Category: Outlines

How far would you agree that the Internet is helping to improve the health and well-being of society?

Keywords: ‘How far’ and ‘agree’ and ‘Internet’ and ‘improve’ and ‘health and well-being’.

  • Access to health information from around the world
  • Minor ailments can be self-diagnosed. People are well informed.
  • Encourages more self-awareness
  • People can share common health problems via social media
  • One can join specific groups, especially local support groups
  • Easy to download and print off medical information
  • Plenty of health instructions and videos posted online
  • Can encourage hypochondria and even misdiagnosis
  • Anything can be put on the Internet – selling of suspect medicines, blotched surgery and misinformation
  • People could perceive doctor or hospital visits as unnecessary
  • False information and conflicting information about exercise routines, diet and superfoods

Modern technology used in weapons and communications means that war is now far less likely. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

  • modern technology enables war to be conducted impersonally and at a distance (Read Article1 and Article 2)
  • weapons can act as a deterrent to war; the effects of their devastation are widely acknowledged
  • laser technology allows for greater accuracy of weapons
  • the purpose of satellite surveillance technology is defensive; designed to avoid war
  • in the hands of terrorists or a military dictator, weapons can be used aggressively and can provoke conflict
  • weapons do not cause war or keep the peace; that is the remit of those who control them
  • communication systems can direct weapons.
  • non-lethal weapons can be developed.

Developing countries should not adopt ‘green’ technology in light of other priorities. Discuss.

  • more urgent priorities could include problems concerning drought, famine and sickness
  • the lack of infrastructure and lack of education are also problems.
  • government may lack revenue and inward investment
  • ‘green’ technology is environmentally desirable but is expensive in start-up costs and often costly to run and produce benefits (Read Article)
  • poorer developing countries require cheap energy urgently to supply and support budding industries and commercial developments.
  • climate change impacts developed and developing countries. 
  • Strategic steps must be taken to mitigate climate change and environmental impact.

How difficult is it to feel optimistic, rather than pessimistic, about the future?

The future can be seen in optimistic ways, thanks to science and technology, or in pessimistic ways due to environmental changes.

  • Media tends to focus on negative events. Wide coverage of bad news all the time.
  • Media always shows that there is conflict somewhere in the world
  • Confidence in a country’s political stability and order is often brought to question
  • Future prospects for young people such as education and jobs is questionable
  • Negativity can result in depression and low self-esteem
  • Greater opportunities to change lifestyle exist when one migrates but there is no guarantee.
  • Future depends on personal circumstances and ambitions rather than wider issues

‘Wars do not resolve questions but create further disputes.’ Does this mean that war can never be justified?

• There are likely to be references to more than one war
• Arguments for resolutions of various conflicts may be advanced
• What might be defined as a ‘just war’?
• World War Two, for example, or the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Iraq wars, civil wars
• Examples of where negotiations and/or treaties have prevented conflict
• Distinctions may be drawn between ‘wars’ and terrorism
• The so-called ‘war on terror’ may be mentioned
• One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter
• Allow for thoughtful interpretations of the term ‘war’

‘Young people are sometimes treated as second-class citizens.’ How far would you agree?

Keywords: ‘Young people’ and ‘second-class citizens’ and ‘How far’.

  • Lack of rights for under 18s
  • Stereotyping of youth is prevalent
  • Most youth are seen as idealistic and labelled as irresponsible
  • Degree of parental control – excessive or liberal – can impact the family and the youth
  • The respect for youth and status in society is non existant
  • Facilities for young people (e.g. employment, youth organisations and counselling are inadequate
  • The degree of exploitation is very high for young people, particularly in employment setting as they are paid low wages or even coerced to work

Examine why some democratic countries find it difficult to hold ‘safe and fair’ elections.

Key words: ‘Examine’, ‘democratic’, ‘difficult’, ‘safe and fair’, elections’

• Change from dictatorship (Arab spring/Libya/Egypt)
• Instability (still supporters of the old regime)
• Elections are complex, involving a whole population (the problem of logistics)
• Open to bribery and corruption (the problem of independent monitoring)
• Violent intimidation prevents turnout
• It can appear a sham eg, present government manipulates the process to win re-election
• Tends to be difficult in developing countries –depends whether there is a tradition of democracy
• Cost and security of election booths
• Some response might choose to emphasise the fairness of the system via discussion of media involvement, smear campaigns etc.

‘Crime affects the whole of society, not just the immediate victims.’ Discuss.

  • Society can be defined as small groups. It is not necessary to view society as a big world.
  • Barometer of safety and security has to be maintained in a society.
  • Constant media coverage can instil fear among people.
  • Society’s monitoring of the victims of crime affects attitudes and confidence in the justice system
  • The impact of crime depends whether it is localised or happens in the same neighbourhood
  • It could also depend on whether the victims are known family, friends or neighbours
  • Society can view victims with indifference, as a reality show as if it couldn’t happen to them

‘There are alternative ways to feed the world other than through biotechnology.’ Discuss

Mass hunger still exists alongside a huge food surplus.

There is a need to highlight the politics of food, the ownership of resources, control of markets, and decision-making power.

Consideration of GM claims has increased yields but there is resistance to disease. Some critics say yield gains have been minimal and GM seed is expensive

Technology may decrease biodiversity and contribute to the evolution of superweeds and the consequent use of herbicides creates damage via pesticide drift.

People are still hungry due to economic marginalisation and political impotence

While GM food can solve the problem of hunger, science can encourage the neglect of other priorities; health, education, housing

Support should be given to smallholder farmers and landless rural workers – agro-ecology