Maxz Ho (14) Wayne Koh (25) Guang Yu (7) Essay Presentation Maxz Ho (14) Wayne Koh (25) Guang Yu (7)

Topic ‘Given the ever-increasing pace of globalisation, it is imperative that governments make every effort to instil a strong sense of patriotism in their citizens.' How far do you agree?

Introduction The rapid pace of globalization encourages integration of people and cultures, breaking down physical barriers and introducing inter-connectedness among people. Under the umbrella of globalisation, cultures can now transcend geographical boundaries as people can travel to faraway places more conveniently, Macdonaldising the world.

Introduction (cont’d) The question then arises – is there a need to instil a strong sense of patriotism? Given that patriotism engenders/facilitates inter-racial harmony and cohesiveness, gives people a sense of belonging to their country regardless of they are and preserves a country’s culture, I agree that it is indeed imperative that governments make every effort to instil a strong sense of patriotism in their citizens.

Point 1 (For) Topic Sentence: Globalisation increases the risk of intolerance and racial tension due to the melting pot of cultures in society. Elaboration: Globalisation introduces competition with the increase of commerce trade from all over the world, diluting a society with the influx of foreigners. It is therefore imperative that governments ensure that people who come and settle down will be able to integrate into the society and live together cohesively and peacefully.

Point 1 (For) (cont’d) Examples: Singapore – Xenophobia syndrome (Amy Cheong, NTUC Assistant Director, 2012) USA – Melting pot of cultures (Racial conflicts since colonial/slave era) This shows that intolerance between members of society will result in tensions that may spark conflicts and violent confrontations that end in bloodshed. Link: This stresses the importance of a sense of patriotism, as it allows citizens to be united as they possess a common sense of belonging. However, even if one is not citizen, it is encouraged to assimilate and immerse themsleves in the local culture so that they will not be a hindrance to the society.

Point 2 (For) Topic Sentence: Nationalism, the weaker cousin of globalisation, gives people a sense of belonging to their country regardless of where they are. Elaboration: Given the increasing pace of globalization, it is not uncommon to see people going overseas to work. If they had no sense of belonging to the country and did not intend to return or contribute in any way, the country would face a serious problem as their skills are still important to the country’s continued development and prosperity.

Point 2 (For) Example: There are approximately 200,000 Singaporeans living abroad, according to a 2012 study conducted by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. If they do not intend to return home, this means that we would have lost potentially 2 to 4% of the total eligible work force of Singaporeans. It is perhaps for this reason that the government has put in every effort possible to instill a sense of patriotism and nationalism in citizens. If more and more Singaporeans were to have no sense of belonging to the country, and left overseas and never returned, Singapore would face a shortage of local manpower. This, coupled with an ageing population, will deal a severe blow to the country’s development in the long run.

Point 3 (For) In the face of many alternative cultures introduced to our society by globalisation, patriotism fends off the influence of foreign cultures by preserving a country’s unique culture, traditions, lifestyle, language and historical heritage and developing a strong love of the country. Elaboration: The survival of a nation is largely dependent on the sense of patriotism, culture, values, and language of the nation. As more people migrate to foreign countries, risks that a country may lose itself into history and its culture being diluted are ever increasing. Globalisation blends worldwide cultures but it does not give same quantity of focus. It is important for citizens to remember their origins, be able to use their own language, understand the evolution of the nation and respect the history. By developing love and loyalty to their countries, they are able to maintain and reinforce their unique ways of doing things.

Point 3 Example: Singapore’s bilingualism education system English is taught and used for communication Mother tongue language is taught as a second language to connect people with their cultural backgrounds Through a holistic way of teaching, students are able to be more appreciative of their cultures and Singapore as a nation They are able to understand their uniqueness of Singapore and be proud of themselves as Singaporeans

Counter-argument Topic Sentence: Instilling a sense of patriotism in citizens can create a sense of ethnocentrism This makes the people more willing to accept dangerous, supremacist ideologies. People can persuaded into hating other groups or countries, instead of thinking for themselves. When the population is less educated or less informed, this herd mentality can be more pronounced.

Counter-argument (cont’d) However, such an argument fails to consider the positive effects brought about when instilling patriotism is done appropriately so that it does not become propaganda. The aim of instilling patriotism is not to make the people feel smug about their country, but to develop in the people civic virtues that are essential to nurturing citizens who are concerned and committed to improving the country’s well-being. The Singapore government has for this reason introduced National Education, doing it appropriately so that it stops short of becoming propaganda.

Conclusion In conclusion, the beneifits of inculcating a strong sense of patriotism outweigh the potential threat of national superiority. Hence, it is imperative for governments to instil patriotism in their citizens. Through national education and the means of new media, governments are able to make citizens be more aware and proud of their unique cultures and thus, feel a sense of belonging to the country. This also ensures that governments are able to better maintain social stability and boost the development of the country.