EJC 2023 Promo P2 Insert

1 EUNOIA JUNIOR COLLEGE JC1 Promotional Examination 2023 General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Higher 1 GENERAL PAPER Paper 2 INSERT 8881/02 20 September 2023 1 hour 30 minutes READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST This Insert contains the passages for comprehension. This document consists of 4 printed pages.

2 Passage 1. Thomas Carothers writes about the flaws of democracy. 1 In trying to explain the dispiriting descent of American politics into pervasive paralysis, conflict, and sheer mediocrity, it is hard not to wonder if many of the ills result from intrinsic shortcomings of the democratic model itself. This outlook is gaining appeal not just because of what is happening in the United States, but because so many other democracies are encountering similar problems while authoritarianism appears to be enjoying a global surge of self-confidence. 5 2 One of democracy’s significant flaws is elite capture of political power. The distorting and often corrupting role of money is often an issue in democracies. The large sums of money needed to run for elections means campaigns are funded by wealthy individuals and corporations. There is then little surprise that politicians who go on to take office make policies that manifestly reflect the interests of the wealthy, often at a cost to the populace. Examples of such policies include tax breaks that have contributed to the rapid expansion of a class of superrich citizens in recent years . Politicians also introduce r ules and practices that make it easy for lobbyists to excessively influence policies. 10 15 3 Another flaw is pain aversion. Democratic politicians are averse to imposing near-term pain for long-term gain because of their need to keep voters happy for the next election. For example, quite a few politicians speak at length about the urgent need to restrain government spending in order to ensure future sustainability. When nearing an election, however, most are unable to refrain from signing off on even more spending on the infrastructure and services the electorate expects. 20 4 Yet another flaw is division and conflict. Competitive elections foment and sometimes intensify divisions in society. This undercuts a strong sense of national unity and purpose; it even generates conflict. Competing parties tend to accentuate differences between them rather than to emphasise common ground in their quest to win. They also often caricature and even demonise their opponents and tend to appeal more to emotion than reason in their quest for votes. The aspiration of competing ideas leading to productive compromises has never seemed further than in the polarised societies of today. 25 5 Lastly, relying on ordinary citizens to choose leaders condemns democracies to choices that reflect chronic voter ignorance and irrationality. There is reason to be sceptical