cross-reference to other sources

Source E is useful as evidence to show that the Iraqis hated the dictator, Saddam Hussein. Source E describes how the people celebrated and displayed great joy when Saddam was defeated. The fact that Saddam was a hated dictator can be proven with cross-reference to Source D which says that Saddam “used poison gas to murder thousands of its own people”. Therefore, the facts given by Source E are reliable. A reliable source is a useful source.

AND

Source E is not useful because the information given in the source is limited. It only shows the reaction of one group of Iraqis. Cross-reference to Source C tells me that there are two groups of Iraqis – the Shia Muslims and the Sunni Muslims. The Shia Muslims support Saddam whereas the Sunni Muslims hated him. What the Malaysian journalist saw were probably the Sunni Muslims who had been tortured under the Saddam regime. The reaction of the Shia Muslim would be different as they looked up to Saddam as their hero. They would probably be crying in despair that Saddam was gone. Therefore Source E is not useful in showing the reaction of the Iraqis because of the limited information given.

Quick guide: Sri Lanka

2008-10-26T06:22:00.000-07:00

Sri Lanka is located about 31km (18.5 miles) off the southern coast of India. For much of the last 20 years it has suffered fighting between the armed forces of the predominantly Sinhalese government and Tamil Tiger rebels who want an independent homeland in the north and east.

Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic country, with a population of 18m people. It is an ancient centre of Buddhism. It also has a significant number of Hindus, Christians and Muslims. There are also a number of smaller communities such as the Burghers and the Veddas.

The civil war has killed about 64,000 people, displaced one million and held back the island's growth and economic development.

The origins of the current violence go back to the island's independence from Britain in 1948.

Although the years immediately following the end of colonial rule were largely peaceful, from the outset there were tensions between the majority Sinhalese community - who are mostly Buddhist - and the Tamil community who are mostly either Hindu or Roman Catholic.

The communities speak different languages - Sinhala and Tamil - and both claim their ancestors were original settlers on the island.

While the island's population enjoys what is arguably the highest per capita standard of living in South Asia, in the years after independence the Tamil community complained of discrimination when it came to getting jobs in the civil service or winning places at universities.

The government argued it was redressing the imbalance from colonial times when Sinhalas accused the British of giving preferential treatment to Tamils.

The run-up to war

Resentment over perceived discrimination was cited by the Tamil Tiger leader, Prabhakaran, as the motivating factor behind his decision to form the Tamil New Tigers militia in 1972. In 1976, this body changed its name to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) more commonly known as the Tamil Tigers.

The cause of "Eelam" - a Tamil homeland in the north and east - has been invoked to justify countless suicide bombings by the Tigers on civilian and military targets.

One of the first such attacks was ordered by Prabhakaran in 1983, when the Tamil Tigers attacked an army patrol in the north of the country.

That in turn led to anti-Tamil riots in which an estimated 600 people were killed and thousands displaced.

Pattern emerges

From that moment onwards, it can be argued that the Sri Lankan conflict followed a pattern that in many ways is still repeated today.

Throughout the 1980s, 1990s and for parts of this decade, the country has witnessed a combination of Tamil Tiger suicide attacks on the one hand and repeated military skirmishes in the north and east on the other.
The violence over this time period has been interspersed by various international efforts to negotiate a peace settlement: technically the two sides are not at war despite the recent violence, as neither has formally withdrawn from a peace treaty signed in 2002.

Both the military and the Tamil Tigers have been frequently accused of gross violations of human rights by international rights groups.

Civilians have been routinely murdered and thousands made homeless by the years of war.

The fighting has been complicated by the existence of shadowy paramilitary groups. Also a group of rebels led by their eastern commander, Karuna, broke away from the Tamil Tigers in March, 2004.

The conflict has also had a disastrous impact on reconstruction efforts after the December 2004 Asian tsunami with the distribution of international aid hampered by the fighting.

Can either side secure a military triumph?

Neither seems to have the muscle to win outright military victory - although both have had their successes.

In recent months it can perhaps be argued that while the conflict is no less winnable for either side - it has become a great deal more bloody.
At least 2,000 people - troops, Tamil Tiger rebels and Tamil, Sinhalese and Muslim civilians - were killed in the first nine months of 2006, the government and truce monitors say.

Unless common ground can be found between the government's oft-stated position that it is only prepared to allow more autonomy for the north and east and the Tiger's desire for full-scale independence for these areas, a solution to this most intractable of disputes looks as far away as ever.

2008-10-26T02:55:00.000-07:00

“The United Nations :a successful international organization” Do you agree? Explain your answer. [13]

Issue: Success of the UN

Give proposition: UN is successful

Alternative proposition: UN is not successful

Rank

Balanced conclusion: Successful in some areas, unsuccessful in other areas. UN is not a complete success neither is it a complete failure.

Yes, UN is a successful international organization.

The UN has played an important role to preserve world peace and provide aid. The UN Security Council has successfully imposed sanctions as deterrence to prevent wars. This collective effort has led to many successes such as helping to maintain peace in troubled areas such as Kuwait, Iraq, etc UN intervention in the Korea War stop the spread of communism in the south and helped to come to an agreement to end the war.

The International Court of Justice also helps members to settle their disputes peacefully. For example, Singapore has benefited through trying to solve conflicts peacefully with Malaysia over Pedra Branca and the water issue.

The UN is most effective in providing help such as food and medicine to countries in need that face emergencies eg. floods, earthquake, famines in Pakistan, the Philippines, etc. UN international aid through its various organizations such as the Red Cross, have helped to build communities in times of crisis such as after Iran earthquake and the tsunami crisis in Acheh.

However UN is not completely a successful international organization.
UN has not been successful all the time, especially in its peacekeeping missions on some occasions.

The Peace-keepers are only sent if the warring parties want to have peace and are willing to accept UN intervention. Sometimes the countries concerned do not welcome the UN’s help and conflict could worsen as opposition fight against UN troops as can be seen in the war in Iraq.

The sending out of the Peace-keepers often went too late and half-heartedly. This is because consent of the major UN members must be sought before they were sent. The peace-keeping force made up of troops from different countries. The troops are under various different commanders and often, their actions are not well-coordinated.

The UN Peace-keepers are not given active political power to over-rule the countries in conflict. They are only acting as impartial third party to supervise armistice only. Sometimes UN intervention worsens the already tense situation and escalates the war into an international conflict. Eg: The Korean War.

Many members of the peacekeeping forces and innocent lives have been lost or injured and destruction caused as UN peacekeeping forces try to put down rebels. The UN also sometimes fail to stop conflicts as seen from the outbreak of the Vietnam War, the recent N.Korean missile crisis and the attacks in Lebanon.

The UN is most successful in providing aid to members who are in trouble as she is able to harness resources such as food and medicine donated by its many members from the developed world and other world organizations. However, in its safekeeping tasks, it has not been as successful as it faces limitations – the UN is not given the active political powers to intercede and overrule the countries in conflict.

But to a large extent, the UN is a successful organisation and has helped to prevent the outbreak of another major world war.

2008-10-26T02:06:00.000-07:00

a) To what extent has Singapore’s involvement in ASEAN helped her to maintain good diplomatic relations? Explain your answer. [12]

Issue : How Singapore maintain good diplomatic relations

Given factor : Singapore's involvement in ASEAN

Alternative Factors : Membership in UN,Bilateral Relationship.

Rank

Foundation /Corner stone : Bilateral Relationship

Secondary Relationship: Regional (ASEAN relationship) International Relationship.

Yes Singapore's involvement in ASEAN has helped her to maintain good diplomatic relations with her neighbour in South East Asia.

Singapore is active in leading ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meetings to discuss security issues and confidence building measures with other counterpart nations like USA, China, Japan and Korea. She has been proactive in sponsoring and supporting regular opportunities for Foreign Ministers of ASEAN to meet with their regional and international counterparts to discuss issues of security concern so as to promote greater confidence and transparency in international dealings. This has earned the respect of the countries in the region in believing that Singapore is eager to pursue foreign policies beneficial to the region.

In this way, Singapore has managed to maintain good diplomatic ties with her neighbours. There have been no major disputes that have led to violence or war between the members ever since ASEAN’s formation. Instead there has been mutual cooperation on several issues such as dealing with terrorism. Singapore has also shared her expertise and knowledge in several areas with her neighbours such as Indonesia in fighting haze. She has offered ASEAN scholarships to deserving students from ASEAN countries.

However, besides ASEAN, bilateral and international relations are equally important in helping Singapore maintain good diplomatic relations.

Singapore is active in supporting UN missions and commissions in international peacekeeping and international law plenary sessions. Since her accession to the United Nations, Singapore has sat on the General Assembly and sent peacekeeping, police and medical missions to countries ranging from Cambodia, East Timor to Iraq. Singapore is also prolific in volunteering for international law plenary sessions and discussions. She has been involved in chairing the draft sessions of the UN Law of the Sea Convention. Her willingness to play her part in international peacekeeping has won her the respect and good diplomatic standing in the international community. This willing to be a positive contribution to the United Nations has helped enhanced her good diplomatic standing. Therefore maintianing international relationship has helped Sinagpore to maintian good diplomatic relationships with many countries.

Besides, Singapore is also active in fostering strong bilateral ties to promote greater cooperation and mutual benefits. Singapore consistently seeks to build good bilateral relations with countries in the region such as Malaysia and also form new partnerships with those not traditionally in the circle of contact. To those in the region, Singapore is ready to assist in community and humanitarian missions eg. Indonesia and the Philippines. Singapore also explores new trading links and relations with countries further away like Bahrain, Chile eg. recent FTA talks to break new grounds in forging win-win solutions in bilateral cooperation. Therefore maintianing bilateral relationship has helped Sinagpore to maintian good diplomatic relationships with many countries as Singapore is current not having any conflict with any countiry.

