(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.
Showing posts with label Asean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Asean. Show all posts
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, October 24, 2008
SEQ Diplomacy and Deterrance
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.
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.
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