2018 Politics I Infopack

RI GP Y6 2018 / Politics and Governance I Copyrighted: Knowledge Skills Department, for internal circulation only 1 RAFFLES INSTITUTION YEAR 6 GENERAL PAPER 2018 STUDENTS’ INFORMATION PACKAGE Unit: Politics and Governance I 1. Introduction 2 2. Enduring Understandings And Essential Questions 3 3. For Further Reading/Watching 4 4. Related Past Year Examination Questions: Cambridge and RI 5 PRIMER 5. A Glossary of Basic Political Terms 9 ARTICLES 6. Governance and the State a. Definitions and Philosophical Ideas a(i). Politics and the State 11 a(ii). Classic Notions of ‘Citizens’, ‘State’ and ‘Politics’ 12 b. Goals of Government (Mind Map) 14 c. Personal Freedom and the Harm Principle 16 7. Contemporary Challenges of Governance: Democracy a. Central Concepts of Democracy 18 b. Challenges with Democracy: b(i). The Problem of Majority Rule 22 b(ii). The Ignorant Voter 24 8. Tension between Managing Resources for the Long Term and Short Term a. What Norway did with its oil and we didn’t 26 b. Pensioners prosper, the young suffer; Britain’s social contract is breaking 29 9. Tension between Individual Freedom and Social Stability a. As France and Belgium Strengthen Security, A Classic Debate Arises 32 b. Lessons from Apple vs FBI 33 10. Tension between Individual Freedom and The Power of the State a. Are Dictators Worse Than Anarchy? 37 b. Singapore’s Authoritarian Prosperity is Here to Stay 39 11. Tension between Domestic Interests and Global Pressures a. The Qatar Crisis 43 b. Japan-South Korea Relations in 2016: A Return to the Old Normal 47 12. Media and its Influence on Governance a. Social Media’s Junkies and Dealers 50

RI GP Y6 2018 / Politics and Governance I Copyrighted: Knowledge Skills Department, for internal circulation only 2 1. Introduction Politics and Governance I is meant to introduce students to basic concepts in politics. Specifically, systems of government, with a particular focus on democracy (it being the dominant form of government in the world today), the tension between individual rights and state needs, and between government and the media. As you work through this package, you should seek to (i) k now the classical definitions of the terms politics, the state and citizens, (ii) know what the roles of a government are, and decide for yourself which, in you r opinion, are the most important roles, qualifying your opinion with evidence. Crucially too, aim to have a good grasp of the essential understandings on the next page and the reasons for each. This basic package will be continued in Term II with Politics and Governance II, which takes an in-depth look into Singapore’s politics. What this package is: This package is meant to supplement your learning in class by spurring independent thinking and facilitating active discussion on questions and key issues . It is also intended for self-study to gain content knowledge, as well as reflection upon key issues raised. The articles in this package are selected and customised to be of the standard of comprehension expected of an A -level candidate. Related examination questions are highlighted beneath each article—these are meant to guide your thinking and focus your learning. For students interested in going further, links and suggested readings are provide d where appropriate. For students requiring background information, particularly with regards to specific countries, additional links are also provided beneath the appropriate articles. What this package is not: This package is NOT an exercise in memory and regurgitation, nor is it a “model answer”. General Paper is not about thoughtless memorisation of facts and/or essay scaffolds. It is about close reading of sources, critical analysis of issues raised, and the formation and clear expression of your ow n logically sound opinions, which are substantiated by factual evidence.

RI GP Y6 2018 / Politics and Governance I Copyrighted: Knowledge Skills Department, for internal circulation only 3 2. Enduring Understandings & Essential Questions: Enduring Understandings: What will students understand as a result of this unit? Countries’ methods of governance are shaped by a range of historical and socio-economic factors. EU1: Whatever the choice may be in method of governance, there will be pros & cons, effects & consequences on the people, economically and socially. Governance is about negotiation between tensions. These tensions can happen on multiple levels. EU2: The tension between individual freedom and social stability always requires compromise. EU3: The tension between individual freedom and the amount of power vested in the state always requires compromise. EU4: The tension between the needs of the majority and that of the minority always requires compromise. EU5: The tension between how resources are managed and allocated over the long term and the short term always requires compromise EU6: The tension between domestic interests and global pressures always require compromise. The increasing influence of the media on society has an impact on governance. EU7: The media can shape the public’s perceptions of and behavior towards political actors/institutions, consequentially aiding or hindering governance. Essential Questions: What are the essential questions of this unit?  What is the purpose of governance? What does it mean to have a social contract between the citizens and the government?  Why do societies need the rule of law? How do they enforce the law?  What is good governance? What do we expect from our leaders?  Can leaders cater to the interests of all, all the time? Where is the line drawn?  What are the merits and limitations of democracy? Do we have an alternative?  Why do some countries thrive with democracy, but others fail?  Should the media be controlled in a democracy?

RI GP Y6 2018 / Politics and Governance I Copyrighted: Knowledge Skills Department, for internal circulation only 4 3. For Further Reading/Watching: Recommended reading: 1) Introduction to philosophers on politics (Hobbes: Leviathan Ch. XIII , Aristotle: Politics, Plat