In conclusion, building sound bilateral relations is the corner stone or foundation of Singapore diplomacy and that is the single most important factor that has helped her to build close regional ties and to contribute positively to the international community. Good bilateral relations between Singapore and other individual states is the basis that allows her to function meaningfully within supranational frameworks be it regional organizations like ASEAN or International Organisations such as the UN.

2008-10-24T20:56:00.000-07:00

Were ideological differences more damaging than competition over scarce natural resources in international conflicts? Explain your answer. (159-164)

When countries do not see eye to eye with each other, international conflicts will arise. When there is international conflict, countries may go to war and there will be damages like lost of life (social damages) and destruction of infrastructure like roads and railways and factories and buildings (economic devastation)

There are many reasons why countries do not agree with each others. For example, they may have different ideological differences or they may fight over scarce natural resources like fish.

After World War 2 ended, the Cold War started with US promoting the democratic capitalist system while the USSR believed in the communist system. This ideological difference led to several international conflicts for example the Korean War. North Korea, supported by Russia believed in the communist system while South Korea supported by USA believes in democracy.

Both North and South Korea were attempting to re-unify Korea under their respective governments. North Korean wanted to be communist while South Korea want to remain a capatlist society. As they could not see eye to eye with each other, the Korean War started in 1950 and lasted like 1953. Therefore ideological difference can lead to international conflict.

During the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, a lot of damages occurred. For examples, a lot of civilians and soldiers died during the war and building, road and railways were also destroyed. Therefore, when international conflict arises from ideological differences, it can bring about a lot of damages.

Sometime when two countries claimed that they have rights over scarce resource like fishing ground, international conflict will arise. For example, Britain and Iceland fought the Cod War in 1975 over the fishing ground. Iceland declared the 200-mile economic exclusion zone which means that other countries cannot enter the water near Iceland to fish.

This international conflict resulted because Britain did not recognize Iceland’s clime over the 200-mile limit and continue to fishing in these water. The conflict lasted for a few months and few shots were fired, but several ships were rammed and some damage occurred but few people died. Luckily, the conflicted ended in 1976 as Britain and Iceland were able to come to an agreement. The agreement said that Britain was only allowed 24 fishing boats inside the 200 mile at any time.

Therefore when countries fight over scarce resources, international conflict will arise. When this take places, there will be damages. In this case, boasts were damaged and some people were killed.
In the examples that were provided, international conflict that arise due to ideological difference like the Korea War showed that the damages were more damaging than when countries fought over scarce resources like the Cod War between Iceland and Britain.

However, whenever international conflict arises for whatever reasons, if it is not solve quickly, the damages will be more than if the conflict is solved quickly. Therefore because the Korean War lasted for 3 years, the damages were more than the Cod War which lasted for about one year.

So weather the conflict is due to ideological differences or due to competition over scare natural resources as long as the conflict is not resolve quickly, the damage will be enormous.

2008-10-24T20:41:00.000-07:00

Click on the picture below to see the a bigger picture.

Several SBQs are uploaded below. Try them out. Identify the type of skills to use before attempting the questions. i.e. Which questions do you need to ICE the PAO, which uses the weighing scale and which the yin yang.

Focus Revision on SBQ Skills : Reliability and Source Utility

Reliability /Proof Skills

1.General Comments

a.Weaker students will answer on the basis of what the source says – the content will be accepted uncritically.

b.Better candidates will know that the question require them to evaluate the source to explain why they believe it or not.

2.Depending on the particular question, there may be several ways of doing this, some more effective then the other.

a.Explanation of provenance

i.Provenance can give important clues about reliability, but on its own will never provide a satisfactory answer—it ignores what the source actually says.

ii.Yes it does prove it because it is written by a ……..so he will know what he is talking about.

b.Typicality

i.This is not ‘this is just one source, so I cannot believe it.’

ii.Rather it is the extent to which you can generalize from what the source depicts. In fact at this level, what the source says is accepted as reliable in itself, the problem is simply that it is not true of all people/place/time. It is reliable for showing that some …….., but not all of them do.

c.Explanation of bias using language of the source.

i.This has to be a demonstration of how the content of the source reveals the perspective of the author, thus affecting it reliability. This may be a matter of loaded language, omission of relevant materials, and selection of one- sided materials.

d.Cross-reference

i.This is a process of checking the reliability of a specific aspect of a source by comparing it either

1.Against what another source says or
2.Against one’s own knowledge

ii.For cross-reference to work, it must be clear

1.That a check is being made (that the reliability of a specific aspect or claim in the sources is being tested.)

2.What exactly is being checked (i.e. the specific aspect or claim being checked.)

3.What exactly it is being checked against (i.e. something in another source, or some specific items of factual knowledge.)

iii.The absence of any of these elements can put the validity of the cross-reference in doubt.

1.When one or more of the above element are omitted generalizations take place.

2.e.g. the following should not be allowed as cross-reference

a.Source X is true because Source Y supports it.
b.Source X is true because Source Y says the same.
c.Source X is reliable because it agrees with my own knowledge.
d.I can believe Source X because this is the kind of thing that was going on then

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Utility Skills

1. General comments

i. Many candidates never move beyond seeing sources as information rather then as evidence.

ii. For such candidates, the utility of source A would be for example that it tells us something about an issue that has been asked in the question.

iii. For better candidates, utility related to reliability. It you can believe it, it must be useful. If not then it cannot be useful.

a. Source A cannot be very useful as evidence about ……because………….. However, if you look at Source B, …..

iv. However, the best candidates understand that utility varies according to the historical question/issue in relation to which the source is being used as evidence.

v. The apparent unreliability of the source can enhance and change its utility.

vi. The unreliability is itself evidence to be used.

vii. The source is useful because, although it is obviously not typical of ….., or of all ….., it is a good insight into how……..

2. LORM

a. L1 undeveloped explanation of reliability (1m-2m)
(These do not use the content of t source)
It is useful as the person is…… so he will know…….

b. L2 Useful because of what it tells us about the issue

c. L3 Useful because it tells us that the point of view of the person involved.

d. L4 Utility checked by cross-ref e.g.

i. Developed explanations of reliability.

ii. These answers will be based on the language used in the source in relation to bias/tone/impression/typicality.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

SBQ Case-Study One : How successful are the government’s efforts in helping the aged in their ‘golden’ years?

Read this carefully. It may help you to answer some of the questions.

During his National day Rally speech on 19 August 2007, the Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, announced a series of measures to help the aged in Singapore. He was concerned that senior citizens would not have much savings in their Central Provident Fund (CPF) account to see them throughout their life after retirement.

Before the National Day Rally speech, the retirement age was set at 62 years old. An employee can withdraw a certain amount in his CPF account at the age of 55 after he has left a certain minimum sum of balance in his account. He will only be able to draw small amounts from his minimum sum when he reaches 62 years old.

With the increase in life expectancy of Singaporeans rising to 80 years old, the Prime Minister feared that the current practices would not be enough to take care of the retired workers. Therefore the government will raise the retirement age from 62 to 67 years old. It will also pass a law making it compulsory for companies to reemploy workers who retired at 62 years old in 2012. A retired employee will only be able to withdraw from his CPF minimum sum when he reaches the age of 65.

1(a) Study Source A.

Why do you think the blogger drew this cartoon? Explain your
answer. [5]

(b) Study Source B.

How useful is this source as evidence that senior citizens welcome the changes made on their CPF and retirement age? Explain your
answer. [6]

(c) Study Sources C and D.

How similar are these two sources? Explain your answer. [7]

(d) Study Source E.

Does this source prove that the government’s effort at re-employing older workers was successful? Explain your answer. [7]

Source A
A cartoon drawn by a blogger, Sei-ji Rakugaki,and posted on his blog on 8 February 2007.

Source B
The Straits Times, 21 August 2007.

Mrs G. Dev reflected the views of the vast majority of the 50 people polled by The Straits Times yesterday. “If I was in the pink of health and could carry on working till 65, it might be okay,” said the 50-year old senior midwife. “But I’m already having some health problems, so what if I get too sick to work? It means I will have no money to fall back on. Also I have no idea how long I will live… With this delay [in taking out her minimum sum in her CPF], I might not even live to see the money.”

Source C
A blogger’s comment on the government’s efforts to help senior citizens, November 2006.

I'm also amused to see PM Lee say that "helping older Singaporeans work longer" is one of the ways by which the government is tackling the aging population challenge. Why am I amused? Frankly I am not very sure what is the significance of the government raising or not raising the retirement age. If you need the money, you will want to work. If you like to work, you will also want to work. If you don't need the money and don't like to work, then you won't work. In other words, old folks will work if they have no choice.

Source D
‘Mr Wang Says So’, a well-know blogger, giving his view on the issues raised by the Prime Minister in his National Day Rally speech, 21 August 2007.

I agree with PM Lee’s views on the aging population. To be frank, there aren’t many choices to choose from. PM Lee’s solutions are not at all brilliant. They are quite obvious. It’s a “not-much-choice” situation. As I check around the blogs, I hear some people mumbling and grumbling. Their dissatisfaction is with the idea that they’re going to have to work to the ripe old age of 62, or 65, or 67. While I understand the feeling, I think that these people may not fully understand the issues. The government is not forcing you to work. If you have enough money, you could choose to stop work at 60, or 58, or 55. As a matter of fact, if you have enough money, you could jolly well retire at 35.

Source E
Adapted from the Mediacorp Channel NewsAsia website,9 September 2007.

