How can a country protect itself from the cross-border threats globalisation brings?
Explain how a country and its people can respond to the security threats of globalisation, such as disease, terrorism and crime, through cooperation, preparation and vigilance
A scaffolded answer to how Singapore responds to the security threats of globalisation. International cooperation, national preparation, laws and enforcement, and public vigilance against disease, terrorism and cross-border crime.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point asks you to explain how a country and its people can respond to the security threats of globalisation, such as disease, terrorism and cross-border crime. The examiner wants you to show that because these threats cross borders, responding to them needs international cooperation, national preparation, laws and enforcement, and the vigilance of ordinary people. A strong answer explains these responses and makes the key point that security in a globalised world is a shared effort between the government and citizens.
The answer
Working with other countries
Because the threats of globalisation cross borders, no country can tackle them alone, so cooperation with other countries is essential. Countries share information about disease outbreaks, terrorism and crime, coordinate their responses, and agree common rules. For example, during a global disease outbreak, countries share data and work together to slow its spread. International cooperation lets a country tap the knowledge and effort of many, which is more effective than acting alone against a global threat.
Preparing and protecting at home
A country responds by preparing itself so it can cope when a threat arrives. This means building strong healthcare and emergency systems to handle outbreaks, training and equipping security forces against terrorism and crime, and having plans ready for crises. Preparation matters because threats can strike quickly, and a country that is ready can limit the damage, protect its people, and recover faster. Being prepared turns a potential disaster into a manageable problem.
Laws, enforcement and security measures
A country can respond with laws and enforcement aimed at cross-border threats: laws against terrorism and the financing of extremism, action against cross-border crime and scams, border and cyber security, and cooperation between agencies. These measures detect and stop threats, and they set clear limits. Firm but fair enforcement protects the public while keeping the country open enough to enjoy the benefits of being connected.
Public vigilance and cooperation
Security is not only the government's job; ordinary people play a vital part. Citizens help by staying alert and reporting suspicious activity, following safety measures during a crisis, protecting themselves against scams, and refusing to spread panic, rumours or extremist ideas. When the public cooperates, official measures work far better. Because threats such as disease, crime and extremism reach into everyday life, everyone has a role in keeping the country safe.
Examples in context
Example 1. Cooperating during a disease outbreak. When a disease spreads globally, countries share information and coordinate measures, while a prepared country uses its healthcare system and crisis plans to protect its people. This shows responding to a cross-border health threat through cooperation and preparation.
Example 2. Guarding against terrorism and scams. Through security agencies, laws, and public alertness, a country can detect and prevent terrorism and cross-border scams. Campaigns urging the public to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity show citizens playing their part, linking to the role of individuals and the government in responding.
Try this
Q1. State two security threats that globalisation can bring, and one response to them. [2 marks]
- Cue. Threats: for example the spread of disease and cross-border terrorism or crime. Response: for example international cooperation, national preparation, or public vigilance.
Q2. Explain why responding to global security threats needs cooperation between countries. [3 marks]
- Cue. Because threats such as disease, terrorism and crime cross borders, no country can tackle them alone, so sharing information and coordinating action with other countries is more effective than acting by itself.
Q3. Explain one way ordinary citizens can help protect their country from global security threats. [3 marks]
- Cue. By staying alert and reporting suspicious activity, following safety measures during a crisis, guarding against scams, or refusing to spread rumours and extremist ideas, citizens make official security measures far more effective.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of SEAB exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Original6 marksExplain two ways a country can respond to the security threats brought by globalisation.Show worked answer →
Way 1: working with other countries. Because threats cross borders, countries can cooperate by sharing information and coordinating action against threats such as disease and terrorism. This matters because no country can tackle a global threat alone.
Way 2: preparing and protecting at home. A country can prepare by building strong healthcare and emergency systems, training security forces, and having plans ready for crises. This matters because being prepared limits the damage when a threat arrives.
What markers reward: two clear responses (international cooperation, national preparation, laws and enforcement, public vigilance), each with a short explanation. A relevant example such as cooperating during a disease outbreak strengthens the answer.
Original7 marksExplain why responding to the security threats of globalisation requires both the government and ordinary people.Show worked answer →
Reason 1: the government provides the systems. The government builds healthcare, security and emergency systems, passes laws, and cooperates with other countries, which are things only it can do on a large scale.
Reason 2: ordinary people provide vigilance and cooperation. Citizens help by staying alert, reporting suspicious activity, following safety measures during a crisis, and not spreading panic or rumours. Without public cooperation, official measures are less effective.
Reason 3: threats reach into daily life. Disease, scams and extremism affect ordinary people directly, so everyone has a part to play in staying safe and supporting one another.
What markers reward: two or three reasons showing that security is a shared effort (government systems, public vigilance, threats reaching daily life), each explained, and a clear conclusion that responding needs both. A short example lifts the answer.
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