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 issues are also seen on a global level. 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 awareness of the local political context, 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. More difficult articles necessitating a closer read and/or higher order conceptual understanding are flagged out (see Content Page). 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 II Copyrighted: Knowledge Skills Department, for internal circulation only Page 3 of 70 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 that 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 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? 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. Is effective governance possible without democratic checks and balances? 6. How much resources should governments be required to allocate to help those who are responsible for their own problems?

RI GP Y6 2023 / Politics and Governance II Copyrighted: Knowledge Skills Department, for internal circulation only Page 4 of 70 3. For Further Reading/Viewing Recommended Reading: 1. Lee Kuan Yew, From Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965-2000. 2. Gretchen Liu, The Singapore Foreign Service: The First 40 Years 3. Cherian George, The Air-conditioned Nation: Essays on the politics of comfort and control (1990- 2000) 4. Warren Fernandez, Thinking Allowed? 5. Ghani, Peh, Teo, Lim, et al., Struck by Lightning: Singaporean Voices Post-1965 6. Kishore Mahbubani, The New Asian Hemisphere 7. Donald Low and Sudhir Vadaketh, Hard Choices: Challenging the Singapore Consensus (2014) 8. Carol Soon, Hoe Su Fern (ed.) Singapore Perspectives 2015: Choices 9. Cherian George, Singapore Incomplete (2018) 10. Teo You Yenn, This is What Inequality Looks Like (2018) 4. Related Cambridge and RI Essay Questions A. Cambridge Exam Questions 1. Consider the view that people imprisoned for crimes should lose all their rights. 2. ‘Power these days lies more with the people than the politicians.’ To what extent is this true? (Cambridge 2021) 3. ‘What an individual eats or drinks should not be the concern of the state.’ What is your view? (Cambridge 2021) 4. Should politicians pursue the popular viewpoint or their own convictions, if they conflict? (Cambridge 2020) 5. Is modern technology a benefit or threat to democracy? (Cambridge 2020) 6. ‘In a free society, there should be no restrictions on freedom of speech.’ Discuss. (Cambridge 2020) 7. To wha