The Minister in charge of ageing issues, Mr Lim Boon Heng, lists down the work that needs to be done to help Singapore's changing population. 70-year-old Henry Chong is the oldest worker at the NTUC Income Contact Centre. But the company said his performance is no less than that of his younger colleagues. Mr Chong used to make S$1,600 in his office administration job, now he makes about S$2,000. "I feel I can still continue. I'm still healthy and I prefer to work until the company doesn't want me

anymore," said Mr Chong. Mr Lim Boon Heng hopes more can be like him.

(a) Study Source A.
Why do you think the blogger drew this cartoon? Explain your answer. [5]

L1 Answer describing cartoon but not detecting message. [1]
e.g It was to show an old man working in a food court.

L2 Answers based on contextual knowledge [2]
These answer show the growing ageing society of Singapore and the challenges that resulted such as the financial needs of the ageing population which explains why the cartoon was drawn. This knowledge is not available in Source A.

E.g. It was because of the high numbers of older workers who did not have financial security

E.g. It was because the aged in Singapore was experiencing financial difficulties.

L3 Answer based on impact of message(s) [2-3]

E.g. The cartoonist wants to tell Singaporeans that the older workers are forced to work because of their financial needs. Therefore workers should have sufficient preparation for their old age if they do not want to suffer the same fate. (2 marks)
Eg. The cartoonist wants to persuade Singaporeans to have prepare for their old age so as not to suffer the same fate as the man in the cartoon. (3 marks)

L4 L 2+L3

Message impact explained in Context [4-5]
Award 4 marks where there is 1 message impact OR where contextual explanation is weak.

E.g. The cartoonist wants to let Singaporeans know that it is crucial to prepare for old age. This is because many Singaporeans are going to be senior citizens in the near future. (4-5 marks)

(NOte from the ess: Notice that this model answer did not use the ICE the PAO that I have suggested but focus on the OUTCOME. Remember the OUTCOME is of the upmost importance)

(b) Study Source B.
How useful is this source as evidence that senior citizens welcome the changes made on their CPF and retirement age? Explain your answer. [6]

L1 Undeveloped explanations of reliability (1 -2)

E.g. It is useful as she will soon retire, so she knows what she is saying
E.g. The source is not useful because it does not give the view of those who support the scheme .
E.g. Source B is not useful because it is only the opinion of one Singaporean. It does not mean all other older workers felt the same way.

L2 Useful, because of the information it reveals (2-3)

E.g. some B is useful because it tells us that older Singaporean workers have difficulties with re-employment. The source also reveals that there is some doubt about the delay in drawing out the minimum sum from the CPF.

E.g. Source B is useful because it is highlights the view of certain older workers who fear that the so-called improvements to be made for their benefit might not be to their advantage.

L3 Useful, because it tells us how older workers feel / think about the situation / gives the point of view of older workers. [4]

E.g. Source B is useful in conveying an older worker’s doubts, which represent the general feeling of other workers in her age group (reflected the views of the vast majority of the 50 people polled by The Straits Times yesterday). Source B is useful as evidence about the responses of older workers on the government’s initiative because it tells us that not all older workers welcome the initiatives or that the initiatives will benefit all older workers. The lady raises an important point that working after retirement would be acceptable if she is healthy. But would the initiative work if the older worker is unhealthy?

L4 Developed explanations of reliability (5-6)
These answer will be based on the language used in the Source in relation to bias/ tone/ impressions/ typicality

E.g. Some B gives a negative impression of the thought of one worker who is in the older worker category. But if we look at source E, another worker has a much more positive attitude. So Source B may not be typical and therefore it is not useful as evidence. The source is biased to a certain degree. The lady is assuming that she will not live long therefore she might no be able to enjoy her minimum sum left in the CPF. Ultimately this colours her view on the government’s initiatives.

(c) Study Sources C and D.
How similar are these two sources? Explain your answer. [7]

L1 Similarity OR Difference, based on Provenance/ Source type/ Topic (1)

E.g. The sources are views by bloggers.

E.g Both are released in different years, 2006 & 2007.

E.g. Both sources are about the viability of extending the retirement age.

OR

Use of content but no valid match

L2 False Match (2)
E.g. Source D says that the government “is not forcing you to work” beyond your retirement age. Source C does not say this.

L3 Similarity in content, i.e. must be valid matches (3-4)
E.g. Both sources mentioned that working past the retirement age is dependent on the financial needs of the individual and not because of the laws passed by the government.

L4 Similarity in Purpose (5-6)
Award 6 marks for support from both sources

E.g. Both sources want to persuade older Singaporeans not to be affected by the government’s initative as working past the retirement age depends solely on the workers themselves, depending on their financial situation. Essentially, the workers have a choice. Although both use different tone in sending their message and purpose, both are trying to persuade Singaporeans that the initiatives are nothing new and not something to be fearful of or to grumble about. Source C talks about the need to work beyond the retirement age if you are not financially secure, “In other words, old folks will work if they have no choice.” Similarly, Source D mentions that older workers have a choice to continue working or otherwise, “If you have enough money, you could choose to stop work at 60, or 58 or 55.”

L5 Difference in Tone / 0pinion (6-7)
Award 7 marks for support from both sources answer dealing with both tone and purpose get 7 marks.

E.g. Source C is bleaker / negative/ emotional, pessimistic/sarcastic about the situation. It stresses that there is no “significance of the government raising or not raising the retirement age.” However, Source D is more positive/ objective/ encouraging. It seeks to assure worker that the government has no other alternative but to raise the retirement age to help older workers, “To be frank, there aren’t many choices to choose from.” Although he downplays PM Lee’s solution as “not at all brilliant”, one can sense that he sees the solution as necessary yet not to be feared because the people still have a choice, depending on their financial situation.

(d) Study Source E.
Does this source prove that the government’s effort at re-employing older workers was successful? Explain your answer. [7]

L1 Provenance/ Typicality (1)

E.g. Yes, because it is from a Mediacorp article, therefore it must be true.

E.g. ‘No, because the account is based on the experience of one retired Singaporean worker only. It does not mean all retired workers welcome re-employment.

L2 Yes, supported from content of Source E (2-3)
E.g. Yes, as the Source states that the older workers can be as good as younger ones: ‘But the company said his performance is no less that that of his younger colleagues’.

L3 No, supported from content of Source E (4-5)
E.g. No, the source indicates that not all retired workers welcome the move. This can be inferred in the line “Mr Lim Boon Heng hopes more can be like him.”

L4 Developed explanation of purpose (5-6)

Sees Source E as consistent with official efforts to assure Singaporean workers

No, Source E is from a local broadcasting station. It tends to support the government. Thus it said positive things like a retired worker welcoming re-employment, especially in the higher pay secured by Mr Henry Chong. This is to encourage retired workers to go for re-employment. This argument can be developed further that this report has a hidden agenda because it particularly highlights the higher pay that Mr Chong receives as compared to his previous job and Mr Chong’s claim that he is happy to continue working. Clearly this is to persuade hesitant retired workers to consider re-employment which will lessen the government’s burden on looking after the unemployed retirees, in terms of medical care and daily expenses. Sound E may therefore not be reliable.

L5 No, by cross-referencing to other sources (7)
i.e. Sees that Source E is not representative of the acceptance of retired
workers.

No. The ‘success’ at re-employing older workers as stated in Source E is just a
single example and not supported by Source A and B. In Source E, Mr Chong
states that "I feel I can still continue. I'm still healthy and I prefer to work
until the company doesn't want me anymore," but this is contradicted by
Source A which gives the sarcastic remark, “And why do I work …? Because I wish to?... My foot! Another example to show that Source E is not representative is the negative viewpoint of Source B that contradicts Mr Chong’s positive acceptance of re-employment, ““But I’m already having some health problems, so what if I get too sick to work?”. Even Source D which generally is supportive of the policy gives a possibility that not all retired workers will seek re-employment (depending on their financial status), thus negating the statement that the government effort at re-employing older workers was successful.

SEQ Diplomacy and Deterrance

2008-10-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

Is diplomacy a more effective measure than Total Defence to ensure Singapore's security? Explain your answer.

Issue : Singapore’s security

Given measure : Diplomacy

Alternative measure : Total Defence

Rank Order

More effective measure to ensure Singapore’s security
· Total Defence (necessary but not sufficient measure)

Supporting measure to ensure Singapore’s security
· Diplomacy (part of the measures for Singapore’s security but not sufficient)

(Yes I know that this is perhaps one of the longer essay. You need not write down everything just summaries and provide one or two examples.In fact you can spilt this essay into two)

Diplomacy is the way in which countries manage or conduct relations with one another. Its main aim is to promote common interests and to resolves conflicting interests in a peaceful manner. Developing good diplomatic relationships with many countries is an effective measure to ensure Singapore security but not sufficient.

Singapore must also have the ability to defend herself. That is why Total Defence was introduced in 1984 to involve every Singaporean in the defence of the country. However it can be effective only when all Singaporeans believe that Singapore is worth defending, and are involved in the defence efforts. Total Defence is about the different things Singaporeans can do every day in every sector of the society to strengthen the people’s resilience as a nation. It is a necessary but insufficient measure to ensure Singapore’s security.

Diplomacy is one measure that Singapore uses to ensure her security. It provides opportunity for countries to pursue mutual interests. It also enables them to cooperate with one another and resolve conflicts, differences and disagreements peacefully.

Diplomacy can be achieved through bilateral relations. For example, Singapore has been actively involved in building its diplomatic ties with other countries. She has been expanding bilateral relationships with many countries since its independence. With bilateral relations, Singapore was able to further promote political, economic, and cultural ties with neighboring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. As a result, with bilateral relations, countries will help each other when things get out of hand. Because they have developed good diplomatic relationship, they are less willing to declare war with each other as they prefer to use peaceful means to solve their differences. Therefore promoting bilateral relation is one measure Singapore has used to ensure her security.

