Term

Definition

Human Rights

The rights that individuals are entitled to possess morally or legally for being human beings.

Free Trade

A system of trade where buyers and sellers are not limited by taxes on imports and exports

Fair Trade

A way of buying and selling products that aims to pay the producer a fair price

Humanitarian Aid

The material and logistic assistance, usually in an emergency, to people in need.

QUESTION

Human rights are effectively promoted and protected both globally and locally [15]

Introduction

• Human rights are the rights individuals are entitled to possess morally or legally for being human beings

• Despite the fact that there is an increasing awareness towards the importance of human rights, not everyone receives equal treatment

• I will be discussing how human rights are protected or breached and providing current examples in my essay

Paragraph 1 [AGAINST]

Paragraph 2 [AGAINST]

Paragraph 3 [FOR]

Paragraph 4 [FOR]

Conclusion

PROS

CONS

⭐Creates more job opportunities (e.g. manufacturing free trade products)

Loss of jobs to other countries (usually less-developed ones) that produce the goods more cheaply

⭐Products can be sold at competitive prices and countries can make more money

• Greater efficiency as competition is encouraged within the international market

⭐The protection of local industries may only benefit a small number of people

• Poor working conditions remain

Consumers have a wider choice of worldwide productions

⭐ Corrupt (dishonest or illegal) companies can make more money

Countries can specialise in making high-quality products they are good at

A competitive trading market makes it difficult for developing countries to compete

Higher total production

Deterioration of natural resources, e.g. timber, minerals

The policy doesn’t state a country has to stop controlling and taxing imports and exports

PROS

CONS

⭐Safe working conditions

• Specific criteria referring to worker safety + rights

• Reasonable working hours

• Freedom from child labour

• Protection from hazardous material

Concerns over working conditions remain

A fair price is paid for output

⭐Fewer people can afford to buy the products as they are more expensive

Forced labour is forbidden

Businesses might make less money

⭐Fair trade premiums (an extra payment) are given to workers who join

-> encouraging community development

A joining fee is required to become Fairtrade certified

Environmentally friendly practices

Success is limited and fairtrade doesn’t benefit wider communities

PROS

CONS

More detailed assessment than GDP - Other than income, considers health and education

-> highlighting that these criteria are equally important

It doesn’t consider other crucial factors of human development (e.g. human rights, political freedom, and income inequality)

It allows comparison between countries and prompts debates on policy priorities to improve outcomes on human development

The education factor is heavily focused on literacy rates and not the quality of education.

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

Goes beyond GDP - life expectancy, experienced well-being, and ecological footprint used for measurement

-> more holistic view of how a country is caring for citizens’ well being

May be biassed - Some areas are disregarded (e.g. human rights, political freedom)

-> influencing the accuracy and representativeness of happiness levels + global inequalities

Encourages countries to balance ecological health (enhancing happiness but minimising environmental harm)

-> consider the effects of their policies + practices

Happiness and satisfaction are subjective and individual

-> may not be suitable for measuring political matters

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

It provides a detailed and transparent measure of a country’s economic activity

-> consumption, investment, government spending, and net exports

It doesn’t account for non-market or non-payment activities (e.g. volunteer work)

-> underestimates GDP level

It allows comparisons of economic development between countries over time

It doesn’t reflect the satisfaction/quality of citizens’ lives

-> only measures economic output

PROS

CONS

Remittances - The goods and money migrates (e.g. helpers), sent back to their families and friends back at home

Example - 40 billion USD goes to the Philippines as remittances from migrants

Brain drain

Example - Due to the lack of development in the Philippines, people who received high education are unable to find high income jobs and opportunities

Available jobs and skill gaps can be filled

Example - Korea formed an employment permit system and an agreement with 15 Asian countries, granting temporary migration for people to take on unskilled or semi-skilled job opportunities

Jobs that exploit migrants

Example - In Hong Kong, a small number domestic helpers may not have regular day offs

PUSH FACTORS

PULL FACTORS

Searching for a better environment (e.g. education, healthcare)

Prefer the culture and traditions

Finance and trading (e.g. high tax)

Low crime rate (more safe)

Wars/conflict - safety reasons

Low tax

Political reasons (e.g. lack of freedom)

Work/life balance

Bad/unstable climate (e.g. rain)

Stable climate

Push Factors

Examples (source or experience)

⭐Wars/conflict

Ukraine is currently at war with Russia, making it unsafe for citizens.

