Knowledge Question: Why have political leaders sometimes tried to control or eradicate specific bodies of knowledge? (scope)
From TOK syllabus:
It could also include exploration of examples relating to the control of knowledge; for example, cases where political leaders and groups (such as the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia) have attempted to eradicate specific bodies of knowledge, “rewrite” history or persecute educated elites.
Research Task(10 minutes):
In pairs or threes, research who the Khmer Rouge were. What did they attempt to do?
Other groups could research other regimes that have tried to do something similar.
Knowledge Question: Do political leaders and officials have different ethical obligations and responsibilities compared to members of the general public? (ethics)
Dominic Cummings is a special adviser to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He was heavily involved in determining UK government policy during Covid-19 lockdown.