Diplomacy can also be achieved through regional relations as with regional relations, Singapore will be able to become stronger by combining the strengths of member countries. It will, therefore, be in a better position in dealing with other countries. This form of diplomacy ensures the security of Singapore because it provides an opportunity for Singapore to collaborate with other countries to pursue mutual interests which will benefit everyone. The collaboration of countries include helping one another to solve common problems such as transnational terrorism, SARS and the avian flu that threatens the security of Singapore. Diplomacy through regional relations also helps Singapore to resolve her conflicts, differences and disagreements with other countries peacefully. An example of a regional organization that can safeguard the security of Singapore is ASEAN. It allows Singapore to resolve occasional disputes with member countries peacefully. The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in which Singapore is a member also helps to ensure the security of Singapore since it promotes political and security dialogues that tackles security issues and resolve conflicts peacefully.

Diplomacy achieved through international relations can also help to ensure Singapore’s security. For example, Singapore is also part of the United Nation (UN), which has a membership of 192 countries. Singapore’s membership in the UN helps it to maintain its independence and territorial integrity. The Security Council of the UN helps to maintain international peace and security which is especially important for a small country like Singapore. Therefore by being a member of UN, it helps to ensure Singapore’s security.

However, cultivating good diplomatic relationship alone will not ensure Singapore’s security nor is it a more effective measure than Total Defence. Singapore need to have Total Defence to deter potential enemy incase diplomacy fails.

Total Defence is an effective measure in ensure Singapore’s security. It was introduced in 1984 to involve everyone in the defence of Singapore and strengthen the people’s resilience as a nation. Potential aggressors will think twice about attacking Singapore if they face the entire nation and not just the armed forces. Total Defence comprises of 5 aspects: Military, Civil, Economic, Social and Psychological Defence.

Military defence is one aspect in Total Defence. In Singapore, we have a large citizen armed force of over 350 thousand soldiers which is operationally ready to deter potential aggressors. Besides that, the armed forces is also on the way to be transformed into an intelligent defence force where surveillance and strike systems of the Air Force, Navy and Army operate together to provide early intelligence which would help to destroy the enemy even before they can locate us. The fighting capability of the armed forces is also enhanced by the presence of the defence industry which helped it develop into an effective fighting force through the use of latest defence technologies, weapons and equipment. In this way, the security of Singapore is ensured as our level of deterrence is heightened and our enemy would think twice before they plan to attack Singapore.

Civil defence aspect in Total Defence also contribute to the security of Singapore. It can also be strengthen through the emphasis on civil readiness. Social defence aspect in Total Defence refers to the unity of multi-ethnic groups in Singapore in the face of social crisis such as a terrorist attack that seeks to pull ethnic groups apart. Social defence could be achieved through activities such as emergency preparedness exercises, and activities that promote inter-racial and interreligious understanding. Psychological defence aspect in Total Defence refers to the intangible aspect of defence which emphasizes on the need to have pride and loyalty and wanting to stand up and defend Singapore from security threats. It helps the people overcome social challenges and stand together in unity to face those challenges boldly as a nation. By developing these five aspects of Total Defence Singapore’s security is ensured as our potential enemy is aware that it will not be easy to conquer Singapore.

In conclusion, by developing Total Defence she present a strong deterrent to prevent any country from attacking her. This is a necessary measures but it is insufficient as she needs to minimize the possibilities of these countries from attacking her through the forming of friendships and reducing hostilities with other countries through the development of good diplomatic relationship.

However, it can be argued that a strong deterrent signal through Total Defence will help to safeguard the security of Singapore even in times when diplomacy fails completely.
Having diplomacy alone will not guarantee that Singapore’s security can be ensured since no physical aggression by foreign countries can be anticipated with certainty. Therefore diplomacy is not the more effective measure in ensuring Singapore’s security.

Notes from the Ess : Answers that focus only on those diplomatic measures that Singapore employs but has no relation to how they could contribute to Singapore’s security will not be accepted

Similarly answers that focus only on those Total Defence aspects that has no clear link to how they could contribute to Singapore’s security will receive no marks.

SEQ: Transnational Terrorism

2008-10-24T09:27:00.001-07:00

To what extent is psychological distress in Singapore a significant impact caused by the threat of transnational terrorism?

Issue : Impact caused by threat of transnational terrorism

Given Impact: psychological distress

Alternative Impacts :
· Economic Impacts
· Political Impact

Rank Order

Most significant impact
· Political impact as it is still in place in Singapore

Secondary Impacts
· Economic impact
· Psychological distress which is part of social impact
· These two are secondary as the impacts has been reduced or eliminated.

Transnational terorism involves the unlawful use of force or indiscriminate violence by internationally-linked groups against persons and properties in many different parts of the world.

The world today is increasingly threatened by these transnational terrorist groups as they seek to destroy lives and properties and destabilize the societies of the countries which suffered terrorist attacks. There are several impact caused by this threat of transnational terrorism. One of the impacts in Singapore is psychological distress but it is not the most significant impact.

Psychological distress is one of the social impacts that transnational terrorism can bring about to Singapore. For example after the arrests of the JI members in 2001 and 2003, Singaporeans were plagued with the concern that potential terrorist attacks may happen in Singapore. There was a fear of "knee-jerk" reactions from the Singaporeans especially if the terrorist were home-grown. In this instance, Singaporeans may undergo psychological distress since it could be difficult for communities to remain calm as acts of terrorism committed by Singaporean may create suspicion and tension among the various ethnic and religious groups. Singapore may began to mistrust each other.

Yet one of the positive social impacts that transnational terrorism brought about was to strengthen the resolve of government and communities to implement new measures and programmes to counter terrorism. For example, the Community Engagement Programme was launched in 2006 as a long-term effort to ensure that Singaporeans are better equipped to maintain social cohesion and harmony, should a crisis like transnational terrorism happen in Singapore. It aims to bring together Singaporeans from different communities to strengthen inter-communal bonds, and to put in place response plans to help deal with potential communal tensions after and incident.

The September 11 attacks of the World Trade Centre in New York had an economic impact on Singapore. Due to the potential for future attacks, people were afraid of flying. Therefore the airline industries in Singapore were affected as they lose their income because less people were willing to fly. In addition, government spending has also increased as there is a greater need to cater for increased security to counter acts of terrorism. For example in Singapore, our government has deployed more police and troops to guard areas such as airports, embassies as well as other sensitive installations.

The Singapore government has also spent a lot of money and resources in holding exercises to ensure that the emergency services and the citizens are prepared and know what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. For example, in January 2006, Singapore held its largest civil emergency exercise, Exercise Northstar V which was led by the Singapore Civil Defence Force and involving more that 2000 personnel from 22 agencies.

The threat of transnational terrorism also caused several political impacts. Intrusive legislation aimed at countering terrorism have been introduced in Singapore. The government felt that it has the responsibility to keep their citizens safe from terrorists by having tight security controls. For example, stepping up on border security, such as greater checks on travellers' identities and belongings, to ensure terrorists do not slip into the country. These new measures and laws are being criticized by Singaporeans as they infringe on individual freedom and personal privacy. However, there is still a need for the measures and laws to be implemented so as to safeguard security.

Psychological distress caused by the threat of transnational terrorism is a significant impact in the short term but not in the long term. After the arrest of the JI, there was a sense of mistrust among the different community but the government has already taken step to strengthen the bong among the different community. Therefore the psychological distress has been reduced or even eliminated and so is no longer a significant impact of transnational terrorism in Singapore. In fact through various the actions of the government, the community has grown closer.

Economic impact is no longer a significant impact as the airline industry in Singapore managed to recovery from the act of transnational terrorism of 911 and the Bali Bombing of 2002 through various promotion and advertisements.

The most significant impact of transnational terrorism in Singapore is the intrusive legislation that has been implemented in Singapore to safeguard homeland security. These legislations are still in place in Singapore and have serious economic and social implication. For example, when Mas Selmat escaped in February 2008, there was detail check at the Woodland Check Point and the Second Link. This brought about massive traffic jams which has a significant economic impacts as goods and people could not come in and out of Singapore easily.

In conclusion, psychological distress is not most significant impact caused by terrorism. The most significant impact is the intrusive legislations as in the long run, these intrusive legislations are still in place.

Notes from the Ess
Notice that in the 4th para, i have already explained that the destress has been seen too and therefroe it is not of significant anymore.

SEQ : Causes of Conflict between Iraq and Kuwait.

2008-10-24T04:46:00.000-07:00

How far is dispute over territory a cause for the conflict between Iraq and Kuwait? Explain your answer. [12]

Iraq invaded Kuwait on 2 August 1990, claiming that revolutionaries in Kuwait had asked Iraq for help. The invasion was a success for Iraq. There are several causes for this conflict between Iraq and Kuwait.

One of the causes of the conflict between Iraq and Kuwait was the claim over the Bubiyan annd Warbah Islands. These islands belonged to Kuwait, but Iraq
wanted these islands as it would help Iraq gain access to the Persian Gulf. The Iraqis even attempted to claim ownership of the islands through force in the 1960s and 1970s. Since 1978, Iraq had even tried to lease these territories. Kuwait’s refusal to grant this request worsened the relationship between both sides as Iraq saw Kuwait’s refusal as an attack on its national interest.

