2024 VJC GP Prelim Paper 1 Answer Scheme

1 2024 VJC GP Prelim Paper 1 Answer Scheme Q1. ‘In this global age, national boundaries are no longer relevant.’ Discuss. Requirements: Students need to first unpack the defining features of a global age, where the exchange of ideas, goods, and people is commonplace. Likewise, students need to display an understanding of national boundaries as countries’ right to sovereignty, countries’ specific laws and cultures that make up their unique national identity. Key words: “no longer relevant” ● Lost the necessity and importance, or are impossible to maintain; an absolute term. Point of contention: In today’s global world, national boundaries are relevant only to the extent in which they are enforced for benefits. Countries reaping the benefits of national boundaries will maintain the necessity of their country’s sovereignty and borders. A likely approach: Far from losing their relevance in our global society today, national boundaries enable countries to grow their economies and prevent escalation of cross border conflicts. Arguments Explanations/Examples Opposing Argument National boundaries are problematic for economic development. It is unrealistic and impractical to expect countries to be self-sufficient in the manufacturing of most goods and services in the modern age. Explanation: Most if not all countries need to be plugged into the world economy/global market to ensure sustainable economic growth. National boundaries restrict trade between countries, and some countries like America also impose tariffs on imports for industries to protect their own. Examples: While there are the ironically termed “Free-Trade-Agreements”, they allow goods to flow freely only between countries that are part of the agreement. Developing countries are often made to open their economies so that the wealthier countries can purchase their natural resources, but they may not be given the same kind of access to those of the developed countries due to protectionist policies. On the other hand, multinational companies which are less restricted in their operations often have manufacturing facilities in one country, research and development facilities in another and their markets all over the world. These companies thus facilitate the flow of people, goods and resources across national boundaries, and countries suspend concepts of sovereignty to attract their investment. Possible evaluation: Economic boundaries make sense as a way of insulating the country from uncertainties from external economic factors. An example could be UK voting of Brexit, due to migration issues and funding of the European Union especially for the

2 less productive countries. In such cases, boundaries do make some sense, especially if countries want to make a clear stand about safeguarding their economy and their citizens and not providing for the economically less productive countries. Opposing argument The most pressing challenges of today’s global age are cross- border issues such as environmental and territorial issues, which render national boundaries less relevant. Explanation: The rise of regional and international organisations to foster international cooperation to resolve cross-border problems. Examples: Israel-Palestinian-Iran conflicts, terrorism, smuggling of weapons and drugs, human trafficking, haze etc. It is estimated that there are 27.6 million victims of human trafficking worldwide at any given time, according to the US Department of State. The think tank Global Financial Integrity's Transnational Crime and the Developing World report estimates the size of the global illicit drug market between US$426 and US$652 billion in 2014 alone. With a world GDP of US$78 trillion in the same year, the illegal drug trade may be estimated as nearly 1% of total global trade. In the 2024 edition of UNODC’s (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) World Drug Report, it states that in the Triple Frontier area of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, drug trafficking organizations capitalise on the porous borders, engaging in money-laundering and the smuggling of drugs and counterfeit goods. Similarly, the Golden Triangle, spanning the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar and Thailand, is a hub for opium and synthetic drug production and, more recently, wildlife trafficking and illicit resource extraction. Possible evaluation: National boundaries are important to prevent and mitigate cross border problems. Strengthening national boundaries will allow national and regional governments (i.e., ASEAN leadership) to monitor illegal activities in their states properly and to act on them more swiftly to remove these threats. Opposing Argument National boundaries may be losing relevance as they reinforce unequal power structures and discrimination. Explanation: All around the world, anti-immigrant sentiments are rising and cases of violence against migrants are commonplace. Examples: Anti-immigrant protests in Europe, Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric...etc. There are some 183,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia, mostly from Myanmar. But xenophobic sentiments have increased — as have deportations, despite official opposition to Myanmar’s military takeover. Middle- and low-income countries host a disproportionately large share of the world’s displaced people, at 76 per cent, the statistics showed.

3 A report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) showed that there were 108.4 million displaced individuals at the end of 2022, up 19 million from 2021.What makes them displaced, however, is the concept of national boundaries. They are displaced only because they left the country of their origin and are not welcome in another. While national borders are not particularly restrictive to the highly mobile, cosmopolitan parts of the population, those who are refugees are usually shunned as they are seen as unproductive and resource-grabbing. The often-raised question of “Why are we providing them with housing etc. when they are not one of us?” reveals the mentality of scarcity and how citizens are conditioned to believe that the life of one of their own is more important to one not of their own. Supporting argument National boundaries are crucial in ensuring a country’s right to sovereignty. Explanation: Sovereignty means the fulfilling of important responsibilities such as accountability to the people, assurance of the rule of law and inclusive governance. Examples: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted international outcry and protests as the invasion of a sovereign country is a gross violation of the principles of the UN Charter and of international law. Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine violates a key principle of international law: it is unacceptable for any power to violate a country’s sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity. Singapore’s response: “Unless we […] stand up for the principles that are the very foundation for the independence and sovereignty of smaller nations, our own right to exist and prosper as a nation may similarly be called into question one day.” - Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan’s Ministerial Statement on the Situation in Ukraine and its Implications, on 28 Feb 2022. Supporting argument National boundaries are needed to protect and conserve unique cultures and traditions. All countries have specific political and social contexts that affect their policies and governing. Explanation: Most if not all countries have unique cultural practices and heritage that they strive to protect. These national cultures help to promote a sense of belonging among citizens and social cohesion. Often, national cultures have