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 count