Another territorial dispute was over a profitable oilfield, the Rumaila oilfield. In 1990, Iraq accused Kuwait of stealing oil by drilling oil from the Iraqi side using slant-drilling technology. Kuwait insisted that they had taken the oil only from their side of the oil field. When Kuwait refused to pay compensation and to stop the drilling, Iraq felt that Kuwait was unreasonable, therefore dispute over these two territory issues caused the conflict between Irague and Kuwait.

However, the historical enmity that existed between both sides was another cause for the conflict. Iraq had all along considered Kuwait as part of it. As such Iraq expected Kuwait to give in to its demands. Kuwait’s refusal to give in to Iraq resulted in shock and anger. As a result, Iraq was even more aggressive in trying to force Kuwait to give in to their demands. The result was a worsening of the relationship between the two as Kuwait might have seen the Iraqi actions as bullying. Therefore, the worsening relationship between these two countries contributed to the conflict.

The final causes for the conflict was the over-production of oil by Kuwait. Due to the Iraq-Iran War, Iraq faced immense debts from the war and the problems with rebuilding the country. Sale of oil was a solution to the debt and the problems of rebuilding the country. Yet, Kuwait had increased its oil production, causing a drastic fall in oil prices. Thus, Iraq lost a lot of revenue due to the fall in oil prices. Iraq was upset of Kuwait’s actions and saw it as an economic war on Iraq. Thus this led to an outbreak of war.

The territorial dispute over territory was a necessary but insufficient causes for the conflict between Iraq and Kuwait. This is because territory dispute had been going on for a long time and it did not result in the invasion of Kuwait.

Similarly the historical enmity that exist has been going on for a long time and did not trigger the conflict.

Instead, the most significant cause could be the over-production of oil because it resulted in worsening economic problems for Iraq. Compared to the loss of revenue from fall in oil prices, the territorial dispute and the historical enmity were not so threatening to Iraq’s survival at that time.

Thus the territorial dispute was to a small extent a cause for the conflict. The main cause for the conflict was the over production of oil which caused Iraq to lost a lot of revenue and it saw the only way to solve it problem was to invade Kuwait. The overproduction of oil was the trigger that caused the conflict between Iraq and Kuwait.

Note from the ess. Look at the sentences that has been underlined. These are the explanation statements. And notice that I am always linking back to the issue

Issue :
The conflict between Iraq and Kuwait. \

Given Factor

The given factor was territorial dispute

The alternative factors

historical enmity and
over production of oil.

Rank order for the causes for the conflict

Main reason: Over production of oil

Secondary reasons: Historical enmity and territorial dispute.

Why? (hint look at the last paragraph)

Right from the horses mouth

2008-10-15T18:09:00.001-07:00

2008 GCE SOCIAL STUDIES ‘N’ LEVEL EXAM MARK SCHEME

Please study this mark scheme very carefully so that you know how to score well.

(a) Study Source A.
What can you learn from this source about the reaction of the Sri Lankan government to the tsunami disaster? Explain your answer, referring to details of the source. [5]

L1 Repeats details about the government’s actions from the source.

e.g. Source A mentions that the Sri Lankan government sent “large stocks of food and other essentials” to the affected areas. [1]

L2 Inferences about the government wanting to help/ trying to help
2m for an unsupported inference
3m for a supported inference

e.g. Source A tells me that the Sri Lankan government wanted to help the victims of the Tsunami as it mentioned that “large stocks of food and other essentials have already been sent out” to the north and east” i.e. areas affected by the tsunami.. [2-3]

L3 Unsupported valid inferences about the government’s reaction / nature of government’s help

e.g. Source A tells me that the Sri Lankan government was caring, sympathetic or generous / The government acted quickly and effectively.
[3]

L4 Supported valid inferences

e.g. (L3) + I can tell this because it says the government “allocated 70 million rupees” and “have already dispatched large stocks of rice and essentials to the north and east” i.e. areas affected by the tsunami. [4]

L5 Inferred purpose

e.g. (L4) + As the source is from the official website of the Sri Lankan government, most probably, the government is taking political advantage (purpose) of the situation to show the international audience/Tamils that it cares about the welfare of all its Tamil citizens even Tamil Tigers and their supporters who lived in the Tsunami affected areas in the north and east. [5]

Note from the Ess : Notice that to get the highest marks you need to have Purpose and content to explain the purpose.

(b) Study Source B.
Are you surprised by what this source says about the reaction of the Sri Lankan government to the tsunami disaster? Explain your answer. [7]

L1 Identifies content which is surprising / not surprising, but no reason given

e.g. Not surprised that the “government agencies and army were much slower to react in the Tamil areas.” It is understandable why the LTTE reacted faster and “lost no time in organizing relief and disposing of dead bodies in the areas” while the government were slower because these areas are “under the LTTE control,” hence they have access to the place.

OR

Unexplained provenance [1]

L2 Commonsense reasons given for surprised / not surprised

i.e. no use of contextual knowledge of the Sinhalese-Tamil conflict / other sources

e.g. Not surprised because the government is made up of Sinhalese. Hence it is logical that they will help their own people first. [2]

L3 Not surprised, provenance explains why source is critical

e.g. Not surprised, although the source is an independent organization, it is based in India. Hence it could be biased towards the Tamils and hence would be critical of the Sinhalese-majority government. [3]

L4 Surprised / not surprised, explained by cross-reference to other sources

4m for weak cross-references

5m if cross reference is done properly

e.g. Surprised, because it implied that the government does not care about the Tamils in the north as it mentioned that the “government has been insensitive to the tragedy suffered by the Tamils.” This assertion that the government does not care about the Tamils in the north is not true as it is opposed by Source A which mentioned that the government “allocated 70 million rupees” and “have already dispatched large stocks of rice and essentials to the north and east” i.e. areas affected by the tsunami, implying that the government is caring/sympathetic to Tamils living in tsunami affected areas.

OR

e.g. Not surprised, because it implied that the government treated the Sinhalese better than the Tamils as it mentioned that the “government has been insensitive to the tragedy suffered by the Tamils” and “concentrated their efforts on the Sinhalese-majority areas.” This assertion the government treated the Sinhalese better than the Tamils is true as it is supported by Source C which mentioned that the government “channeled vast sums of international aid to the south, which has a Sinhalese majority” and “the tsunami victims in the north are still suffering in welfare centres without adequate aid and other assistance.”.
[4-5]

L5 Not surprised, explained with reference to the Tamil-Sinhalese conflict

6m for undeveloped references to the conflict

7m when conflict is used in the development of the explanation

e.g. [L4] + Not surprised that the government “ignored the LTTE’s request for heavy equipment to repair damaged roads” because the LTTE are against the Sri Lankan government. They have caused a lot of trouble to the government. They went back on their words by not putting down their arms and make the peace agreement impossible. Hence it is logical that the government ignored the LTTE’s request as the LTTE may make use of the situation to further their cause. [6-7]

Note from the Ess : Notice to get the highest marks you need to have cross reference +contextual knowledge.

(c) Study Source C.
Why do you think the Tamil Tiger commander made this speech? Explain your answer. [6]

L1 Reasons based on content – what he thinks or feels / what was happening or the situation
1m for 1 reason
2m for 2 reasons

e.g. He feels that the government is unfair, “channelling vast sums of international aid to the south, which has a Sinhalese majority” and ignoring “the tsunami victims in the north [who are Tamils] and suffering in welfare centres without adequate aid and other assistance.”.
[1-2]

L2 Reasons based on content – messages / what he wanted to say
i.e. These answers are based solely on the content of Source C

2m for 1 reason
3m for 2 reasons

e.g. He made the speech to highlight (purpose word) to the international audience that the government is biased towards the Sinhalese and uncaring towards the Tamils as he said that “the government “channeled vast sums of international aid to the south, which has a Sinhalese majority” and “the tsunami victims in the north are still suffering in welfare centres without adequate aid and other assistance.”. [2-3]

L3 Reasons based on context: because of the Tamil-Sinhalese conflict / the conference / the status of the Tigers
i.e. awareness of context beyond what is mentioned in Source C

OR

Reasons based on purpose: impact on audience – what he wanted the audience to do (sic)

e.g. He made the speech to convince the international audience (audience) about the discriminating actions of the government towards the Tamils i.e. the government is biased towards the Sinhalese and uncaring towards the Tamils as he said that “the government “channeled vast sums of international aid to the south, which has a Sinhalese majority” so that they would put pressure on the government to channel the aid they have given to develop the north. (outcome)[4]

L4 L2 + L3 [5-6]

Note from the Ess : Notice to get the highest level you need to have Purpose, Audience and Outcome(PAO) which is what we have been stressing all this time in our lesson.

(d) Study Sources D and E.
Does Source E prove that what the UN claimed in Source D was true? Explain your answer. [7]

L1 Assertion rejecting what Source E shows / what Source D says

e.g. No. Source D said that the UN claimed that “the Tamil Tiger rebels have been recruiting child soldiers from relief camps”, but Source E does not show that this is happening [1]

L2 Assertion based on provenance of Source D / Source E

Based on provenance of Source D

e.g. Yes, because it is from the BBC News website. If they report something that is not true, UN may sue them.

