RI GP infopack Politics II (SG)

RI GP Y6 2023 / Politics and Governance II Copyrighted: Knowledge Skills Department, for internal circulation only Page 1 of 70 *Denotes foundational readings RAFFLES INSTITUTION YEAR 6 GENERAL PAPER 2023 STUDENTS’ INFORMATION PACKAGE Unit: Politics and Governance II - Focusing on Singapore EUs Pages 1. Introduction and Learning Objectives* - 2 2. Enduring Understandings and Essential Questions* - 3 3. For Further Reading/Viewing* - 4 4. Related Past Year Examination Questions* - 4-8 Section A: Singapore and Democracy 5. Demophobic society: Singapore's allergy to the D-word weakens us* 1 & 3 9-11 6. A Defence of Singapore-style Democracy 1-3 12-15 7. Singapore needs loving critics 1-3 16-18 8. Leader of the Opposition: A turning point but also a ‘double-edged sword’ 1 & 3 18-21 Section B: Negotiating Between Freedom and Stability 9. GE2020 – Singapore’s day of decision and the challenge of a generation 2-3 22-26 10. ‘Hard choices’ for Singapore media after controversial law passed 2-3 27-30 11. Trusting Surveillance in Singapore’s ‘Smart Nation’ 2-3 31-33 12. The Myth of 'Trade Offs'* 2, 3 & 5 34-36 13. Concessions Singaporeans make in exchange for effective crisis management 2-4 37-40 Section C: Negotiating Between Inclusiveness and the Common Good 14. Of Race and National Identity 2-4 41-43 15. Unpacking the government narrative about ‘tribalism’ in Singapore 2 & 4 44-47 16. Parents’ concerns over full subject-based banding 4 48-50 17. Decision on Section 377A reflects ‘Singapore formula’ on difficult issues* 2-4 51-53 18. Re-examining Singapore's Social Security System 5 54-57 19. Singapore's Lesson: Managing Immigration to Create a Win-win Situation 5 58-60 Section D: Negotiating Between Domestic Interests and Global Concerns 20. Singapore’s approach to the challenges of an uncertain external environment* 6 61-64 21. Singapore responds to criticism of its climate pledges 6 65-67 22. Imposing sanctions on Russia despite potential costs 6 68-70

RI GP Y6 2023 / Politics and Governance II Copyrighted: Knowledge Skills Department, for internal circulation only Page 2 of 70 1. Introduction Politics and Governance II builds on fundamental concepts introduced in Politics and Governance I and throws the spotlight on Singapore. This package aims to provide information on the Singapore political context to help students better understand and appreciate the complexities of politics and governance in Singapore so as to provide a more informed response to essays or Application Question answers. Students are advised to cross-reference the issues raised in this package with those in the Politics I package (e.g. The article on Singapore’s Authoritarian prosperity in this package should also be seen as a part of Section 10 in the Politics I package.) In sum, this package was not meant to be a stand-alone compilation of readings but students should reflect on how these