Question
With reference to one country in the region during the period from 1945 to 2000, evaluate the impact of health reforms on the development of the country.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates are required to appraise the health reforms employed in the chosen country and how they far they have contributed to that country’s development.
Indicative content
- Candidates may discuss the impact of state-subsidized health care on their chosen country. This could include a discussion of increased life expectancy but also the pressures that an ageing population has placed on that society.
- It could be argued that health reforms have helped to bring about greater equality in society. Public health programmes that focused on rural areas and/or the poorest in society have improved the quality of life for many.
- Women have also benefited greatly from health reforms in many countries. Family planning advice and treatment being freely accessible has allowed women greater control over their lives.
- Children have benefitted from uniform health care in many countries. These include mass immunization, regular medical and dental check-ups and access to free or low cost medical care.
- However, the nature of the state in the regulation of reproduction in countries such as China, Singapore and India also raised human rights issues.The better health of children therefore has put pressure on governments to expand educational facilities.
- In Australia, government investment in biomedical research had an impact on infectious diseases and mental health.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, it is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.
Question
“Film, music and literature reflect the values, issues and nature of a society.” With reference to one country in the region during the period from 1945 to 2000, to what extent do you agree with this statement?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Responses should offer a consideration of the merits or otherwise of the given statement. There should be recourse to specific examples and a reasoned and supported conclusion is expected. Note that any country in the region is valid although for some chosen countries it may be difficult to discuss film, music and literature equally.
Indicative content
- New Zealand may be a popular choice and candidates may discuss how films such as “Once Were Warriors” or novels like the “The Bone People” reflected many of the problems within Maori communities at this time and also the issue of unity and integration. Maori music and the Maori traditional art of kappa haka became increasingly popular by the end of the 20th century as many saw the maintenance of Maori culture and language as increasingly important.
- Other choices may include Japan and candidates may discuss how film, music and literature reflected the effects of the Americanisation of their society.
- Candidates may also choose China and show the ways communist ideals were reflected in these areas of the arts.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, it is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.
Question
Compare and contrast the economic changes in Singapore and Taiwan since 1945.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates are required to give an account of the similarities and differences with regard to the economic changes that have taken place in both countries since the end of the Second World War.
Indicative content
Comparisons:
- Both countries adopted capitalist systems that generally share the characteristics of private ownership of property and the means of production and the encouragement of private enterprise to respond to market forces.
- Other factors that influenced the economic growth may include outside forces such as: a steady expansion of world trade; globalization and the tendency for large multinational companies to grow to service global markets; the ease of access to foreign markets; and the role and influence of the American market.
- Cultural traditions may also have contributed significantly to promoting economic changes because both Singapore and Taiwan had a dominant Chinese culture: Confucian values may have favoured labour discipline; the postponement of personal gratification for the national good; the reliance upon family, clan and community support systems.
- In both countries the government played a key role in economic development and welfare was subordinated to economic growth.
Contrasts:
- There was variation between the two over the nature and degree of state control and intervention in economic planning and development and therefore political differences are relevant.
- Taiwan was established as a separate country by Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-shek) after the Guomindang, GMD (Kuomintang, KMT) defeat in 1949. In Taiwan, the new government introduced land reform that created a prosperous peasantry. It benefited from economic and military aid from the US and from investment from Chinese people living overseas. By 1968 some 90 per cent of Taiwanese farming land was owned by those who worked it. Four Year Plans for industry produced an annual growth rate of 9.7 per cent in the ten year period after 1963.
- Changes in mainland China’s economy since the 1980s provided investment opportunities and Taiwan became highly industrialized and specialized in information technology.
- Singapore was initially a British colony and then it was part of the newly formed Malaysian federation, but became independent in 1965. Under the People’s Action Party (PAP), it developed as an industrial, commercial, business and tourist centre.
- Singapore developed a market economy and rapidly industrialized. International companies invested in Singapore due to its location, corruption-free system, highly educated workforce, low tax rates and reliable infrastructure. The use of English as a working language helped facilitate these changes.
- Singapore became a major port for the region and a hub for commerce, trade and banking.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, it is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.
Question
With reference to two of the following countries: the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Burma, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, examine the factors that have helped and hindered their political development.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates are expected to demonstrate a clear understanding of the conditions in which political developments took place. While some of those conditions may have been beneficial, others may have limited political development. Political development could include a discussion of the following: how these countries gained independence from a colonial power; the ways they created a strong national identity; the establishment of democratic government and their relations with other countries in the region and/or the wider world. Factors that have helped or hindered this development could include conflict; the impact of the Cold War in the region; intervention from foreign powers; ethnic and religious diversity; extremist/radical groups; economic conditions and effective leadership. Cambodia and Singapore have been used as the examples below, but any combination of two of the listed countries is acceptable.
Indicative content
Cambodia
- Sihanouk declared independence in 1945.
- Partly because of the Vietnam War, the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot came to power in1975. The years of Khmer Rouge rule resulted in genocide and an invasion by Vietnam in 1977/1978.
- In 1991 came the eventual withdrawal of Vietnamese troops and the establishment of the United Nations transitional Authority in Cambodia from 1992 to 1993. Reconstruction policies and actions were implemented.
Singapore
- British rule of Singapore continued after the Second World War although there was a gradual devolution of power.
- Singapore joined the Federation of Malaya but, in 1963, it was expelled. Singapore gained full independence in 1965 and was a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1967. In 1970, Singapore joined the Non-Aligned Movement.
- Race riots broke out throughout the 1960s undermining attempts to create national unity.
- Singapore’s political development was aided by their strong market economy and the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.
Question
Discuss the factors that led to Taiwan’s economic success.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates are required to offer a considered and balanced review of the social, political and economic factors that led to Taiwan’s economic success in the second half of the 20th century.
Indicative content
- The Chinese Nationalists who fled to Taiwan took China’s gold reserves with them.
- Taiwan benefited from American protection from Communist China, economic aid from the US and support from overseas Chinese. In the years 1951 to 1962, US aid made up 30 per cent of all investment in Taiwan.
- Land was distributed to the people and by 1968, some 90 per cent of agricultural land was owned by those who worked on it, establishing a stable rural economy.
- Government planning also aided Taiwan’s development. The Four Year Plans for industry were initiated in 1963, which resulted in an annual growth rate of nearly 10 per cent for the following decade. By the 1980s, the government was less involved in economic planning and many industries were privatized.
- The economy was transformed from an agriculture-based economy in the 1950s to an industrial one by the 1980s.
- Universal education also helped to create a highly skilled workforce.
- By the 1980s, Taiwan’s industry was focused on electronic goods, which were highly desirable around the world.
- In the 1980s, a thaw in relations with China allowed access to Chinese markets.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.