OR

Based on provenance of Source E

e.g. Yes, because it is from an article published by the Human Rights Watch, the largest human rights organization based in the US. [2]

L3 No, because the picture does not show a Tamil. The child looked more like a Vietnamese! [3]

L4 Yes. Uncritical acceptance of proof based on comparison of Source D and E

4m for weak comparison
5m if comparison is good

e.g. Yes, both sources agree that the Tamil Tigers are recruiting child soldiers. Source D mentioned that the UN claimed that “the Tamil Tiger rebels have been recruiting child soldiers from relief camps.” Similarly, the Human Rights Watch’s article also mentioned that “Tamil Tigers recruit child soldiers.”
[4-5]

L5 No, because Tigers deny it in Source D

e.g. No. Source D mentioned that the UN claimed that “the Tamil Tiger rebels have been recruiting child soldiers from relief camps”, but the BBC news reported that the “Tamil Tigers have denied any involvement in the recruitment incidents.” [6]

L6 No, because Source E predates the tsunami

e.g. No. Although the Human Rights Watch’s article mentioned that “Tamil Tigers recruit child soldiers,” the article was dated 11 Nov 2004 while Source D is from the BBC News website and the article is dated 13 Jan 2005. As Source E predates the tsunami, it is not believable and hence cannot be used to prove that the UN claimed that “the Tamil Tiger rebels have been recruiting child soldiers from relief camps.”

OR
Yes/No based on evaluation of provenance

e.g. Yes, because it is from an article published by the Human Rights Watch, the largest human rights organization based in the US. Since their mission is to protect the rights of people, they will definitely publish the article to highlight to the international audience (maybe to the overseas Tamils) that the Tamil Tigers are exploiting children so that the overseas Tamils would not support the Tamil Tigers.

OR

No but likely because it suggests increased probability of such incident
e.g. No, because the Human Rights Watch’s article mentioned that “Tamil Tigers recruit child soldiers,” was dated 11 Nov 2004 while Source D is from the BBC News website and the article is dated 13 Jan 2005. As Source E predates the tsunami, it cannot be used to prove that the UN claimed that “the Tamil Tiger rebels have been recruiting child soldiers from relief camps after the tsunami.” But it is very likely (highly probable) that the Tamil Tigers would continue to recruit the child soldiers in the relief camp after the tsunami. [7]

Note from the Ess: Notice that you have to be very observant when you analysis the source. You are expected to get information form the background, see the date to make judegement to see if it is reliable or not.

Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and then answer all the questions.

You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions,in addition to those sources you are told to use. In answering the questions you should use your knowledge of the topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources.

Issue : How far did the Sinhalese-Tamil conflict impact on the efforts to help victims of the December 2004 tsunami?

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Read this carefully. It may help you answer some of the question.

On 26th December 2004 a huge tsunami(tidal wave) struck many nations around the Indian Ocean. One of the nations worst affected was Sri Lanka,with tens of thousands of people killed or made homeless. The north and east coasts were in the direct path of the tsunami. This area had a population that was mainly Tamil, and much of it was controlled by the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or the Tamil Tigers). Other areas of Sri Lanka were badly hit too. Study the following sources to find out how far the Sinhalese-Tamil conflict impacted on the efforts to help the victims of the December 2004 tsunami.

Source A: From the official website of the Sri Lanka government, 28 December 2004.

Government agents in the north and east have been instructed to assess the damage and estimate the immediate requirements of the people displaced by the tidal waves. Districts in the north and the east have been allocated the sum of 70 million rupees(about 2.5 million Singapore dollars)for immediate relief efforts. Agents can spend this money according to the needs of the people affected by the disaster. Large stocks of food and other essentials have already been sent out, while total requirements of rice will be purchased locally. Requests from the Tamil Tigers for assistance are being met by the government. University students, Sri Lanka military and police personal are donating blood for victims in the north.

Sources B: From a report published on 10 January 2005 by the South Asia Analysis Group an independent organisation based in India.

After the disaster, the LTTE lost no time in organising relief and disposing of dead bodies in the areas under its control.Government agencies and the army were much slower to react in the Tamil areas. Instead, they concentrated their efforts on the Sinhalese-majority areas. Pro-LTTE sources have claimed that the Government has been insensitive to the tragedy suffered by the Tamils, and has tried to take political advantage of it. This could be seen when the government took over the running of relief camps set up by pro-LTTE organisations in Tamil areas controlled by the government.

Source C: From a speech by a Tamil Tiger commander at a conference held in Jaffna on 20 January 2005 to discuss tsunami relief,a s reported by a pro-Tamil website. The conference was chaired by the Jaffna District Government Agent and attended by the United Nations representatives as well as heads of local government departments.

Two-thirds of the loss of lives and property caused by the tsunami has been in Tamil areas in the north east. But the Sri Lanka government is channelling vast sums of international aid to the south,which has a Sinhaleses majority. Big housing schemes and other projects are being launched in the south, but the tsunami victims in the north are still suffering in welfare centres without adequate aid and other assistance.

Source D: From the BBC News website,13 January 2005.

The United Nations (UN) says that Tamil Tiger rebels have been recruiting child soldiers from the relief camps set up after the December's tsunami. 'In the aftermath of the tsunami, you would have hoped recruitment would have stopped,' a UN spokesman told the BBC. The Tamil Tigers have denied any involvement in the incidents. The spokesman said that having to keep a check on child recruitment was taking away resources that the UN could be using to help children affected by the tsunami.

Source E : A photograph from an article entitled 'Tamil Tigers recruit child soldiers',published on teh website of Human Right Watch, teh largest human rights organisation based in the USA,11 Nov 2004.

Source Based Question on the ERP

2008-10-15T14:04:00.000-07:00

(b) Study Sources B and C

To what extent are they different? Explain your answer. (7)

Question target: Comparison of sources

L1 Difference in source type (1 mark - 2 marks)

e.g. Source B is a textual source while Source C is a cartoon (3 marks)

L2 Differences AND/OR Similarities in content, unsupported

Eg: Infering the Difference
Sources B and C differ in portraying the citizens’ reaction to the ERP scheme. Source B seems to be receptive towards the scheme while Source C seems to be unreceptive towards the scheme.
AND / OR

Infering the Similarity

Both sources acknowledge that ERP is needed in Singapore.

L3 Differences OR similarities in content, with support (4 marks-5 marks)

Award 3m for 1 difference OR 1 similarity, supported
Award 4m for 2 differences OR 2 similarities, supported

e.g.Sources B and C differ in portraying the citizens’ reaction to the ERP scheme. Source B seems to be receptive towards the scheme while Source C seems to be unreceptive towards the scheme. (Infering the differences)

This is seen from the line in Source B, “We will definitely see the public transport system becoming more prevalent and numbers of cars being brought down to inevitably make way for more efficient public transport.” The word “definitely” used here suggests that the speaker is very confident that the ERP will bring about lesser congestion. (Content and Explanation)

Source C, seems to think otherwise judging from the displeasure facial expression of the lady in the cartoon. She seems displeased that she would have to “pay” for owning a car. (Content and Explanation)

L4 Differences AND similarities in content, supported I

Award 4 marks 1 difference AND 1 similarity, supported
Award 5m for 2 differences AND 2 similarities, supported

L5 Similarities in tone / purpose, explained (7 marks)

e.g. Both source differ in their tone towards the ERP scheme. (Infer on tone)

Source B is obviously supportive of it and thinks that it is a brilliant idea as “We will definitely see …numbers of cars being brought down …” He believes that the ERP will work for the good of Singapore. (Content and Explanation)

The cartoonist in Source C mocks and ridicules the ERP policy as being ridiculous. The mechanic’s answer “Yes – when the ERP starts!” and the incredulous facial expression of the lady strongly suggests that the policy is nothing more but to “punished car owners rather than to ease traffic congestion. (Content and Explanation)

(c) Study Sources D and E

Both sources gave opposing views on the effectiveness of the ERP. Does it make one of them wrong? Explain your answer. (6)

Question Target: Comparing Reliability of 2 sources

L1 Both sources are different , so one must be wrong Or identify differences but no explanation OR Provenance only (1 mark)

e.g. Since Source D is published in the Straits Times, it must be correct as Singapore newspaper will not publish inaccurate views. Source E, on the other hand, is merely an opinion and is not checked and corrected as anything can be uploaded into the Internet.

L2 Choice based on content only (3 mark)

e.g. Source E is more right compared to Source D. Source D is merely based on his opinions and not on facts. He was merely giving his views on what he thinks about the ERP. Source D, on the other hand, carries more weight as the speaker actually compares Singapore to that of Bangkok and then concludes that Singapore will end up like Bangkok if the congestion on the roads are not checked. I accept Source E to be the one that is right.

L3 Not wrong, just about differences based on things, place, time or people
Different view point (4 marks)

e.g. Since the ERP scheme is a debatable topic, it is undoubtedly something that can be argued for or against. Both are not wrong. They are merely based on different opinions or people.

The speaker in source D could be a driver himself who has seem no impact of the ERP scheme itself and thus questions it while the speaker the Source E could be a pedestrian who would not feel the pinch of the ERP rates.

L4 Choice based on Biasness, Tone , purpose, explain (5 marks)

e.g. Source D is obviously the wrong one here. The speaker has a negative attitude towards the ERP scheme and questions the justification of the scheme over and over again, shown in the line “I am confused and annoyed by policies affecting car ownership in Singapore.” He mocks the government’s wisdom in policy making and seems to try to illicit negative attitude from other fellow Singaporeans towards this policy.

Source E, on the other hand, justifies the ERP policy by comparing it to another country which faces a bad traffic congestion as shown in “Without the ERP, we might turn into a Bangkok.”

L5 Choice, based on Cross-reference to other sources or contextual knowledge (6 marks)

e.g. The line in Source E, “Without the ERP, we might turn into a Bangkok” implies that Singapore will face bad traffic congestion if left unchecked and that the ERP will help prevent that. This can be supported by Source F, “So if we want more cars on our roads, and at the same time, we also want smooth-flowing traffic on these roads, then invariably ERP rates will go higher and the coverage will be more extensive. This is the key trade-off.” This supports the fact that the ERP is needed to help prevent traffic congestion, a similar point pointed out in Source E. This, by itself, contradicts the speaker in Source D when he says that, “I am confused and annoyed by policies affecting car ownership in Singapore.” The speaker seems to think that ERP is merely an annoyance and not a necessity as painted by both Source E and Source F.

