How important is self-reliance? Discuss.

Point Self-reliance is vital in the governance of any country as one nation cannot be dependent on another for survival, due to the Machiavellian nature of countries. Example USA is making huge spending cuts to its military programme and shutting down its space shuttle programme in order to reduce its budget deficit. Other countries around the world are not rushing to help solve the huge deficit that USA faces as they have their own internal debts to handle. Instead of relying on other countries to help solve its problem, USA is making cuts to its own spending to manage its budget problems and this is where self-reliance is vital as it helps a country solve its own internal issues. In Singapores meritocratic society, one is rewarded according to his achievements. Top scorers of national exams such as the A levels and O levels are often self-reliant, taking their own initiative to study more on their own than what they are thought in order to expand their knowledge and be better than others. In Singapore, natural resources are scarce and hence, being self-reliant and efficiently using our existing resources is not enough. Hence, we Elaboration Each country has its own interests and gives greater priority to them before attending to the needs of other countries. Hence, selfreliance is necessary for the government of a country to solve its internal issues and run its own country efficiently. Link Hence, self-reliance is very important in the governance of a nation as it allows a nation to be more independent in its survival and safeguard its own sovereignty.

Self-reliance is vital at the individual level in a meritocratic society in order to push oneself to his limits and excel. This could result in achievements which are then deservingly rewarded. Self-reliance is less important in instances where nations are heavily dependent on

Being self-reliant allows individuals to realize their capabilities as an individual and achieve great things on their own accord. In a meritocratic society, these achievements are then recognized as the individuals accomplishments and are rewarded.

Hence, self-reliance is very important at the individual level in the case of a meritocratic society as it would allow an individual to excel above others.

Being self-reliant is not enough in such instances as countries face geographical limitations such as the lack of natural resources which affect the development of

Hence, self-reliance is not as important in some instances and as being dependent on others in such instances is more useful.

other nations. Hence, self-reliance would be of less important to these countries which are dependent on other countries. Self reliance is of lesser importance when international issues are to be dealt with as countries need to rely on each other to solve these issues.

import most of our raw materials for our export industries to manufacture products that are exported to the rest of the world and help boost our economy. The situation of global warming cannot be improved by the mere efforts of a self-reliant country that has excellent measure to reduce carbon emissions. Since the world climate is a global good, every country has a shared responsibility in safeguarding it and hence, every country relies on every other nation to do its part and reduce carbon emissions so as to reduce global carbon emissions as a whole.

the country. Hence, the only solution is to rely on others for these resources, which could be used for the development of the country.

Countries cannot just rely on their own efforts to tackle such international issues as such measures would simply not be enough to solve them.

Hence, self-reliance is of lesser importance when it comes to achieving global aims like improved world climate as increased collaboration is more important in such instances.