Social Studies & History

SEQ

Understanding Goveranance

1. Education and the Welfare State

'The idea of a Welfare State is wrong'. How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

2. Singapore's Population

'The best way to prepare Singaporeans for their old age is to encourage individual responsibility'. How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

3. Policy Process: Formulation and Implementation

a. How far is the control of traffic flow in Singapore achieved by the Park and Ride Scheme? Explain your answer.

b. Here are three guiding principles of governance:

'Leadership is Key'

'Anticipate Change and Stay Relevant'

'Reward for Work and Work for Reward'

Is any of these more important than the others? Explain your answer.

Conflict and Harmony in Multi-ethnic Societies

1. Conflict in Sri Lanka

a. How far were the citizenship rights a cause of the conflict between Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka? Explain your answer.

b. Was the economic impact of the Tamil-Sinhalese conflict more damaging to Sri Lanka than the political impact? Explain your answer.

c. How far was language policy the cause of the conflict between Tamils and Sinhalese in Sri Lanka? Explain your answer.

d. Was the LTTE more a help than a hindrance to the Tamil cause? Explain your answer.

2. Conflict in Northern Ireland

a. How far did competition for employment explain why Catholics in Northern Ireland started the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s? Explain your answer.

b. 'Britain was wrong to send its army to Northern Ireland'.

How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

c. “The Irish conflict is mainly caused by a lack of social interaction”. How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (See suggested solution here)

3. Discord and Disunity: Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland

a. How far was the Sinhalese-Tamil conflict due to British colonial rule over Sri Lanka (Ceylon)? Explain your answer.

b. Here are three causes of the conflict in Northern Ireland:

divided loyalties

lack of voting rights

unequal employment opportunities

Was any of these more important than the others? Explain your answer.

d. Explain the causes of conflict in Northern Ireland. (See suggested solution here)

e. Explain the consequences of conflict in Northern Ireland. (See suggested solution here)

Managing International Relations

1. Conflict and Cooperation Among Countries

a. Here are three types of diplomatic relations:

Bilateral Relations

Regional Relations

Membership of the United Nations Organisation

Which do you think is the most important for Singapore? Explain your answer.

2. International Conflicts

a. How far is competition for scarce resources the reason for conflict between countries? Explain your answer.

b. Was the intervention of the USA more a help than a hindrance in resolving the Korean War? Explain your answer.

Sustaining Economic Development

1. Sustaining Singapore's Development in the 21st century

a. How far can research and development transform Singapore into a knowledge-based economy? Explain your answer.

b. Are developments in other countries a greater threat to Singapore's future economic progress than constraints within Singapore itself? Explain your answer.

Facing Challenges and Change

1. The Rise and Fall of Venice

a. To what extent was the success of Venice from the 9th century onwards due to capable leadership? Explain your answer.

b. 'The discovery of a new sea route to the East in the late 15th century was a disaster for Venice.' How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

c. How far was it the discovery of the new trade route to the East that destroyed Venice's trade? Explain your answer.

d. Was its political system more a help than a hindrance to Venice? Explain your answer.

e. To what extent was its geographical location responsible for the rise of Venice? Explain your answer.

f. 'The most important reason for Venice's decline was corruption in its government'. How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.