Note-taking Document

2023 JC2 T2W3 Lecture Series on Conflict

Conflict: Causes and Types of Conflict

TAB 1:

In this lecture on conflicts, we are exploring the reasons that lead to conflicts within a society.

We will primarily explore:

1) Conflicts between people and government
2) Conflicts between people and corporations
3) Conflict of interests between countries

These three areas will be explored with the help of three different A-Level essay questions.

TAB 2: Part 1A – People vs Government

‘Power these days lies more with the people than the politicians.’ To what extent is this true?
(2021)

Comparison Question: Discuss reasons why one may have more power than the other.
Context: These days (What factors today assist in giving one power?)
- social media
- consumerist demands
- a better educated global population understanding their rights
- people’s increased expectations of what democratic rule is about
- migration
- a country’s context – controlled or free

View: Power these days lies more with the people than politicians.

Key Arguments Examples

1. Increasingly, social media

has made it easier for
ordinary citizens to fight
for causes, even bringing
down politicians through
their collective will.

2. People around the world

are demanding fast
action/solution, especially
against corruption, that
leaves many political

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 leaders unable to keep up
with these.

3. An ever-consuming and
ever-moving population —
with access to more
resources and information
than ever before — has
also undergone a massive
cognitive and emotional
transformation to
challenge prevailing
politicians’ views

View: Power these days lies more with the politicians than people.

Key Arguments Examples

1. They still have the power

to make or break society.

2. In countries that are more

controlled by a dominant/
single party, they hold the
resources to mobilise
physical force to control
the population. 

3. When politicians have

credibility and are at least
as savvy as people online,
politicians can maintain
influence over the public.

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TAB 3: Part 1B – People vs Corporations

How far should firms be allowed to limit their workers’ rights when profits are at        
stake? (2014)

Conditional Question: Condition is profits at stake

Context: workers’ rights (daily wages, work environment and safety, work hours)

View: Firms should limit their workers’ rights due to profit-related reasons when:

Key Arguments Examples

1. Profits are a measurement

of the firms’ economic
performances and are
essential to keep
businesses functioning and
operating.

2. They have a financial

responsibility to their
investors as well as a
commercial commitment
to their clients.

3. Firms need to push their

workers to meet deadlines
to honour contracts.

View: Firms should not limit their workers’ rights for the sake of profits EVEN WHEN profits are
seemingly at risk:

Key Arguments Examples

1. Some aspects of the rights

are seen as inalienable,
basic or fundamental as
compared to profits.

TAB 4: Part 1C – Conflict of Interests between countries

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How far should countries have relations with others whose human rights record is poor? (2019)
Simple Polarity
Context: Countries with poor human rights record and international relations

View: Countries should not have relations because:

Key Arguments Examples

1. The country is seen to

violate the Universal
Declaration of Human
Rights which is seen as
inalienable by most
countries.

2. The international
community has a moral
duty to pressure the
country’s leaders into
looking after its citizens.

3. When sanctions are

imposed on a country with
a poor human rights
record, countries who
have relations with it can
also suffer sanctions or
other reprisals.

View: Countries should have relations because:

Key Arguments Examples

1. The continued goodwill

stands to further the
economic interests of the
country with a poor
human rights record which
might actually improve the
lives of people even for
those who might have
suffered. 

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2. There are economic
benefits to be reaped
without infringing on the
rights of citizens in either
country.

3. There is no obligation for

the external parties to care
about the oppressed
citizens of countries with
poor human rights record.