RI GP Global Issues Infopack

RI GP Y6 2023 / Global Issues Copyrighted: Knowledge Skills Department, for internal circulation only 1 RAFFLES INSTITUTION YEAR 6 GENERAL PAPER 2023 STUDENTS’ INFORMATION PACKAGE Unit: Global Issues EUs Page I Introduction 2 II Enduring Understandings and Essential Questions 3 III For Further Reading/Viewing 4 IV Related Past Year Exam Questions 5-8 Section A: Foundational Knowledge 1 Globalisation: An Explainer* 1-5 9-13 2 World Order and Challenges to It - Understanding the State of the World Today* 3 & 7 14-17 3 The Global Economy: Issues and Implications* 1-2 & 5 18-21 4 Commentary: Is it too late for the US to join the CPTPP 1-3 21-23 Section B: The State of the World Today 5 The Changing Nature of Globalisation in Our Hyperconnected, Knowledge- Intensive Economy* 1 24-26 6 Global Risks Report 2022 1, 4-5 & 7 27-30 Section C: The Global Politics of Sustainability 7 Are the SDGs Unsustainable?* *Refer to Supplementary Reading 1 on IVY for background of SDGs 4-5 31-33 8 Plenty of fish in the sea? Seafood-loving Singaporeans may not have its fill in the future 1, 3-4 33-35 9 Wildlife: The Underreported Illegal Trade 1, 3 & 8 36-39 10 One Planet, Divided under Global Warming* 2-4 & 7 40-41 11 What is in the Glasgow Climate Pact? 3-4 42-43 12 Climate Refugees – the world’s forgotten victims 1-3 44-46 Section D: World Poverty and Inequality 13 Does globalisation help or hurt the world’s poor?* 5 47-52 14 Globalisation, technology and inequality* 5 53-54 15 AI Is a Game-Changer in the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty 5 55-58 16 From the Great Resignation to Lying Flat, Workers are Opting Out 1, 5-6 58-63 17 Lost generation feared as COVID school closures fuels inequality 1-2 & 5 63-65 18 Why Foreign Aid is Hurting Africa* 5 65-69 19 The Case for Aid 5 69-73 Section E: Globalisation and the Movement of People 20 The Story of Migration Is More Positive Than We've Been Led to Believe* 1-3 & 6 74-75 21 The Other Pandemic: Human Trafficking 1-3 & 5 76-79 Section F: Changing Face of Conflict 22 Neither War Nor Peace* 7 80-82 23 Seven ways Russia’s war on Ukraine has changed the world 1, 3 & 7 83-90 24 The world is facing an upsurge of nuclear proliferation 7 91-92 25 Getting To Grips With Military Robotics 7 93-96 26 Don’t Forget About Water in 2023 4 & 7 97-99 Section G: The impact of Global Health Threats 27 The coronavirus is Killing Globalisation as We Know It 1, 3, 6 & 8 100-102 28 Why COVID-19 is likely to change globalisation, not reverse it 1, 3, 6 & 8 102-105 29 To Democratise Vaccine Access, Democratise Production 1, 3, 6 & 8 106-108 30 Key Global Health Trends to Watch in 2023* 1, 3, 6 & 8 109-112

RI GP Y6 2023 / Global Issues Copyrighted: Knowledge Skills Department, for internal circulation only 2 1. Introduction Global Issues aims to give a broad overview of recent issues that have significance on a global scale. A quick survey of international news media will reveal the prominence of issues such as globalisation, climate change, population growth, poverty and migration due to their wide-ranging global impact that will likely endure for many years to come. Given the sheer breadth of these issues, Global Issues has adopted an approach that focuses on facilitating a quick grasp of fundamental concepts needed for active participation in class discussions and critical evaluation of issues. It is hoped that the factsheets/infosheets and the views and perspectives articulated by notable individuals will give students a broad framework within which they can appreciate the dynamic development of global issues. 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 provided 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 own logically sound opinions, which are substantiated by factual evidence. Please note that American spelling has been retained for some articles as they are by American writers or from American publications.

RI GP Y6 2022 / Global Issues Copyrighted: Knowledge Skills Department, for internal circulation only Page 3 of 112 2. Enduring Understandings and Essential Questions: Enduring Understandings: What will students understand as a result of this unit? EU1: Globalisation is a multi-faceted phenomenon: we see this increased mobility, interconnectivity and exchange economically, politically and socially. EU2: The particular circumstances of different countries and individuals have a significant bearing on whether they are on the receiving end of the benefits or detriments of globalisation. Globalisation has brought about progress in various areas. However, this progress brings tensions and consequences, which governments, international organisations and individuals need to address. EU3: States use the transnational structures and bodies facilitated by globalisation to advance national interests, but these also create global responsibilities that need to be balanced alongside national interests. EU4: One key trade-off resulting from globalisation is that between economic growth and environmental sustainability. EU5: Another consequence is that while globalisation has generated wealth, uneven distribution of both resources and growth has contributed to poverty and inequality. EU6: There are also social and cultural consequences; the renewed interested in cultural preservation and the rise of xenophobia are symptoms of the backlash against globalisation. EU7: Additionally, there are geopolitical consequences: the nature of conflict has changed, in line with changing social, political, economic factors and technological advances. EU8: Moreover, there are consequences for health security: perennial health threats are exacerbated through transnational networks of people and goods. Essential Questions: What are the essential questions of this unit?  Is globalisation a positive or negative development?  Does globalisation make the state obsolete? How do global issues and interests influence the development of the state today?  What forces influence, challenge, resist and/or conciliate and mitigate the processes and consequences of globalisation?  What causes an issue to become a global issue?  Is human security ‘freedom from fear’ or ‘freedom from want’, or both?

RI GP Y6 2022 / Global Issues Copyrighted: Knowledge Skills Department, for internal circulation only Page 4 of 112 3. For Further Reading and Viewing Recommended reading: 1. 50 facts that should change the world by Jessica Williams (2004) [362.9090511 WIL] 2. Beyond the Age of Innocence: Rebuilding Trust Between America and the World by Kishore Mahbubani (2005) [327.73 MAH] 3. Bound Together by Nayan Chanda (2007) 4. False Dawn: The Delusions of Global Capitalism by John Gray (2002) [330.122 GRA] 5. Journey Into Islam: The Crisis of Globali