Study Source F

Does this source help in your understanding that the implementation of the ERP is a pragmatic approach? Explain your answer (7)

Question target: Utility of source

L1 Uncritical Acceptance that the Source is useless OR useful (1 mark)

e.g. Source F is useless as evidence he is not the Minister of Transport himself

L2 Useful, because Minister did say that it is for the best interest of the country (2 marks)

L3 Useful, because of the information it reveals (3 marks -4 marks)

e.g. Source F is useful as evidence as it tells us that it is not possible to have a higher number of cars on the road and a smooth-flowing traffic. And as such, the ERP has to be implemented even though the government knows that “it is an unpopular policy.” This means that the scheme is done out of pragmatism.

L4 Useful, because it is by a Minister of Singapore itself. (4 marks)

e.g. Source F is useful as it comes from a Singapore minister himself. Being a minister, his main aim is to ensure that everything done such as policy-making is for the best interest of the country whether or not the policy is popular with the citizens.

L5 Useless due to missing information that Source F contains by referring to other sources (5 marks - 7 marks)

SBQ on Northern Ireland

2008-10-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and then answer all the questions.

You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions, in addition to those sources you are told to use. In answering the questions you should use your knowledge of the topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources.

1(a)Study Source A.

What can you learn from this source about the Civil Right movement in Northern Ireland? Explain your answer, referring to details of the source.(5)

(b)Study Source B

Why do you think the artist made this statement? Explain your answer.(6)

(c)Study Source C.

Are you surprised by what this source says about the reason for the Civil Right movement in Northern Ireland? (7)

(d)Study Source D and Source E.

Does Source E prove that what shocked viewers across the world in Source D was true?
(7)

Who was responsible for the riots during the Civil Rights March of 1968?

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Read this carefully. It may help you answer some of the questions.

On 24 August, 1968 the first civil rights march was organized by the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA). This first march passed off peacefully but not so a demonstration held a few weeks later on 5 October in Derry. This was banned by the Unionist government and the few hundred who turned out to defy the ban, found themselves sandwiched between lines of baton wielding policemen and were ruthlessly beaten.

That night the television news showed pictures of the police attacking the marchers. The shock and anger this created turned the civil rights campaign into a mass movement.

Source A: Picture showing a mural of the Civil Right March of 5 October 1968. It is drawn by one of the 'The Bogside Artists' William Kelly in Derry, Northern Ireland.

Source B: From a website by the artists who drew the Civil Right
Mural.

Three individuals make up the group known as 'The Bogside Artists' - Tom Kelly, Kevin Masson and William Kelly. The group is famous for their murals in the area of Derry, Northern Ireland.

These murals depict key events of 'the Troubles' in the city since 1968. The artists have lived in the Bogside most of their lives and have experienced the worst of the conflict. In telling this story they have served to acknowledge with dignity if not pride the price paid by those who became victims of the struggle for democratic rights.

Source C: From the BBC News website

Unionists had ruled Northern Ireland for more than 50 years. During that time, the nationalist and Catholic minorities were subject to various kinds of discrimination.

In the late 1960s a group of nationalists, the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, began to work for change. It catalogued discrimination against Catholics in housing and employment and demanded equal voting rights for all in local government elections.

Source D: Information obtained from Wikipedia

NICRA and the Derry Housing Action Committee organised a march to be held in Derry on 5 October 1968. William Craig, the Northern Ireland Home Affairs Minister, banned the civil rights march from the city centre.
When the demonstrators defied the ban, they were baton-charged by the Royal Ulster Constabulary who injured many marchers, including West Belfast MP Gerry Fitt. Television pictures of the march taken by RTÉ cameraman, Gay O'Brien, shocked viewers across the world.

Source E: A photograph from the Museum of Free Derry showing the scene in Rossville Street, 13th August 1965.

Suggested Answers

1(a) Study Source A.

What can you learn from this source about the Civil Right movement in Northern Ireland? Explain your answer, referring to details of the source (5)

The Civil Right movement was no n-violence as the mural show a happy, almost festive occasion conducted by people who were content that they were standing up, at long last, against prolonged injustice.
The aim of the march was to bring about the elimination of discrimination in government. This is shown in the poster with words like anti-sectarian, and one man one vote which shows that the march was proetsting against the action of the Protest goevrnment who were favouring the Protestant.

(b) Why do you think the artist made this statement? Explain your answer. (6)

The artists want to convince the viewer that what their intention was to describe ‘The Trouble’ as it was. This is because they have lived in the Bogside most of their lives and have experienced the worst of the conflict.

They want the viewer to recognize the price that some people have paid to fight for their right.

(c) Study Source C.

Are you surprised by what this source says about the reason for the Civil Right movement in Northern Ireland? (7)

No I am not surprise by what this source says about the reason for the Civil Right movement in Northern Ireland.

The nationalist and the Catholic minorities have been discriminated for more then 50 years during the Unionists rule.
There fore I am not surprise when they demand for housing and employment and equal rights for all in local government election.

This is supported by Source A which is a mural showing that the people asking for jobs and to have the one man one vote system.

Therefore I expected the reason for the Civil Right movement in Northern Ireland.

(d) Study Source D and Source E.

Does Source E prove that what shocked viewers across the world in Source D was true? (7)

No,it does not prove that what shocked viewers acroos the world in Source D was true as Source E was taken in August while the event described in Source D took place in October.

In addition, the picture did not show protester being baton-charged by the Royal Ulster Constabulary but a burning building.

However Source E is useful in tell me that demonstrators and riots are covered by television crew as Source E shows a televsion crew capturing an event that is taking place in Derry.

Therefore I can infer and guess that the event in Source D would be covered by the television crew and the ocitures taken would shocked the world.
But Source E cannnot prove compeletely that what shicked the viewers across the world in Source D is true.

Student' Essay : Conflict in Multi-Ethnic Societies: Case Study of Sri Lanka

2008-09-30T02:01:00.000-07:00

Conflict in Multi-Ethnic Societies: Case Study of Sri Lanka

a. To what extent is citizenship rights responsible for the conflict between Sinhalese and Tamils?

The Sinhalese and the Tamils have been having conflict in Sri Lanka. Most of the issues revolve around the discriminatory policies against the Tamils practiced by the Sri Lankan government which prefers Sinhalese, the majority.

One of such policy is the citizenship rights. In 1948, when Sri Lanka gained independence, only those born in Sri Lanka or whose forefathers were born there were given Sri Lankan citizenship. This caused many Indian Tamils to be stateless, although they have contributed significantly to Sri Lankan economy. They resent the government and this was one of the sparks that ignite the conflict between the Tamils and the Sinhalese. Since 2003, though, this issue had been resolved, making this an irrelevant cause for the present conflict.

Another policy is the ‘Sinhala Only’ language policy. Sinhala was to be used as the only language in government officer. Tamils who work in the government offices are to learn Sinhala in three years or face retrenchment. This upset many Tamil civil servants as it was very hard for them to learn Sinhala. This policy seems to discriminate Tamils and thus aggravate the resentment between the Tamils and the Sinhalese.

University admission criteria is another unfair policy practised by the Sri Lankan government. Since the 1970s, Tamil students have to score higher than Sinhalese students in order to enter the same course in the universities. This system does not agree with the principle of meritocracy and upsets Tamil students who found it difficult to get into universities. Many youths thus, seeing no future, decided to join LTTE, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, to fight for their rights and to gain an independent Tamil state from Sri Lanka. The fuelled resentment between youths makes the conflict much worse since it now affects the younger generation, making the conflict continues to the next generations.

In conclusion, although there are many factors responsible for the conflict between the Sinhalese and Tamils, I think university admission criteria is the one which is most responsible for it.

Citizenship rights might have started the conflict, but since 2003, the Tamils have received their citizenship. The ‘Sinhala Only’ language policy is also not the one most responsible for the conflict since Tamil has since been adopted as an official language in Tamil-dominated areas. It did add to the resentment between both sides, but not anymore.

Besides, after one generation, it is possible to have Sinhala-speaking Tamils. University admission criteria is the one that has not yet been resolved until now, and this creates uneducated Tamil youths. One might say they do not necessarily turn to violence, but one must also understand that it is not easy for uneducated people to express their opinions and thoughts.

Moreover, having small number of Tamils entering the university and having a small number of degree-holders, less Tamils can get into government jobs, making it even harder for them to fight for their rights peacefully.

Thus I think citizenship rights come after university admission criteria as a cause of conflict in Sri Lanka, but before the ‘Sinhala Only’ language policy.

Well done. L6 12/12 Can any one tell me why?

b. “The most serious consequence of the Sinhalese-Tamil conflict is the economic devastation of the country.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

The conflict between the Sinhalese and the Tamils had brought devastation to the once modern country. Among those are political, economic and social consequences.

Economic consequences are unavoidable when a conflict strikes a country. In Sri Lanka’s case, the conflict had greatly reduced the number of tourists and caused great loss of foreign investments. Tourists do not dare to go to Sri Lanka since it is unsafe with LTTE’s attacking every part of the country. Foreign businessmen also do not dare to invest in Sri Lanka since their factories could be destroyed in a terrorist attack in the country anytime. The attacks and riots destroying factories and industries also cause unemployment. All these brought economic devastation to the country, leaving the whole Sri Lanka to suffer in poverty.

