SSA1203

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

SSA1203. Singapore, Asia, and American Power

(Semester 1: 2013/2014)


Name of Examiner: A/P Itty Abraham

Time Allowed: 2 Hours
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INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES


1. Please write your matriculation/registration number only. Do not write
your name.


2. This examination paper consists of THREE sections, A, B, and C, and
comprises TWO printed pages


3. Answer ALL questions from Section A
Answer THREE questions from Section B
Answer ONE question from Section C


4. Please start each question on a new page.


5. This is a CLOSED BOOK assessment.

SSA1203 Singapore, Asia, and American Power Page 2

Section A (Each answer worth 1 mark)

Please answer ALL of the following questions:

1. What was Operation Ajax?
2. What does PNAC stand for?
3. Who are the new seven sisters?
4. What is the meaning of gerrymandering?
5. Name the geopolitical choke point closest to Singapore.


Section B (Each answer worth 15 marks)

Please answer THREE (3) of the following four questions:

1. What is soft power? Does Singapore have soft power? Illustrate your
answer with at least one example of Singaporean soft power.

2. Some observers see the United States as an empire, others as a state
promoting liberal internationalism. What is the difference between these
two positions? Give two examples of liberal internationalism as
practiced by the United States.

3. What are the domestic sources of US foreign policy? Illustrate your
answer with at least three examples.

4. What are drones? Why have they become increasingly popular? What
are the potential costs for US foreign policy of continuing to use drones?


Section C (Answer worth 50 marks)

Please answer ONE (1) of the following two questions:

1. What are the reasons why oil is considered a vital interest for US foreign
policy? Is this condition likely to change in the short-term future? Is this
condition likely to change in the long-term future? Explain why.


2. What are the four archetypes of US foreign policy? What does each stand
for? Which archetype(s) best explains the US invasion of Iraq? Which
archetype(s) best explains the formation of the United Nations? Explain
why.


END OF PAPER