RI GP Infopack Politics I

RI GP Y6 2023 / Politics and Governance I Copyrighted: Knowledge Skills Department, for internal circulation only Page 1 of 78 RAFFLES INSTITUTION YEAR 6 GENERAL PAPER 2023 STUDENTS’ INFORMATION PACKAGE Unit: Politics and Governance I Primary Readings* EUs Pages 1 Introduction 2 2 Enduring Understandings and Essential Questions 3 3 For Further Reading/Viewing 4 4 Past Year Examination Questions 5-8 Section A: Governance and the State* 5. Primer – A Glossary of Basic Political Terms - 9-10 6. Politics and the State 2-4 11 7. Classic Notions of ‘Citizens’, ‘State’ and, ‘Politics’ 2-4 12-13 8. Functions of the government 1-7 14-17 9. Personal Freedom and the Harm Principle 2-4 18-20 Section B: Contemporary Challenges of Governance: Democracy 10. Central Concepts of Democracy* 1 21-24 11. The Problem of Majority Rule* 1 & 4 25-26 12. Is the epistocracy superior to democracy? 1-3 27-29 13. Why no vote is deplorable 1-3 30-32 14. Political effects of social media platforms on political regimes 1, 3 & 7 33-36 15. Managing freedom of choice in an age of ‘hyperdemocracy’ 1-3 37-39 Section C: Tension between Managing Resources for the Short and Long-term 16. Why we need to reinvent democracy to focus on the long-term* 1 & 5 40-42 17. Indian ministry seen to favour ease of business over climate goals 5 & 6 43-44 18. Economic Growth and Environmental Sustainability – A False Dichotomy 5 & 6 45-47 Section D: Tension between Managing Individual Freedom and Social Good 19. Why “Security” Keeps Winning out over Privacy* 2 & 3 48-50 20. At what point should personal freedom yield to the common good? 2 & 3 51-53 21. China eases ‘Zero Covid’ restrictions in victory for protesters 1-3, 5 54-57 Section E: Tension between Individual Freedom and the Power of the State 22. The Rise of Populist Authoritarians* 2 & 3 58-60 23. Are Dictators Worse than Anarchy? 1 & 2 61-63 24. New Zealand’s plan to outlaw smoking for the next generation is misguided 3-5 64-65 Section F: Tension between Domestic Interests and Global Pressures 25. How China’s foreign policy is driven by internal politics 6 66-68 26. Ukraine – Conflict at the Crossroads of Europe and Russia 6 69-72 27. United States Aid to Ukraine: An Investment Whose Benefits Greatly Exceed its Cost 5 & 6 73-78 Note: Those in bold denote foundational readings

RI GP Y6 2023 / Politics and Governance I Copyrighted: Knowledge Skills Department, for internal circulation only Page 2 of 78 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) know 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 your 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 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.

RI GP Y6 2023 / Politics and Governance I Copyrighted: Knowledge Skills Department, for internal circulation only Page 3 of 78 2. Enduring Understandings and 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 advantages and disadvantages, effects and 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 those of the minority always requires compromise. EU5: The tension between how resources are managed and allocated over the long-term and short- term always requires compromise EU6: The tension between domestic interests and global pressures always requires 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? 1. Is government necessary and/or avoidable (in all aspects of life)? 2. What is good governance? 3. How do competing values influence political discourse? 4. Can we have effective democratic government without knowledgeable and aware citizens? 5. Should governments be required to allocate resources to help those who are responsible for their own problems?

RI GP Y6 2023 / Politics and Governance I Copyrighted: Knowledge Skills Department, for internal circulation only Page 4 of 78 3. For Further Reading and Viewing Recommended news articles from Global Issues in Context: Log on to IVY → RI Library → E-Resources → E-Database → Global Issues In Context → type key words in the news article in the search function. 1. Politics (International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. 2nd ed. 2008) 2. Democracy (International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences 2nd ed. 2008) 3. Aid to Developing Countries (Global Issues in Context Online Collection. 2018) 4. Digital Information Privacy (Global Issues in Context Online Collection. 2018) Recommended videos from BBC Active Kanopy Play: Log on to IVY → RI Library → E-Resources → E-Database → E-Video → BBC AcƟve Kanopy Play. Note that this resource is accessible only via the school’s local network. 1. The Weathermen (terrorism) 2. Junk Food Mums (government policy and personal responsibility in healthcare) 3. Egypt: Children of the Revolution (The Arab Spring) 4. Wikileaks: Secrets and Lies Recommended reading: 1) Introduction to philosophers on politics (Hobbes: Leviathan Ch. XIII, Aristotle: Politics, Plato: The Republic, Machiavelli: The Prince 2) George Orwell: Politics and the English Language 3) Margaret Thatcher, The Downing Street Years (autobiography of the ‘Iron Lady’) 4) Margaret Thatcher,