Social Studies (Governance in Singapore)

Hi. This, a later post, is going to touch on the topic on governance in Singapore. As required in the project, I am going to give views on a policy that portrays and one of the principles of governance.

Touching upon this point, principals of governance, I have incidentally found this website with an edited extract of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's address to the Commonwealth Association of Public Administration and Management Biennial Conference, Singapore, 24 October 2004. http://www.mfa.gov.sg/experience/Oct2004/Images/perspective.pdf

This extract talks about Prime Minster Lee Hsien Loong's perspective on principles of Governance. It talks about Singapore's four principals which summarizes our experience and value.

1. Leadership is Key
2. Anticipate Change and Stay relevant
3. Reward for Work, and Work for Reward
4. A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All
   

As, extracted from the extract,
" Successful governance must have at its core a set of principles or values that are enduring and relevant to the people living in that society, Strategies and tactics may change, but principles are anchors that give governments a firm footing even in uncertain or turbulent times. "

And this, explains:

1. Why are principals necessary
2. Why most, if not all, policies are made closely linked to these principles

There are policy that are clearly based on these four principles, and examples are: Meritocracy, Forward Looking and Pragmatism.

Now, here, I am going to talk about meritocracy.

What is meritocracy?

• It is a system of government or other organization based on demonstrated ability and talent rather than by wealth, family connections, class privilege, cronyism or other historical determinants of social position and political power. (extracted from wikipedia)

This policy is closely related to the third principle mentioned "Reward for Work, and Work for Reward".

Benefits of this policy

• There will be no favoritisms
  
• No corruption
• You get what you work for

Cons of this policy

• The society will get very competitive

Yes, indeed, there are benefits of this policy. In which for this policy, the benefits are that the government and workforce of Singapore's society will be "clean". The public will be able to trust the efficiency and competency of the Government. They will be sure that the people in the Government will be of the right choice and that non of them got in due to connection or bribery. This is unlike some other countries where corruption is everywhere. For example, if you speed or done something which arouse the attention of the police, as long as you have the money, it can be settled. This is too what sets Singapore apart from some other countries. Our is of one that no corruption can hope to blacken it as punishment towards corrupter are strict and rigidly enforced. In addition, everyone who hope to be the best will have to work for it, and with this strong competition between the people, it will lead to an increase in economy and will awaken the true potential of oneself.

Yet, like everything, this policy have its pros and cons. This con however, it is of perspective. However, I believe that this con does exist. The con of this policy is that it will cause the society to be too competitive.

Why? Why then you may ask. Didn't you said that it is this competitiveness which lead to the rise of the economy?

Yes, yes. It does lead to an increase to the ecomony. However, this problem that it causes is not of economically based, but actually inter-relation based. This problem is that it will cause tension between people. Although, it does not affect the economy, socially-wise it does cause problems. Leading to an inevitable problem that everyone will be so intense with competing with each other that there might be no time in socializing.

In conclusion, I feel that even though theres a con, this is a must have policy. With regards to the con, it is based on oneself how they can adjust to this themselves.