There are also social consequences brought about by this conflict. Tamils, fearing conflict and discrimination, are forced out of their homeland to somewhere else, for example India, to migrate for safety. The conflict has also left a scar between the Sinhalese and the Tamils. The hatred between them might stay for generations to come, creating a society divided by suspicion and distrust. Crime rates are also high since economic conditions are poor. Orphans and squatters are abundant due to terrorist bombings and economic problems. This shows how social consequences can further damage the country.

Political consequences are also a consequence of the conflict. There are armed conflict between Sinhalese and Tamils, causing high mortality rate in Sri Lanka. There had been numerous clashes between the Sinhalese and the Tamils, with Sri Lankan policemen and army not trying to remedy the situation but participate in attacks against Tamils. Armed conflict brought about not only deaths but also caused an increase in handicapped people, generated great loss of money and hinders development. Also, there is foreign intervention by India. India dropped supply at Jaffna for the Tamils and entered Sri Lankan airspace illegally by doing so. Political consequences suffered by Sri Lanka were heavy.

In conclusion, I disagree that economical consequences are the most serious consequence of the Sinhalese-Tamil conflict in Sri Lanka. In my opinion, political consequence is the most serious consequence, followed by economic consequence and social consequence.

Political consequences include armed conflict which causes instability in the country, causing economic problems as people dare not to go to Sri Lanka for holiday or investments. Afterwards, since there are economic problems, came social problems that arose mostly due to poverty and instability and the unsafeness of the region. Political consequence is the underlying cause of the other two consequences and thus I think s the most serious one.

Economic consequences follow behind as the second-most serious consequences, as it brought heavy damages to the country. In turn, economic consequences brought about by political consequences caused social consequences.

Thus social consequences were the least serious out of the three consequences.
In addition to political consequences as the underlying cause of the other two consequences, if India did not withdraw its troops in 1990 and keep violating Sri Lanka’s airspace, it is not improbable that India would have taken over Sri Lanka, it being weakened by so much devastation brought about by the conflict – this would have been disastrous for Sri Lanka’s sovereignty.

Vanessa/4A/23

2008-09-24T06:56:00.000-07:00

“Only the Tamils suffered in the conflict in Sri Lanka.”
How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

Level 1
Describe the conflict in Sri Lanka with no reference to the suffering of the Tamils.
Award 1 mark for general description.

e.g. The conflict between the Tamil and Sinhalese occurred because the Tamil felt that they were treated unfairly and so decided to demand for the formation of a new state called Tamil Eelam.(1-2)

Level 2
Agree with the statement that the Tamil suffered and describe their suffering but with no link to the conflict AND/OR disagree with the statement and describe the suffering of the Sinhalese with no link to the conflict.

e.g. The Tamil suffered a lot as they lost their land, the Tamil civil servants lost their jobs if the could not speak Sinhalese and the youth could not go to the University for engineering and medical courses. They also lose their citizenship rights. So I agree that the Tamil suffered.

Or
The Sinhalese suffered as their economy declined. Economic growth did not take place as there was no foreign direct investment which lead to unemployment. Moreover the tourist find Sri Lanka less attractive so they do not come which lead to even more unemployment. In addition, many soldiers in the Sinhalese army and civilians died in the conflict. Thus I disagree with the statement as the Sinhalese suffered too. (3-4)

Level 3
Agree with the statement that the Tamil suffered and explain how the conflict brings about their suffering OR disagree with the statement and explain how the conflict lead to the suffering of the Sinhalese.

Award 5 marks for one explanation of the effect on either the Tamil or the Sinhalese, and an additional mark for further explanations, to a maximum of 7 marks.

Yes, I agree that the Tamil suffered during the conflict. Many Tamil lost their home land when the Sinhalese implemented the resettlement policy. The worst is when India intervene Sri Lanka. India’s intervention was a serious violation of Sri Lanka’s sovereignty. For example, in 1987, the Sri Lankan government was forced by India to sign a peace accord with the LTTE. When the peace accord was broken because the LTTE did not surrender their arms, the Indian government ordered 2000 more Indian troops to fight ethnic Tamil Tigers in the Jaffina Peninsula. This move resulted in even more violence in the country and prolonged the armed conflict. Indian troops and police commandos faced intense combat to the east and northwest of Jaffna town, a stronghold of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the main rebel group. When fighting broke out, the Tamil have to moved out of their home land and become refugees. This brought about suffering for the Tamil and so I agree with the statement that the Tamil suffered in the conflict in Sri Lanka.

OR

In the riots and armed struggles caused by the conflict, many people are killed. Many who are killed are likely to be the Sinhalese from the army or Sinhalese civilian who are killed by the bombs set by the Tamil Tiger. They are usually breadwinners of families, plunging them into poverty and starvation.

The ensuing riots and terrorism also resulted in the destruction of factories and businesses, effectively causing even more employment in the city of Colombo. This vicious cycle of poverty is made worse by the loss of investments from other countries as in times of instability, investors from other countries may not have the confidence to invest in the country. Foreign investment dropped from US$66 million in 1982 to US$39 million in 1983, and a further decline to US$22 million in 1986.

Tourism, one of Sri Lanka’s major income earners, was also seriously damaged by the violent internal conflict. Tourist arrivals steadily decreased after the July 1983 riots. This resulted in a loss of jobs and a fall in foreign exchange earnings. This in turn, affected the economy adversely. There were also lesser funds to develop amenities and facilities for the people, such as transport and housing. As most of these jobs belong to the Sinhalese, I can conclude that the conflict has caused more suffering to the Sinhalese. (5-7)

Level 4
Both elements of L3
Award 8 marks for one explanation each of both the suffering of the Tamil and the Singhalese. Award additional marks for further explanations, to a maximum of 10 marks. 8 - 10

Level 5
L4+ shows how both the suffering of the Tamil and the Sinhalese are interrelated/interdependent.

Award 11 marks for one explanation to show how the two group of people suffered from the conflict. Award additional marks for further explanations to a maximum of 13 marks.

In the conflict in Sri Lanka both the Tamil and Sinhalese suffered especially with the lost of life to the armed conflict. Both sides have men who were killed as soldiers, as guerillas and as innocent civilians. Both could not enjoy peaceful lives as long as the conflict remains. Therefore both the Tamils and Sinhalese suffered in this conflict.
11 - 13

Read the website entitled Sri Lankan families count cost of war .

After reading the article who do you think suffer more?

What Is Globalization?

2008-09-20T03:51:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting essay on globalisation. Not for the faint hearted. But of you can understand this essay you are on your way to an A1 for English and of course Combined Humanities

What Is Globalization?

Globalization is a process of interaction and integration among the people, companies, and governments of different nations, a process driven by international trade and investment and aided by information technology.

This process has effects on the environment, on culture, on political systems, on economic development and prosperity, and on human physical well-being in societies around the world.

Globalization is not new, though. For thousands of years, people—and, later, corporations—have been buying from and selling to each other in lands at great distances, such as through the famed Silk Road across Central Asia that connected China and Europe during the Middle Ages.

Likewise, for centuries, people and corporations have invested in enterprises in other countries. In fact, many of the features of the current wave of globalization are similar to those prevailing before the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.

But policy and technological developments of the past few decades have spurred increases in cross-border trade, investment, and migration so large that many observers believe the world has entered a qualitatively new phase in its economic development.

Since 1950, for example, the volume of world trade has increased by 20 times, and from just 1997 to 1999 flows of foreign investment nearly doubled, from $468 billion to $827 billion.

Distinguishing this current wave of globalization from earlier ones, author Thomas Friedman has said that today globalization is “farther, faster, cheaper, and deeper.”

This current wave of globalization has been driven by policies that have opened economies domestically and internationally. In the years since the Second World War, and especially during the past two decades, many governments have adopted free-market economic systems, vastly increasing their own productive potential and creating myriad new opportunities for international trade and investment.

Governments also have negotiated dramatic reductions in barriers to commerce and have established international agreements to promote trade in goods, services, and investment. Taking advantage of new opportunities in foreign markets, corporations have built foreign factories and established production and marketing arrangements with foreign partners. A defining feature of globalization, therefore, is an international industrial and financial business structure.

Technology has been the other principal driver of globalization. Advances in information technology, in particular, have dramatically transformed economic life. Information technologies have given all sorts of individual economic actors—consumers, investors, businesses—valuable new tools for identifying and pursuing economic opportunities, including faster and more informed analyses of economic trends around the world, easy transfers of assets, and collaboration with far-flung partners.

Globalization is deeply controversial, however.

Proponents of globalization argue that it allows poor countries and their citizens to develop economically and raise their standards of living, while opponents of globalization claim that the creation of an unfettered international free market has benefited multinational corporations in the Western world at the expense of local enterprises, local cultures, and common people.

Resistance to globalization has therefore taken shape both at a popular and at a governmental level as people and governments try to manage the flow of capital, labor, goods, and ideas that constitute the current wave of globalization.

To find the right balance between benefits and costs associated with globalization, citizens of all nations need to understand how globalization works and the policy choices facing them and their societies.

Globalization101.org tries to provide an accurate analysis of the issues and controversies regarding globalization, especially to high-school and college students, without the slogans or ideological biases generally found in discussions of the topics. We welcome you to our website.

http://www.globalization101.org/What_is_Globalization.html

After reading this article, and refering to chapter 2 book four of your text book, how far do you agree that the main force that has made globalization possible has been imporvement in the transportation ? Explain your answer.

Hint on how to write the essay.

Three factors for globalisation.
Explain how improvement in transportation lead to globalization.
Explain how TNC (trade, government policy)lead to globalization.
Explain how technology lead to globalization.

Explain why you agree or disagree with the given statement.
If you agree, then you must say why transportation is the main force and the other two are not.

If you disagree, then you must explain why transportation is not the main force of globalization and why the other two are.