- Approximately 50,000 casualties in total

- Psychological effects (mental illness)

- Financial effects (destroyed property)

- Possessing a social strife (disagreement) may lead to consequences

- Political turmoil (confusion, disorder)

⭐Dense population

Bangladesh has a high population density, leading to problems within.

- People living in coastal areas vulnerable to effects of climate change (e.g. sea level rise, flooding, storms)

- Traffic congestion

- Deforestation + natural resource degradation -> more resources required

- Food insecurity as high demand for food -> poverty rate increases

- Increased health risks -> widespread diseases and less developed health services

Unemployment

As of 2022, South Africa is ranked one of the top 5 countries with the highest unemployment rate.

Historical factor - Ever since apartheid era, there were policies and segregation that caused issues of unemployment.

There is a poor education system which doesn’t match with demands of the labour market, causing youth to be unequipped with skills -> youth unemployment.

COVID-19 pandemic - lockdown measures restricted economic activity.

Pull Factors

Examples (source or experience)

Low crime rate

• Safer environment for citizens

According to the Global Peace Index, Iceland has the lowest crime rate.

- It has a small homogenous population, which strengthens the citizens’ sense of community and responsibility.

Free healthcare

Brazil provides free healthcare

More job opportunities

Hong Kong is a modernised area with many opportunities for working

Human causes

Natural causes

• Burning fossil fuels releases CO₂, increasing the temperature of the Earth

• Volcanic eruptions release greenhouse gases (e.g. sulphur + CO₂) and produce huge ash clouds that block sunlight.

• Deforestation causes CO₂ stored in trees to be released, due to the loss of vegetation oxygen levels decrease

• Orbital changes cause periods where Earth is closer to or further away from the sun, changing the Earth's climate drastically.

• Farming (e.g. growing crops or rearing animals) releases greenhouse gases from methane and nitrous oxide which traps heat.

• Meteorite collisions release tonnes of greenhouse gases and dust, which prevent radiation from sun and decreasing the temperature

• Cement, which is used for construction contributes to 2% of CO₂ emissions.

• Solar sunspots increases solar radiation, which increases the temperature on Earth

• Forest fires could be caused by the rising temperatures

QUESTION

“It’s the government’s responsibility to stop climate change, not mine. How far do you agree with this view? [15]

Introduction

1. Climate change -> long term shift in Earth’s average temperatures + weather patterns

2. Affects human and animal health + environment overall

3. I will discuss to what extent I agree with the government being responsible for stopping climate change.

Paragraph 1 [AGAINST]

1. All humans contribute to climate change so not only government’s responsibility

2. According to the UN, 75% of greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate change.

Example: According to 2022, China is the largest carbon dioxide emitting countries in the world (1.1 billion metric tons)

1. A main factor of these emissions are that industries burn fossil fuels to generate electricity + heat

Paragraph 2 [AGAINST]

1. Citizens should take responsibility for the mitigation of the negative effects of human activities through individual actions (e.g. driving less, reducing energy use and waste)

2. Organisations and charities can help campaign + encourage volunteers -> spread awareness about this issue

Example: Greenpeace is an example of an NGO that envisions a greener planet for future generations and strives to protect it through investigations and revealing the causes of destruction towards our environment.

Paragraph 3 [FOR]

1. The government should be responsible for protecting citizens and maintain human rights

Paragraph 4 [FOR]

Conclusion