AQ----PAN JIEMING------10S403

In the first passage, the author made it very clear that murder and violence are higher in nations with largerincome inequality. This is partly true, as people sometimes do react to unfairness with extreme criminal actions. Take for instance, when the poor have no food and basic necessities for survival, the only thing they can do is to steal cheat and beg. The problem worsen when they notice how the rich has been wasting the food and enjoying themselves. When such thing happens, they may become frustrated at the unfairness of life and indulge in crime. Sure enough, this is an issue closely related to criminal violence. However, this is not so much of an concerning issue to my society in Singapore. First of all, Singapore has a very strong economy where there is rarely any economic crisis. Citizens are able to earn a living in the toughest World wide economic recession. Then, the government has given every citizen despite their differences the same welfare. Medisave, Medifund etc are given to all the citizens to ensure equal rights of every individual. So to the poor, basic necessities like healthcare and education are ensured. Funds are set up to help the needy as well. Therefore, in Singapore, this issue isn't such a concern compared to other country in world.

In the second passage, the author claims that "the riots are geographically and socially very circumscribed: all are occuring in about 100 suburbs, or more precisely, destitute neighbourhoods". This is a reaction from the cultural minority when they feel that they are unfairly treated. It is likely due to the social and economic exclusion to the different minor race which cause the riots. The issue here is that it is hard to achieve racial harmony. The minority race or culture always feel discriminated and wanting to be treated fairly. However, the majority may not think its necessary. When the tension between the different cultural group builds up, a little spark is all it takes to start a riot. Similarly in Singapore, a multiracial society, have a history of riots between the Chinese and Malay due to tension and misunderstanding. This is indeed an issue of Singapore's concern. That is why, the government are adopting all kinds of measures to promote racial harmony. The country will fall if it faces internal struggle each day. Thus it is important and necessary to keep Singapore harmonious.

In conclusion, there are many issues relating to criminal violence, economic and social especially. It is important to solve these root of the problem in order to lower crime rates. It is the responsibility of every government to ensure fairness and safety in the nation.

AQ/Tan Ping Hao/10s403

I feel that both the first author's point of murder and violence being higher in nations with the largest income inequality and the second author's point of riots and crime occuring in destitute neighbourhoods are not very applicable to the Singaporean context in our present society.

In the first passage, the author states that "murder and violence are higher in nations with the largest income inequality." This may be because the large income gap in society creates pressure for the poor as they fight for survival. In some countries, the poor and rich live in seperate societies even though they come from the same country, and form a hierachy. People from the upper caste are able to receive education, unlike the lower caste who can't afford it. Thus, while the upper caste are educated on both academics and moral values, the lower caste are only educated on how to survive using their own abilities. Thus, when faced with pressure, these people may end up resorting to violence and even crime when faced with desperation for wealth and survival. An example of a country like this is South Africa, where the lower caste have to fight tooth and nail for survival. However, since there is very little or no income disparity in Singapore, this is not very applicable to the Singaporean context. Though it is true that the income levels across various occupations in Singapore differ, everyone is subjected to at least secondary school level education and are taught moral values from young. Everyone in Singapore thus has the ability to hold jobs that allow them to live adequately. Thus, income and economic disparity is eliminated. Therefore, it cannot be used as a reason for violence and murder cases occuring in Singapore, if any.

In the second passage, the author claims that "the riots are geographically and socially very circumscribed: all are occuring in about 100 suburbs, or more precisely, destitute neighbourhoods". This could be because the poor feel that it is unfair and they had received biased and ill treatment by the rich, for example, discrimmination, so they form riots as a form of resisting and to win back their rights. Again, I feel that this is inapplicable to the present Singapore society as "destitute neighbourhoods" are a minority, or rarity, in Singapore. Singapore, being a prosperous country, enjoys a high standard of living. The government also offers help to those Singaporeans who need financial aid. Thus, it is nearly impossible to have destitute neighbourhoods in our country. Furthermore, the Singapore government has also set strict rules and regulations regarding riots in Singapore, following the aftermath of disasterous riots like the Maria Hertough riot. Thus, rioting in Singapore is never seen in the present, so this author's point cannot be applied to the Singaporean context.